Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past

In this episode, I refer to an article written by Elizabeth Neumeyer in her book 'What's in a Name' on some of the history of 1916 in Battle Creek, Michigan. It was an interesting time where the automobiles were still new, and there were to live theaters in town, along with 5 movie theaters, fountains and so much more around Battle Creek. It is a fascinating snapshot into the past. For more information on tickets for the events mentioned in this epside, visit: https://bcrhm.eventbrite.com For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Mike Cox joins me from the Eaton County Historical Commission on the subject of the history of Native American Removal in Eaton County in the 1840's.  We also discuss some other local history in Eaton County, as well as museums and programs for the coming year. For more information on the Eaton County Historical Commission, visit: https://eatoncountyhistory.org For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://MichaelDelaware.com

Join me as I explore the forgotten story of a murder that happened on the plank road between Battle Creek and Bedford Township Michigan on a cold December night in 1855. To watch the video I mention on Plank Roads and Barney's Tavern, click here: https://youtu.be/EeHZW02_BSA For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In 1998, Peter N. Stearns wrote an essay for the American Historical Association entitled 'Why Study History?' This essay defines comprehensively and clearly why a study of history is important.  He also describes the 'Labratory of the Human Experience'  that one gains access to when they do make a careful study of the subject. Join me as I read this amazing essay and discuss its import. To read the essay online, visit: https://www.historians.org/about-aha-and-membership/aha-history-and-archives/historical-archives/why-study-history-(1998) For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Dennis Skupinski from Michigan's Military Heritage Museum in Jackson, Michigan joins me to talk about the story of Rosie the Riveter.  We also explore some other history of Michigan women in wartime. For more information about the Michigan Military Heritage Museum, visit: https://mimhm.org/ For tickets to the Phenomenal Woman show at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/517666673957 For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Marshall, Michigan was once known as 'Patent Medicine Town' and one time had as many as 50 different patent medicine businesses.  The F. A. Stuart Company was founded by Frank Alfred Stuart, and it existed between 1893 - 1956.  In this episode I explore the history of the F.A. Stuart Company and some of the history of the Patent Medicine Industry, of which Marshall had some of the leading manufacturers during its peak years. Here is the link to the article mentioned in this episode 'Patent Medicine Town a Social History of Patent Medicines in Marshall, Michigan'  written by Teresa Lou Trupino in 1985. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore stories of early pioneer baseball in Michigan, and also the life of James Thomas 'Deacon' McGuire, AKA Jim 'Deacon' McGuire a professional baseball player from the 19th & 20th century who played for 26 years.  McGuire was considered one of the most durable catchers in his era, and is often referred to as a player who changed the game for the catchers who followed him.  He lived in Albion, Michigan and played baseball all over the midwest and east coast during his long career. To watch the video on Riverside Cemetery where I cover the life of James Thomas McGuire, visit: https://youtu.be/ARCdU6K6OBQ For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I interview three members of the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County on the subject of truths and myths of the Underground Railroad. The James E. Bonine House, the Bonine Carriage House, and the Stephen Bogue House are all properties preserved and maintained by the URSCC.  The organization recently purchased in 2022 the Brownsville School, which they are beginning restoration on.  All of this interesting history is explored in this episode, along with stories of the period. For more information on the URSCC, visit: https://www.urscc.org To help with the Brownsville School project, visit: www.brownsvilleschool.org For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

John me as I explore the life of Henry Rowe Schoolcraft (1793 - 1864) who was a geographer, geologist and ethnologist noted for his early studies of Native American cultures as well as several expeditions into the wilderness of the Northwest Territory, including Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Edward Tiffin was the first Governor of Ohio.  He was later a U.S. Senator, and eventually was appointed by President Madison to be the Chief Land Surveyor of the Northwest Territory, of which Michigan was a part.  A medical doctor by trade, and also an itinerant preacher, Tiffin conducted a survey of the territories of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin between 1814 - 1816 as part of an plan to make land available to veterans of the War of 1812 as payment for their services.  He returned his survey to the War Department in December of 1816, with a favorable report for Indiana and Illinois, but an very unfavorable one for Michigan.  This impacted the early view in the East of Michigan being mostly a swamp land with very little prospects for farming.   This view did not change until the results came in of the Lewis Cass Expedition in 1820.   This episode the life of Edward Tiffin and the survey that impacted Michigan. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I interview Mac McCollough from the Willard Library, and we discuss the great historians of Battle Creek.  We cover some of the earliest writers of history from the pioneer period all the way to present day.  We also talk about some of the other great resources soon to come to the Willard Library archives.

In this episode I explore an article written and published by historian Charles E. Barnes in the Sunday Record on April 19, 1908 entitled 'Escaped Slaves Found a Safe Haven in Battle Creek Before the War'.  Charles Barnes was born in 1848 and grew up in Battle Creek.  He entered the newspaper business at a young age, and met many of the people he writes about in this article.  In the last few years of his life, he authored several detailed articles on local Battle Creek and regional history from the pioneer period. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of the Binder Family in Battle Creek.  Today in Battle Creek there is the Binder Park Zoo and the Binder Park Golf course, but many people probably do not know the history of this family in Battle Creek.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I interview Donna Rickman, Jill McCombs and Bobbie Mathis on the subject of women's history in Calhoun County.  Donna, Jill and Bobbie are all performing in an upcoming program at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum on Saturday, March 25th at 2:00 PM called 'Phenomenal Woman'. Tickets for the performance can be purchased online at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/517666673957 Tickets an also be purchased at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum at 307 W. Jackson St, Battle Creek, MI 49037 and also at the Art Center of Battle Creek located at 265 E Emmett St, Battle Creek, MI 49017 A second performance may be added.  For details on this, it will be posted at: https://BCRHM.Eventbrite.com For more information about the Battle Creek Regional History Museum and to sign up for their newsletter, visit: https://www.BCRHM.org For more information on the Union City Society for Historic Preservation, visit: https://www.facebook.com/ucshp To contact or find out more about Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In 1875 in downtown Battle Creek, Michigan a murder happened in the middle of the day in October in a saloon at the corner of Jefferson and Main Street.  The man killed was described as a giant of a man, and his killer had fled down the street.  The trial that followed would reveal the story of a card game that erupted into a bar fight, which turned into a stabbing and a murder.  The details revealed in the trial offered a description of the bar scene in the city during the gilden age in Calhoun County. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Between 1867 to 1930 Kalamazoo was one of three cities in the U.S. that manufactured windmills for farms.  Windmills are structures that converted wind power into rotational energy using vanes called sails or blades, and they were in the early days made of wood, and in later years made of metal.  They were essential tools on farms for grinding grain in gristmills, and later became replaced by more modern technology.   In this episode, I take a journey through this history of this industry in Kalamazoo, Michigan. To read the article on the Kalamazoo Library website that was referenced in this episode, go here: https://www.kpl.gov/local-history/kalamazoo-history/business/windmill-industry-in-kalamazoo/ For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I welcome back Amberrose Hammond to Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past to talk about her book Wicked Ottawa County.  She tells us stories of murder, intrigue and jealous lovers who make up her collection of morbid tales of the county just West of Grand Rapids.  She also discusses her upcoming projects and plans for 2023.   For more information Amberrose Hammond, visit her website at: https://mysteriousmichigan.com/ To get a copy of her book on Amazon, visit: https://amzn.to/3l67kgN For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of Branch County newspapers that existed between 1837 to the 1880's.  The Michigan Star was the first one published in 1837 in the Village of Branch, and through the years there was the Coldwater Observer, The Branch County Democrat, the Coldwater Sentinel, The Branch County Republican, The Branch County Gazzette, The Democratic Union, The Southern Michigan News, The Coldwater Union Sentinel, The Republican, The Coldwater Reporter and the Coldwater Weekly Press all published in the immediate Coldwater area.   In other parts of the county there existed publications in Bronson, Union City and Quincy.   Most leaned towards the political views of a particular party of the time period, and and some existed only a few months.  It is a fascinating look at the history of the press in Branch County Michigan.  The information in this episode was taken from 'A History of Branch County Michigan' written by Crisfield Johnson and published in 1879. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.MichaelDelaware.com

In 1897, the announcement of gold in Alaska sparked a group of entreprenuers from Kalamazoo to unite and make plans to seek their fortuned in the Yukon Territory.  They became popularly known as the 'Kalamazoo Hustlers' although their official name was the Kalamazoo Mining and Prospecting Company.  This is the story of their adventure in Alaska. To read the article from the Kalamazoo Library, visit: https://www.kpl.gov/local-history/kalamazoo-history/general/kalamazoo-hustlers-and-the-gold-rush/ To find out more about or contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

My guest in this episode is Rhiannon Cizon from the Berrien County Historical Association.  She has been investigating the history of a murder of a Benton Harbor man that happened in 1904 named Mintor Northup.  The investigation crossed state lines into Northern Indiana, and also involved a very well respected law enforcement officer at the time.  The intrique includes threatening letters, horse thieves, and a brutal killing of a well respected resident. For more information the Berrien County Historical Association, visit: https://berrienhistory.org The Berrien County Historical Association on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BerrienCountyHistoricalAssociation For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

The Battle Creek Sanitarium was a very large medical facility for many decades, and at one point it was the largest in the United States.  It also had one of the largest nursing training programs of its time, training nurses from all over the U.S. and internationally.  In 1908, there was an article written on the Nursing Program and it offers a unique insight into the lives of the women who too part in the three year training there.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com For information on the events at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum mentioned at the end of this podcast, visit: https://bcrhm.Eventbrite.com

In this episode I read an article published in the Sunday Journal - Record on February 23, 1908.  It is called: Lunch Hour at the Postum Cereal Plant, and it offers a unique insight into the social customs of the time, and also the new innovation of a lunch room at the Postum Cereal Factory which was considered to be a new idea for that period in history. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

On the evening of November 21st, 1883, just a short distance from Jackson, Michigan in Summit Township, Jacob Crouch, William Henry White, his son-in-law, Eunice White his daughter and a guest Moses Polley were all murdered in their beds by some unknown parties.  The case became known as the Crouch Murders in all the newspaper.  Some say the crimes were driven by greedy relatives who wanted Jacob Crouch's money.  Others claimed it was a robbery gone wrong. An investigation was done, a trial was held, but no one was ultimately ever held accountable for these crimes.  Additionally, in the wake of this tragedy, a series of disturbing suicides, attempted murders and attempted suicides occurred with others related to the case.  The story crosses over Jackson, Spring Arbor, Union City and Marshall Michigan. It is a forgotten story from the annals of Southwest Michigan, and it also an interesting look at the disfunctional police investigations and court systems of the time period. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://MichaelDelaware.com

The Black Hand was a precursor to the mafia in the United States, and they primarily targeted the Italian immigrant population.  Although they committed violent crimes, such as murder, bombings and kidnapping; these actions were all just moves in a larger game, which was intended to keep the Italian communities living in fear of retribution.  They extorted money from hardworking laborers, as well as business owners who were in fear of something happening to their familes if they did not comply.  The Black Hand primarily existed from the early 1900's to the beginning of Prohibition, when it evolved into another form of organized crime. In this episode, I explore some of the history of the Black Hand in Michigan.  I also revisit a murder I covered in Season One of Guiseppi Aiello in Battle Creek in 1917, as well as the bombing in of the Cascarelli Fruit Store in Hillsdale in 1923.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore numerous stories of 'petrified bodies' carried in Michigan Newspapers from 1837 to 1895.  The stories are mostly relayed from other parts of the country, and carried in these papers.  However, the subject of body petrification after burial was a popular topic of the period, and so I explore the myths and facts about this. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Author Blaine Pardoe joins me on Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past to talk about his book: Secret Witness: The Untold Story of the 1967 Bombing in Marshall, Michigan.  This a tragic story, filled with fascinating details that one would not expect.  It was a shocking event in the history of Marshall, and although the killer was identified, he managed to use errors in the legal system to escape going to prison for life.  Blaine Pardoe delivers an incredibly detailed account of events in this fascinating history. To get a copy of Secret Witness: The Untold Story of the 1967 Bombing in Marshall, Michigan: https://amzn.to/3VRijHM To see a full list of Blaine Pardoe's books, click here: https://amzn.to/3CxcIPM For information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Join me as I explore a collection of historical biographical accounts from various Counties around Southwest Michigan, and read the history of the early pioneer experiences with wolves.  Some stories are just haunting, and other encounters were near deadly.  It is a insightful look at the early pioner settlement period in Michigan.

In this episode I explore the history of the village of Berrien Springs, in Berrien County, Michigan.  It has a fascinating history, with one of its founders being associated with one of the landmark US Supreme Court Cases in history, as being named after Andrew Jackson's Attorney General.  It is also the home of the Pickle Festival, the Lemon Creek Winery, an NFL player as well as the former home of Mohammad Ali.   To find out more about Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Join me for a look at the history and culture of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) as I interview Kevin Harris from the tribes culture office.  The NHBP is a Federally Recognized tribe which resides on the Pine Creek Indian Reservation in Fulton, Michigan.  They also have land in the Athens area.  Mr. Harris explains some of the early migration of the tribe around the Great Lakes, even from the time before the French occupied the Michigan Territory.  He explains a lot of the culture and teachings of the NHBP, and offers a beautiful insight into the tribal view of the importance of being stewards to the natural world. For more information on the NHBP, visit: https://nhbp-nsn.gov/ To follow Kevin Harris on Facebook and to see his artwork, visit: https://www.facebook.com/sitting.bull.37266 For more information Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Join me as I explore the story of the Golden Harvest from the 1860's to the 1870's in Michigan, and one season where many of the wheat farmers within a 10 mile radius of Battle Creek made enough from one crop to pay of their land.  This story explores the history of the wheat production in the early years, and also the crops that replaced them up to modern day. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

John Palmer, an immigrant from England, fiddled around at country dances in Union City and Burlington, and devised a solution to save the dancers trouble.  He observed that people were having trouble after dances finding their garments, and Palmer came up with a solution that was ultimately adopted by some railroad employees from Marshall, and the baggage check system was born.  It is a fascinating story from Calhoun County history. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Jim Jackson, the author of the book 'Veterans of Oak Hill Cemetery' and the editor of the book 'Beyond These Gates: Oak Hill Cemetery' joins me for a talk on some of the history and stories of Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek Michigan.  The cemetery was founded in 1844, and is the final resting place of W.K. Kellogg, John Harvey Kellogg, Sojourner Truth, James & Ellen White, C.W. Post and many other famous people.   To get a copy of Jim Jacksons books, use the following links: Beyond These Gates: Oak Hill Cemetery https://amzn.to/3GHvxlK Veterans of Oak Hill Cemetery https://amzn.to/3ijtvPp To donate and support the Chapel Renovation Project at Oak Hill Cemetery: https://bccfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=5224 For information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of the lost village of Harmonia, Michigan which was originally founded as a Spiritualist Utopia in early days of the Spiritualism movement in the country in 1855.  The Bedford Harmonial Institute was established in 1852 on by Hiram Cornell, on the land owned by his parents Reynolds and Dorcas Cornell.  A village was eventually platted in 1855, and the name 'Harmonia' was adopted.  The village became a place where many intellectual people came to reside who were interested in the movement over the years, including many famous abolitionist speakers of the time.   However, the village ultimately went into a decline following a tornado in 1862, along with financial troubles, and by the early 1900's only a few houses remained.  In 1917 the land was acquired by the U.S. Government to build Camp Custer, and all that remains of that village today is a cemetery that bears its name.  The land where the village once stood is not a parking lot in an industrial district. For more information Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com To see the video on Harmonia: https://youtu.be/MbExbGvLDq4

At the close of a harvest day in the summer of 1832, on Toland's Prairie, Kalamazoo County, Michigan a farmer named Hiram Moore strolled over to a neighbor, John Haskell and had a conversation that would ultimately change the agricultural world.  Haskell, tired after a hard day's labor in gleaning wheat, remarked to Moore "Why cannot some machine, drawn by horses, be made to cut the grain and ave all of this sweat and hard work?" Hiram, being an inventive genius, used the suggestion create such a machine.  By 1845, he had created his vision of a perfect grain harvester and gave a trial on the Climax Prairie which hundreds of people came from all over Southern Michigan to witness.  It was the progenitor of all modern harvesters, drawn by a team of twenty horses.  This is the story of Hiram Moore, the man who invented the grain harvester, and who also lost rights to all his patents as others profited from his inventions. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

This is the first episode of Season 2 of Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past.  It is also airing on New Year's Day, so I thought it would be adventurous to take a look at the top dozen guest interviews of 2022.  It was very hard to choose these episodes, as I had so many great guests in season one.  In fact I did 39 interviews, with roughly 30 guests on a variety of history topics.  This selection represents a mix of the ones that the fans listened to most, and my own personal favorites. To find out more about Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com To listen to the interviews mentioned in this episode, click on the links below: A History of the War of 1812 with Dennis Skupinski The SS Battle Creek Victory & The Seagoing Cowboys with Peggy Reiff Miller What in Sam Hill? The Story of Sam Hill with Guest Michael Cox The History of the Battle Creek Brass Band Interview Stories of Albion Michigan with Guest Dave Eddy Finding History with Outhouse Diggers: An Interview with Dan Hill The Legacy of Del Shannon: An Interview with Brian Young Mysterious Michigan: Legends, Ghostly Tales & The Macabre - An Interview with Author Amberrose Hammond An Interview with the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County An Interview with Author Arnie Bernstein on the Bath Massacre: America's First School Bombing An Interview with Bobbie Mathis from the Union City Society for Historic Preservation  An Interview with James Popenhagen on Music Legend Del Shannon Have a prosperous New Year!

Join me as I explore stories and traditions from old newspaper articles around Michigan from the 1800's.  This is the final episode of season one, and I also give a review of some of the statistics from Spotify at the end of this. To find out more about Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In November of 1913, a great winter storm like no other recorded before hit the Great Lakes region.  It would later become known as the White Hurricane, when cyclone-force winds pushed ships right off the lakes onto shorelines, against rocks and sank twelve across four of the five Great Lakes.  Lake Huron bore the brunt of the damages and loss, but ships were sank also on Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and Lake Erie.  It is believed 250 sailors and their crews lost their lives in that storm among the twelve ships that sank, as well as the others that were damaged or destroyed.  This episode explores the story of that epic storm. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Dave Eddy (AKA 'The Morning Mayor' with the WBCK Morning Radio Show) joins me on this Christmas Day episode where we explore historic Santa letters from the 1800's and early 1900's.  We also explore the history of two famous writers who wrote famous Santa letters to their children, Mark Twain and J.R.R. Tolkien.  Dave will not only read the Mark Twain letter, but also the most famous editorial in history, that was written 125 years ago 'Yes, Virginia.  There is a Santa Claus'.   We also talk about some other Christmas stories, as well as a new project Dave is working on for 2023 to restore the historic Chapel at Oak Hill Cemetery. For more information on the J.R.R. Tolkien book 'The Father Christmas Letters' click here: https://amzn.to/3YHy9Y2 Click here to support the Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel Restoration Fund For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this expisode I explore some of the impact of the famous Christmas story by Charles Dickens 'A Christmas Carol' and it defining influence in the Victorian Era, as well as a look at Southwest Michigan.  I also include a full replay of a 1949 Radio Drama that aired on December 25th of that year of 'A Christmas Carol' featuring Lionel Barrymore. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

The Augusta Beacon was a small local newspaper in the village of Augusta, Michigan that was published between 1902 - 1952.  In the course of doing research for stories, I often read through many old newspapers.  I came across the Augusta Beacon, and in scanning through a few of their early editions I found several stories that were brief, but also quite unusual and even somewhat amusing.  So I decided to create a special episode in reading through a mix of random unusual stories from the fifty years that this paper was published, focusing mostly on the early years of its publication.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Mark Lovett from the Allegan County Historical Society is my guest as we talk about some stories from the early days of Allegan County, as well as take a tour of the Jailhouse Museum and the John Pahl Historical Village.  Listen in to hear some amazing stories of the early days of Allegan. For more information on the Allegan County Historical Society, visit: http://alleganoldjail.com/ You can also email them at: OldJailMusuem06@Yahoo.com Or call: 269-673-8292 to schedule a visit. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore the history of the Page Brothers Buggy Company that existed in Marshall, Michigan from 1869 - 1917.  The Founder of the Company William L. Page, brought into the enterprise his brothers Lucius Franklin Page and Egbert E. Page as the company grew.  Lucius would remain a major stock holder, and serve as a director until the company sold in 1917.  Egbert was 10 years younger than Lucius, and would serve as the Secretary and Treasurer for 30+ years.  The company would eventually see its demise with the rise in popularity of the automobile, but in its time, the company manufactured over 5000 buggys a year and shipped them all over the U.S and in Europe, and they were highly respected for their quality craftsmanship. To see the video mentioned in this episode on Marvin Ferguson: https://youtu.be/kSpK2xF4cgU To find out more abour Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

This is a story of the two brothers who founded the village of Marshall in 1831.  Sidney Ketchum was the first of the pioneers in Calhoun County to file a claim in 1830, and he returned to his home state of New York and convinced his brother George Ketchum to join him in the wilderness.  Together with their families and others they build the foundation of the village of Marshall, with a unique vision for their community.  It is a fascinating story of endurance. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Rod Kroes, the President of the Bernard Historical Museum in Delton Michigan is my guest on this episode as we explore not only the history of the museum, and many other stories of Delton Michigan, and around Barry County.  Hear the stories of Chief Noonday, Delbert Monroe, Reverend Slater and many others. For more information on the Bernard Historical Museum, visit: https://www.bernardmuseum.org For information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

The Victorian Era was the period of the reign of the English Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901.  It was a time period when the economies of both England and the United States went from predominantly rural economies to the height of the Industrial Revolution.  A middle class emerged and a middle class emerged.  The many changes in this era in Southwest Michigan were significant from industry, railroads and medicine. I also explore the impact on Christmas celebrations that came from this era, and influenced the many traditions we still practice today. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com Ticket locations for the 'Tales of Christmas Past' program at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum on December 17th, 2022 are at: Honor Credit Union in Battle Creek (Beckley Road, Helmer Rd & Urbandale), Biggby Coffee on Hill Brady Rd & Dickman Rd, the Art Center of Battle Creek and the Battle Creek Regional History Museum located at 307 W Jackson St Battle Creek MI 49037.

In this episode I explore some history of Union City with the life of celebrated artist J.P. Palmer as well as the Hammond House Museum where people in search of history today in the area can see a lot of his famous work.  J.Pierpont Palmer was born in 1856 in New York, and moved with his parents to Union City when he was 10 years old.  Even as a young boy he was gifted as an artist, and he would eventually go on to study at Albion College, and later at the Chicago Art Institute.   He passed away in 1948, and today his work is still sought by art collectors.  His work during his life time was sold all over the U.S., as well as England and Sweden.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Author T.R. Shaw joins me to talk about the history of Michigan Wine.  The Michigan wine industry began with the early settlers of Detroit, and as the population headed west in the state, the Lake Michigan Shore and surrounding countryside all the way to Travese City developed into successful vineyards.   For more information on T.R. Shaw and his book, visit: https://amzn.to/3UkAogo For more information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Lawler's Corners was once a small town consisting of a general store at a crossroads where the Fort Custer Military base now stands.  It was once a stage coach stop along the route between Detroit and St. Louis, and also a key delivery location for mail for the village of Augusta in the 1830's.  The cemetery was established in 1831 on a farm owned by a man named Lawler, hence the name.  A school existed in this area until 1941, when if was closed during World War II by Fort Custer.  The cemetery is all that remains of those who lived in this small community, and it is managed by Charleston Township, in Kalamazoo County.  The cemetery is located between the Fort Custer Recreation area and the National Guard military base, and requires permission to visit. The story of this small community if covered in this episode, as well as some of the stories of people who rest in Lawler Cemetery. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

The Fort Custer Recreation Area is located off of Dickman Road between Augusta, and Battle Creek, Michigan.  It is a 3000+ acre park which originally was a military training area that was eventually turned over to the Department of Natural Resources in the State of Michigan to develop into a State Park.  It was an eleven year journey for the State to acquire the land, and also a long journey to make is a safe place for public recreation.  At one point there were over 2500 live and defunct military ordinances, along with old artillery shells removed from one of the lakes, and several others removed by metal detectors from another section, as the land had once been used for target practice on the military reservation.  The history of the year the Fort Custer Recreation Area was written a book published in 1985 by Faye Clark. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, blogger and author Peggy Reiff Miller joins me to discuss the history of the SS Battle Creek Victory, and other ships in its class.  She has spent twenty years calaloguing and researching the history of the Heffer Project and the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) project to bring livestock over to Europe in the post years of World War II.  The SS Battle Creek Victory was delivered in the final days of WWII, and instead of serving as its intended use as a wartime cargo ship, it became part of the UNRRA efforts to bring livestock to war torn Europe.   She has inteviewed hundreds of members of the Seagoing Cowboys who cared for the livestock on these voyages across the Atlantic to deliver over 300,000 animals to Europe.  It is a fascinating history.   For more information on Peggy Reiff Miller and her book The Seagoing Cowboy, visit: https://seagoingcowboys.com/resources/books/picture-book/ For information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore what life was like at Camp Custer in Battle Creek in 1918.  It was a few weeks after armistance, and the soldiers were returning from the front, and others were stationed at Camp Custer awaiting discharge.  Thousands of soldiers were on the base, and much of what was going on that weekend was published in the Camp newspaper called 'Custer Life' which share some of the interesting stories. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Andrew Rees settled on land establishing a farm west of Battle Creek in 1835, bringing with him his wife and nine children from New York.  He would live in this area until his death 40 years later, and he is buried at Reece Cemetery in Springfield, Michigan.  He was respected in his time as being a farmer of thrift and industry, as well as a patriotic and public spirited citizen.   His story was recorded by historian A.D.P. Van Buren in 1875, the year that he passed away.  The message from that period, and the mutual respect and veneration for each other is an important lesson from history. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Dave Eddy & Bobbie Mathis join me for a talk on Thanksgiving and Holiday Traditions.  We explore stories of Union City, Albion, Marshall, Battle Creek and much, much more.  Hear the story of Dave's first holiday away from family in the radio business broadcasting remotely in Marshall.  Hear stories of Union City and a Christmas where the entire village was snowed in, and the sleighs were pulled from old barns to get around.   We share these, and many other fun and interesting Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past.   The holiday events in Union City are: Saturday, November 26th at the Hammond House from 3-6 PM Sunday, December 11th - Christmas Tea Social at All Things Serenity At the Battle Creek Regional History Museum: Saturday, December 17th,  'Tales of Christmas Past' - Featuring Dave Eddy, Bobbie Mathis, Michael Delaware, Donna Rickman, Brian & Jill McCombs. Two performances: 2-4 PM & 6-8 PM Tickets are $10 and can be found on sale at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum, The Art Center of Battle Creek, Biggby's Coffee at Hill Brady Rd and all three Honor Credit Union locations in Battle Creek (Helmer Rd, Beckley Rd & Urbandale) For more information, visit: https://bcrhm.org

In my recent explorations of the Harman Halladay Cemetery in Bedford, Township Michigan I came across a headstone that led me down a path of determined research find the story behind it.  I discovered a man who was lost to all but who knew him, and he had died from an apparent suicide in a nearby marsh.  His name was Svetco Stoyanovitch, and his headstone was crudely carved with misspelled words, along with other odd information.  It is a curious story from the 1930's in the Battle Creek area. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com To watch the video I made on the Harmon Halladay Cemetery, click here: https://youtu.be/hQSQacMsI_g

A native of Albion, Michigan, Gwen Dew became a prolific writer, journalist and photographer in the late 1930's through the 1950's.  She was a world traveler, and served as a Southeast Asian correspondent for the Detroit News and Newsweek Magazine in the early 1940's.  In December 1941, she was in Hong Kong when the Japanese invaded, and was taken prisoner.  She would spend six months as a prisoner of war until her release in June of 1942.  When she returned home, despite poor health, she wrote a book on her experiences and toured the nation selling war bonds and enlightening the people on the homefront about the war.   Following the war, she was the first female journalist to cover the rebuilding of Japan under MacArthur. Her story is an amazing one, and she was an amazing woman from Southwest Michigan. To hear the radio program 'Prisoner of the Japs' in full, visit: OldTimeRadioDownloads.com For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Leah Richard from the Vicksburg Historical Society joins me for a talk on Vicksburg history, and the historical village.  We also talk about some of her favorite stories of the past, as well as some of the holiday activities they have coming up this season. For more information on the Vicksburg Historical Society, visit: https://vicksburghistory.org For more information Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of the town of New Buffalo, located in the Southwest corner of Berrien County, which has long been referred to as the gateway to Michigan.  It has a long and fascinating history which all started with a shipwreck and evolved over the years to be impacted by the railroads, shipping industry and tourism.  Today it is still a beautiful community in Southwest Michigan, and well worth the visit. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the Michigan Convention of Superintendents of the Poor in 1878, and the review of the counties that were represented at that gathering.  The report of the convention offers insight into how the poor were cared for, as well as the differing viewpoints on how they should be treated, from the harsh to the sympathetic.  It is a fascinating chapter in Michigan history and it makes for interesting comparsion to today. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I interview Dennis Skupinski from Michigan's Military Heritage Museum in Jackson.  We discuss the history of the War of 1812 in Michigan, where the battles were fought, the outcomes as well as discuss how many of the veterans settled in Michigan after the war.   For more information on Michigan's Military Heritage Museum, visit: https://mimhm.org For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

The murder of Nellie Griffin was an event that shocked the state of Michigan when it happened in January of 1891.  A man walked into the Coldwater School, a state institution for children, and adopted a child under a false identity and later murdered her.  This tragic event brought under scrutiny the system for adoption in the state of Michigan, and even sparked a review of the adoption procedures statewide.   The shocking story that followed is that not much was changed in the system immediately, and even the public demands for accountability with the superintendent of the school was dismissed.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

The Leila Arboretum in Battle Creek, Michigan celebrated its 100 year anniversary in September of 2022.  In preparation for this event, the Leila Arboretum society reached out to me to create a video on the history of this wonderful park, which I was honored to do.  I decided to made this audio track available in this podcast episode, as it was a wonderful story to research for this very special place in Battle Creek. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com To watch the YouTube video of this presentation, go here: https://youtu.be/RbYL3Lx4XsQ

In this episode I interview Brian Mohlman, the 1st Vice Commander of the American Legion Post #257 in Battle Creek on the history of the American Legion in Michigan.  He explains the early formation of the American Legion following the Great War (World War 1) and the changes made after WWII.  Today the American Legion has posts all over the country, as well as internationally.  They serve the local communities in a variety of ways, with a special focus on helping veterans.  Join me for this fascinating interview. For more information on the American Legion, visit: https://www.legion.org For information on American Legion Post #257, visit: http://www.legionpost257.org For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore stories of what Halloween was like in the 1800's in Southwest Michigan.  I include stories taken from newspapers in Battle Creek, Marshall, Albion, Athens, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Grand Rapids and South Haven.   The dates range between 1877 to 1890.  Halloween was so very different than what we are used to in present day.  Take a journey back in time. To see my YouTube video on Halloween from the 1800's, click here: https://youtu.be/RPAbGAw_1rQ For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the Lewis Cass Expedition of 1820 which was a survey of the western part of the Michigan Territory, led by Lewis Cass, the Territorial Governor.  The expedition was approved by John Calhoun, the Secretary of War, and had as its purpose to survey the geograohy and topography of the region in order to produce a complete map, as well as survey the flora and fauna, the Native Americans including their numbers, tribes and loyalties the the U.S. or Great Britain.  It also had as a purpose to select sites for forts, survey the geology of the region and also search for the source of the Mississippi River.  The expedition lasted 124 days, and the journals, maps and other books published from this played a significant role in the future of the region. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

The Brass Band of Battle Creek was founded 30 years ago, and has been an incredible source of musical entertainment in the country since that time.  The BBBC was founded by Bill and Jim Gray, who join me in this interview.  Also joining me is the Executive Director of the BBBC, Shannon Aikins. The three guests explain the early history of the BBBC, and how it has grown to become an internationally recognized band that has performed at the Albert Hall in London, and all over the U.S.A.  Members of the band are the top performers in music, and several have played together with the BBBC for decades. For more information or to secure tickets to the BBBC, visit: https://bbbc.net For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of the Calhoun County Poor Farm which was established in 1849, and lasted through at least 1912.  I include some of the early history of the establishment of the farm, as well as some of the stories of the people who lived there.  It is an interesting chapter in Southwest Michigan history.  At one point in 1878 there were 24 counties in Michigan that had County Poor Farms.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore some of the early history of Constantine, Michigan.  Governor John S. Barry, who was the only governor elected to three terms was a prominent businessman in the early foundation of the village.  I also explore some of the other early merchants, the Harvey Hotel, the shipping industry on the river, the early milling history, newspapers, banking, churches and much more. For more information on the history of Constantine, visit: https://constantinemi.com/history For more information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Author Amberrose Hammond joins me again to talk about some of her amazing books on Michigan history which is often interwoven with ghostly tales, true crime and fascinating legends.  She is the author of Wicked Grand Rapids, Wicked Ottawa County, Ghosts and Legends of Michigan's West Coast and also Mysterious Michigan.  In this interview we talk about some of the ghostly stories she has uncovered in her research as well as some gruesome true crime stories she tells on her cemetery tours. For more information on Amberrose Hammond, and to purchase her books, visit: http://amberrosehammond.com For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore a true crime event from 1886 in which a man by the name of Dr. Martin White murdered his family with an axe.   It is dark and brutal true story that shocked the Battle Creek community when it happened.  This is also the 100th episode of this podcast, and I chose to feature a story that is fitting for October. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

The Battle Creek House was built in 1836 by Leonard Starkweather, and served as the first framed hotel in the village of Battle Creek.  The building would stand 30 years in the central heart of the village, and serve as a gathering place for all social activities.  Starkweather remained owner of the hotel, although several different men served as managers over the years.  The hotel would burn to the ground in 1866. In 1857, Leonard Starkweather had his namesake of one of a successful pioneer, change to one connected with a brutal tragedy when he murdered his wife in December of that year.  The story of this magnificent hotel and the shadow of this tragedy is the subject of this episode. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I interview Bobbie Mathis and Brian McCombs from the Union City Society for Historic Preservation on their upcoming Dead Man's Hollow Walking Tour, and we also explore some other ghostly tales from Union City history.  The Dead Man's Hollow Walking Tour is October 15th, with the two showings.  Tickets can be acquired at locations described in the interview.   You will definitely want to attend this one!  For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

The first settler to arrive in the village known today as Augusta, Michigan was Dr. Salmon King, originally a Vermont native in 1833.  A land deal between Dr. King and three industrialist land speculators occured in 1836, and those three men would all became prominent in Michigan politics in the coming years.  Oen would become a state representative, another Speaker of the House and the other Governor.  It is a fascinating story filled with several amazing pioneers, several sons of Revolutionary War veterans and a few peculiar twists as well. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

The war for American Independence was between 1775 -1783, and the wave of pioneer settlers began in 1831, some 48 years later.  However, despite the many decades between, several former soldiers of the American Revolution settled in Michigan in their final years with their families.  In this episode, I explore the lives of two that were buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek, one that is buried in St. Joseph County in Leonidas Cemetery and one that rests in Kalamazoo at Mountain Home Cemetery.  Their stories are quite interesting. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Mike Cox, a story teller and historic reenactor with the Eaton County Historical Commission joins me to talk about the history of the man known as Sam Hill.  The expression many may have heard: What in Sam Hill? is attributed to his uniquely colorful character, and his story is a fascinating one that explores the history of copper mining in the Upper Peninsula, as well some of his life in Marshall, Michigan. For more information on the Eaton County Historical Commission, visit: https://www.facebook.com/EatonCountyHistoricalCommission For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

The Temperance Movement began in the early 1800's as a part of a religious movement to abstain from the use of alcohol.  Over the years this movement grew into legislative action which brought into existance the 18th Amendment to the Constition being ratified in 1919, which ushered in the era of Prohibition which lasted until 1933. In this episode I explore some of the early Temperance movement in Battle Creek, Michigan as well as some stories of Prohibition. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Leonidas Dibble led a fascinating life.  He was an attorney, and spent many years in school in New York, and established himself in a practice after passing the bar in that state.  He then was stricken was a case of gold fever and sold everything to move with his father to California.  After recovering enough fortune to pay for his trip, he returned home by way of Michigan and settled in Battle Creek.  He established himself as a respected local attorney, and was a leader in organizing the Peninsular Railroad Company which later became the Grand Trunk Railroad.  His story as well as some Michigan railroad history is covered in this episode. For more information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com

In this episode I had the pleasure to interview Dave Eddy, the former morning show host on WBCK for many years.  Known as the Morning Mayor, Mr. Eddy grew up in Albion, Michigan.  We discuss his early life and how he started in radio, as well as local Albion history and famous people.  Join us for a fun time as we explore some interesting Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

The Titus & Hicks Mill was originally founded by Richard Titus and Ellery Hicks in 1853.  After they passed away, the mill past away their sons took over the operation.  Making bold and revolutionary moves, the sons tore down the old mill and rebuilt it, increasing production of the mill by 5X and a few years later advanced it to 8X more than when their fathers owned it.  It is an interesting story from the pioneer period of Michigan, taking place in Battle Creek. For more information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Michigan was under the French Flag for over 150 years as part of the territory of New France as declared by Samuel de Champlain in 1608.  In this podcast I explore some of that early history and the French influence that remains in this state today, including some locations in Southwest Michigan.

My guest on this episode of Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past is Dan Hill from an organization called Outhouse Diggers.  They are a group of modern day history hunters who locate where old outhouses once stood from the 1800's and excavate them to find their hidden secrets.  Over the years, his team has found many relics from the past, as well as some secrets that were lost to time.  Some stories include mysteries, and others hidden crimes.   For more information on Outhouse Diggers, visit: https://www.outhousediggers.com For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

A hobo is a migrant worker or homeless vagrant.  The term originated in the U.S. around 1890.  Unlike a 'tramp', who works only when forced to, or a 'bum', who does not work at all, a "hobo" is a traveling worker.  The number of hobos increased during the Great Depression era of the 1930's.  With no work and no prospects at home, many decided to travel the freight trains in pursuit of work in other parts of the country.   The story "The Exploits of Henri, a Hobo" presented in this episode was written by Rich Rybicki from the Eaton County Historical Commission, and it is a depiction of historical events and places from this period when there were prevalant hobos in Michigan. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Walter Woolnough was born in Bungay, Suffolk County, England in 1821.  He moved with his parents to America when he was just eleven years old.  He would grow up in New York and become an apprentice for a printing company.  He would eventually move west to Ohio, and work for the Ashtabula Ohio Sentinel, a Whig newspaper in 1842.  A decade later he would move even father west, and settle in Battle Creek, Michigan and establish the first newspaper in the city.  Over the years he was an outspoken abolitionist, and became very active in politics.  His fascinating story is the subject of this episode. For more information Michael Delaware, or to reach out to him, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com To see the YouTube video that features the life of Walter Woolnough, visit: https://youtu.be/1MTs1YZYqBA

The Battle Creek Regional History Museum is located at 307 W Jackson St, in Battle Creek Michigan.  In this episode I interview Doug Sturdivant, the President of the museum.  We discuss the exhibits, coming events at the museum and also some of his favorite local history.  We also talk about some of the past and present projects at the museum.  For more information on the Battle Creek Regional History Museum, visit: https://www.bcrhm.org To see the details of the History Education Center Project and to contribute, visit: https://www.patronicity.com/history For more information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

Lawton, Michigan is located on the Southeast corner of Van Buren County, and has a history of steel production, fruit growing and wine production.  Today Welch's has a fruit juice manufacturing operation there, and in this episode I explore some of the history of this village that all started with a train station in 1848. For more information Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

The golden age of circuses is often cited as beginning in 1872, when the growth and expansion allowed circuses to move their tents, animals and people over greater distances with ease.  When the circus came into town, it was one of the only forms of entertainment that offered an escape for the hard work of farmers in the fields.  Entire families would converge on a town to see witness the procession as it left the railroad station and marched to the parade grounds.  The big top was the biggest event of the year, and this episode explores some of that wonderful and sometimes tragic history in Southwest Michigan. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

T.R. Shaw and his family operated the Shaw Funeral Home in Battle Creek, Michigan for four generations.  The company was founded just after the close of the Civil War, and was in continuous operation until the family sold it in 2015.  T.R. tells stories from the business going back to the late 1800's, including stories from Battle Creek, Bellevue, Detroit as well as his experiences growing up in the funeral business.  He is also the author of the book: Defy the Immediate. To get a copy of T.R. Shaw's book Defy the Immediate, visit: https://amzn.to/3pGijwr To read more about, and support the History Education Center Project mentioned in this episode, visit: https://www.patronicity.com/history To contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

The American Civil War has often been referred to as a war which placed brother against brother.  In Southwest Michigan, I uncovered a story of two brothers, the Byingtons, who fought on opposite sides of this conflict.  They were both originally born in New York, but one moved with his family to Battle Creek, Michigan many years before the start of the war, and the other moved to Montgomery, Alabama.  When the Civil War erupted, Cornelius enlisted with Battle Creek Artillery Company in the rank of Captain in 1861, and Samuel would enlist in Alabama in 1862 as a seargent.  They came within one week of meeting each other on the battlefield near Knoxville, TN in 1863.  This is their story. To see a YouTube video on Cornelius Byington, click here: https://youtu.be/w-3ADl2nBv0 To find out more about Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the broad history of the early transportation in the unsettled territory starting with the Native Americans on the rivers, from the arrival of the French moving forward through Indian Trails, territorial roads, courduroy roads, plank roads and railroads.  I use a book entitled 'Right on Track: A History of the Railroads in Eaton County, Michigan' as a guide for this journey, along with other research.  For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com To watch the video on Tracking the Territorial Road: https://youtu.be/33s3u4ZRXAw

Special guests Julie Kimmer, Director of the Courthouse Square Museum and Jenn Carpenter from Scream Queen Productions join me to discuss the annual event called 'Festival of the Oddities' in Charlotte, Michigan.  This event features an interesting mix of history from historical artifacts, museum tours, ghost hunting adventures and much more! The Festival of the Oddities is an annual event.  In 2022, the date is Saturday, September 3rd. For more information about the Courthouse Square Museum, visit: https://www.csamuseum.net You can also find them on Facebook at: Eaton County's Museum at Courthouse Square For more information on or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

What is in a name?  Have you ever wondered that with some of the names of Michigan Counties?  In this episode I use a booklet published in 1969 that I came across recently that gives a short history of the name of each of the counties in Michigan, and how they were named.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

This is the story of Ambrose Minty and his cigar factory that fell into the mill race in downtown Battle Creek in 1899.  It is an unusual story of the early pioneer period, but is also offers a very interesting insight into the moral fiber of the community during this time period in history. Donate to The History Education Project: https://www.patronicity.com/history For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com Here is the video on Ambrose Minty & the Cigar Factory: https://youtu.be/dad55VEltjU

I recently had the pleasure to interview John Braganini, the President of the St. Julian Winery in Paw Paw, Michigan.  We talked about the history of St. Julian, which is a four generation company, and the history of wine making in Southwest Michigan.  The company was originally founded by his grandfather Mariano Meconi in Ontario, Canada, and moved to Michigan after the appeal of Prohibition, and many other interesting details about St Julians.  For more information on St. Julian, visit: https://www.stjulian.com For more information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Dr. James Martin Peebles graduated from the University of Medicine & Surgery at Philadelphia, PA in 1876.  His life journey took him around the world four times, and he established medical institutions in Texas, California and Battle Creek, Michigan.  He was also selected by President Ulysses S. Grant to serve in the role of an Amassador to Turkey for two years.  He held many positions in government and in the private sector over his 99 years of life, including writing several world reknowned publications during his time.  He was most known for his book 'How to Live a Century and Grow Old Gracefully'.  He died 40 days short of achieving the status of Centurian.   He was also active in the Spiritualist movement, and told his friends that if he died before his 100th birthday that they should proceed with the celebration, and he would speak to them through a medium.  Newspapers across the nation after his passing were a mix of celebration of his life achievements, combined with stories of him sending messages from the grave.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com For a copy of Dr. James Martin Peebles book, How to Live a Century and Grow Old Gracefully, click here: https://amzn.to/3bA2PXk

Marshall Michigan was founded in 1830, and it was founded by two brothers who envisioned more than just an industrial or agricultural town.  They dreamed of a community filled with professional politicians, lawyers, businessmen and doctors.  Marshall was a stop on the Underground Railroad, and later an transportation center and has been home to many great hotels, inns and businesses.  In this episode I explore the early history, and some of the events that shaped this community. For more information on Michael Delawaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com To see the video on the Adam Crosswhite Affair, click here: https://youtu.be/DeGJdjkSepA

In this episode I intervew Author Amberrose Hammond on the subject of prostitution and madams of the Gilded Age in Grand Rapids, and also cover a few stories of Kalamazoo and Grand Haven.  The Gilded Age refers to the period of time between the end of the Civil War, and the turn of the century where there was an economic boom, but it implies that underneath the glitter and gilded surface of the era, there were still a lot of troublesome issues that marked the time, such as poverty, unemployment and corruption.   In the city of Grand Rapids, between 1885 to 1900, there was a rise in houses of prostitution in the city run by madams, and funded by a network of Johns and silent partners, creating a lot of intrique.  Many of the stories Amberrose reveals come from her research into her book: Wicked Grand Rapids, which is available online. For more information on Amberrose Hammond, visit: https://mysteriousmichigan.com/ To purchase her book: Wicked Grand Rapids: click here For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

The year 1917 in Battle Creek, Michigan was a time of great change.  President Wilson had signed a declaration of War passed by Congress in April, and a military base which would become Camp Custer was under construction west of the city by June.  Thousand of new people were in town, and arriving on trains, and from August to September, arrests by the police had increased by 900%.   It was in late September of 1917 when one of the most brutal murders of an Italian immigrant named Guiseppi Aiello, who was known locally as Joseph Ellen, occurred on the southern end of town.  The coroner's inquiry would later declare it to be an assassination, and the police believed at one point that it may have been terrorists who committed the crime.  The murder was never solved. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Hillsdale is the name of a County, a town and a college in Southwest Michigan.  The County received its name from the topography of the region, being land with hills and dales.  The college was founded in in 1844 originally in Spring Arbor, and it moved to Hillsdale nine years later.  The college was the first American college to prohibit in its charter any discrimination based on race, religion or sex, and became an early force for the abolition of slavery.  The college and the town have a fascinating history. For more information Hillsdale College, visit: https://www.hillsdale.edu For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Charles Westover, better known by his stage name Del Shannon was a music legend who shot to number one with the single 'Runaway' in 1961.  He was also well known for other hits such as 'Hats Off to Larry', 'Little Town Flirt' and 'Handyman'.   Brian Young is working on a biography on Del Shannon, and also manages the Del Shannon fan website and the Del Shannon Appreciation Society.  He joins me on a special interview to talk about the music legend, his hits, his experiences with other music legends, the upcoming documentary, and much more. For more information on Del Shannon or to contact Brian Young, visit: https://www.delshannon.com For more information Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

During World War II there were German POW camps in Michigan that were all directed by Fort Custer in Battle Creek.  The main camp was at Fort Custer, and between 1943 to 1946, there were approximately 19 different branch camps set up across the state to alleviate critical labor shortages in agriculture during the war.  A tragedy happened at one of the branch camps where 16 of the prisoners were killed in an accident.  The history is one that is still remembered at Fort Custer National Cemetery. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/ To see the video on Fort Custer National Cemetery: https://youtu.be/rs1hVuhYYRc

Have you ever wanted to know the story of the origins of Tony the Tiger?  That famous character that has become a household name in cereal for decades?  The back story behind the changes in the advertising industry which ultimately led up to the creation of the cartoon character adorning cereal boxes is a very interesting one.  In this episode I rely on the book 'Cerealizing America' which was published in 1995 by Scott Bruce and Bill Crawford covering the entire cereal industry and its formation. To get a copy of the book Cerealizing America, follow this link: https://amzn.to/3zHciWl For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

Casey Winningham is a professional headstone carver who uses traditional techniques in his craft.  He also has done a lot of headstone and monument restoration.  He joins me in this interview to talk about some of the history of memorial stones, symbology found on stones and his experiences as a stone carver.  For more information on Casey Winningham, visit: https://caseywinningham.com For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Alonzo Noble was one of the early pioneers of the village of Battle Creek, arriving in 1836 with his wife.  He established the second store in the village history, on the central corner of downtown.  He built the first home with a chimney in the history of the area, and he would go onto become a stable and successful dry goods store in the community.  He later became the second Mayor of the City of Battle Creek, and also served as postmaster for seven years.  His story is an interesting one from the pioneer history of the region. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

The village of Paw Paw is located in Van Buren County, and is has some interesting history.  I was able to uncover a collection of stories from the early days of the founding of the village that are great tales from yesterday.  One story of a man who named nine pairs of oxen, and cleared wooded acreage for many new pioneer settlers.  Another of a man who visited the home of an Indian trading partner, and ate his meal with dogs.  Another of a the first great Paw Paw bank robbery, where the famous Pinkerton Detective agency from Chicago was brought in undercover to solve the crime.  These and many other peculiar and tantilizing stories from early Michigan history are in this episode. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

The Greenfield House in Athens, Michigan is a historic home on the north side of the Athens village which was built by Sylvester Ware sometime between 1963-1965.  He was established a window and blind milling factory adjacent to the home, and was very involved in the milling industry in Athens.  After his death, the home was sold to El Dorado Greenfield in approximately 1883, who was another prominent business man in the village, who would eventually come to own the Athens Flour Mill years later.   The house stayed in the Greenfield family until 1972, when is sold to another investor who turned it into a duplex.  Over the years the property declined into a poor condition, until new owners (the Ramirez family) acquired it in 2017 and restored it.  Keith Dara is a craftsman and an active member of the Athens Area Historical Society, and directed a lot of the renovation of this historic landmark.  He joins me for an interview to talk about the history of the home, and the renovation that took four years. The Greenfield House is now a museum in Athens.  For more information, visit:  https://athens-mi-historicalsociety.org/the-greenfield-house To see the video on the Greenfield House, click here:  For more information Michael Delaware, visit: https://youtu.be/2dKd7DHkURg https://michaeldelaware.com/

Dulcenia (also spelled Dulcina) Daily was a woman who had endured a lot of loss and hardship in her life.  She was widowed at young age when her husband died just three years into their marriage, and she raised her son on her own, only to have him die in the Civil War.  She worked for years in a department in Washington D.C. helping people overcome their struggles following the war, and later in life she became world traveled. She left an estate behind with specific instructions to establish a home for aged women in Michigan, and in doing so, set in motion changes in state law after her death.  This is the story of Dulcenia Home that she established. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

Many people are familiar with the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia.  Not everyone is aware there are unknown soldiers buried in many cemeteries across Michigan.  In Southwest Michigan there are gravesites for these men in Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Allegan, Ottawa and Lake Counties to name a just a few.  Many are from the Civil War when as many as 40% of the dead soldiers were not identified in that conflict before burial.  There are also unknown soldiers from other wars buried in cemeteries across the state. In this episode I explore not only the history of the Unknown Soldiers, but also the history of the dog tags and when they came into existence and why.  For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com To watch some of Michael Delawares videos on YouTube, visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

Dennis Skupinksi from Michigan's Military Heritage Museum joins me for an interview on the subject of the Toledo War.  The historic boundary dispute between Michigan and Ohio, which was a complicated test for the growing Republic of the United States.  Mr. Skupiniski explains the events that led up to the territorial dispute which almost became a military conflict, but was ultimately settled.  Hear about this important chapter in Michigan history, which resulted in statehood. For more information on Michigan's Military Heritage Museum, visit: https://mimhm.org For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Lake Odessa is a small village of a little over 2000 people on the southern edge of Ionia County in Michigan.  It has an interesting history, as it was once about 1/2 mile North of its present location and known as Bonanza.  When the railroad came through, the entire village moved, including entire merchandise stores and goods to establish themselves closer to the train depot and railroad.  Bonanza was eventally lost to history, and Lake Odessa was born. This area once had a German POW camp outside of the village during WW II.  These and other interesting stories are explored in this episode. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Camp Custer just west of Battle Creek was built in 1917 in just six months to provide comfortable quarters for 36,000 who were being trained to go over to the war in Europe.  The camp was built on the site of the village that was once known as Harmonia, and stretched its length of over four miles of territory. It was an incredible undertaking that had never been done before in the history of the U.S., and this episode covers the details of how the camp was built which would later become known as Fort Custer. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com Follow Michael on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

In this episode Bobbie Mathis from the Union City Society for Historic Preservation and Andrew Noland from Silent Cities Restoration join me to talk about cemetery headstone restoration.  Both have restored over 2000 headstones in various cemeteries across Michigan.  We discuss types of material historically used in headstones, the process used to level and repair headstones, as well as advice on how to prevent them from tilting.  The guests also give great advice on how to properly clean headstones, and what materials to use and which ones not to use.   We also go into stories of cemeteries in Southwest Michigan and other areas of the state, and how some historic cemeteries have been ruined or lost, and how many others are being restored through the hard work of volunteers.  The episode also includes information on upcoming events to learn how to headstone restoration, and so much more! For more information on Saving Graves, visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/270307273437214 Andrew Noland's Silent Cities Restoration: https://www.silentcitiesrestoration.com/ Cemetery Conservators of United Standards: cemeteryconservatorsunitedstandards.org Association of Gravestone Studies: https://www.gravestonestudies.org/ Friends of Lansing's Historic Cemeteries: https://folhc.wildapricot.org/ For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

There was once a small community in Leroy Township known as Dogtown.  Today you would not even know this community every existed.  How did this community which was originally known as Fiddler's Grove become Dogtown?  These are the questions I asked myself when I first discovered the title of the little village marked on an 1894 Atlas of Leroy Township.  I began searching newspaper archives and history books and began to piece together the interesting history of this lost community just south of Battle Creek. In my search, I discovered some interesting stories!  The oldest man to possibly ever have lived in Calhoun County once lived in Dogtown.  It once had a general store where the owner was arrested for selling alcohol during prohibition.  These and many other interesting stories are covered in this story which is rich with dogs and fiddle players. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/ Follow Michael Delaware on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

Battle Creek Michigan has been the home to many music legends.  Some have been forgotten with time, and others still have their music played today in popular culture.  Del Shannon was famous for his #1 song 'Runaway', as was Junior 'Shotgun' Walker and the All Stars had several hits on the R&B Charts.  Much of their music is still popular, and some of their songs are still used in television shows and movies today. Other artists have great stories such as Enos Wanzer who wrote for Mo-Town, and played with Stevie Wonder and the Supremes.  Melvin James 'Sy' Oliver who played with Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.  Then there is the break out story of Wade Flemons whose hit 'Here I Stand' went to #19 on the charts while he was still at the Battle Creek Central High School.  These and many other interesting stories are covered in this episode. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com To watch the video on the Hamblin Opera House, click here: https://youtu.be/4AHZWSRCyTc

Author Amberrose Hammond joins me on the podcast to talk about her book that will be released in August: Mysterious Michigan.  We discuss Michigan legends, ghost stories, the Spiritualism movement, and some other tales of the macabre.  She gives us insight into some of the interesting stories in her new book, as well as some from here other published works.  It is a fun and interesting journey into some very old tales of yesterday. For a list of books by Amberrose Hammond, visit her author profile on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3xYg24Q To order her new book, Mysterious Michigan: https://amzn.to/3zFIbPl The author's website: http://amberrosehammond.com/ To contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

John Stewart Barry was elected the State of Michigan's 4th Governor in 1842, and served until 1846.  He was again elected in 1850 where he became the 8th Governor.  He is the only one in state history to serve three terms, and he is most noted for the expansion of the railroad, as well as the opening of the University of Michigan during his term.  He was also very interested in the cultivation of sugar beets in the state, and even visited Europe during his first term to obtain information on this crop.   He was a successful businessman in the merchantile business in White Pigeon and later Constantine, when Michigan became a state.  He has served in the state constitutional convention, and was elected as the first Senator.  His story is quite an interesting one. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:  https://michaeldelaware.com

Erastus Hussey was an early pioneer in Michigan, originally from the New York.  He first came to Michigan in 1824, and settled in the Plymouth Township area.  He eventually married, and had a child, and then moved to Battle Creek in September 1838.  First he was in the shoe repair manufacturing business, and also owned a grocery store.  He later owned and operated a dry good store in downtown. In 1840, he was approached by a man who asked him to serve as a station master on the newly formed Underground Railroad.  His station would be in Battle Creek, and his responsibility would be to feed, provide shelter for and help with safe passage fugitive slaves on their way to Canada.  He would work in this clandestine activity until 1865, and help over a thousand freedom seekers in twenty-five years.   In this episode I cover some of his back story, as well as his own personal accounts given in his only known interview that he gave about his time in serving the underground railroad.  He also told the story about the group of 45 former slaves who came through all one night, following the Kentucky Slave Raid in Cass County. For more information about Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

The Haskell Home Orphanage was built in 1894 in Battle Creek Michigan, under the guidance of Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, and funded by Caroline Haskell, and widow who had visited the Sanitarium and wanted to contribute to the community.  The model for the building was featured at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 when it was being constructed.   It was a beautiful three story building with an attic, basement and limestone and wood.  It had a 1/2 pitch Gothic roof, with a immense veranda that spanned the front of facade.  It became a home where an average of 100 to 150 children at a time would be housed, educated and nurtured into adulthood.   In the early hours of a February morning in 1909, a fire broke out in the building which quickly spread to all three stories.  The tragedy would not only destroy the last orphanage that existed in Battle Creek, and likely Southwest Michigan, but also three children would perish in the fury of the blaze.   In this episode I interview author Jim Jackson who wrote the book: The Haskell Home Orphanage Tragedy. To get a copy of his book, click here: https://amzn.to/3zBwskL To watch the video on the Haskell Home Tragedy by Michael Delaware: https://youtu.be/goAYl7wDTok For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

A forgotten and yet disturbing tale from the early history of Battle Creek was the Haviland Children Murders of 1865.  It was not the first crime in the community, nor would it be the last, but when it occurred, it sent shockwaves across the state of Michigan and even the nation.  Sarah Haviland, a mother of six, would decide to murder her own children so that she could be with a man she had fallen into a romance with.  She succeeded in killing three of her children, and the story is a strange tale which even today has many unanswered questions.   Sarah Haviland would be the only woman in Jackson State Prison for almost three decades, and would eventually be released after serving only 30 years of a life sentance.  Her lover, Dr. Daniel Baker, would die in prison.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com Follow Michael on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

The small village of Stevensville in Berrien County has a population of less than 1200 people.  It was originally platted by a man named Thomas L. Stevens in 1870.  He had purchased a large tract of acreage, and made an agreement with the Chicago and Went Michigan Lake Shore Railroad Company to allow them to lay a rail line through his land, and establish a train depot.  Another well known pioneer from the village was John Beers, who today still have a road named after him in area.  It is an interesting history of this small community on the shores of Lake Michigan.  Grand Mere State Park is in close proximity to Stevensville, and is 1127 acres which has 91% of it identified as a Primitive Zone, and in 1968 was designated as a National Natural Landmark.  The park contains magnificent high-relief dunes formed approximately 12,000 years ago, and is managed by the State of Michigan under the Sand Dunes Potection Act of 1978. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

The Bailey Museum and Gardens honors the life of Liberty Hyde Bailey, Jr, known as the father of modern Horticulture.  He was born in South Haven, and grew up on an 80 acre tract of land where his father had an orchard and a forest.  From an early age, his mother, teacher and other members of the community saw the potential in the young Bailey, and helped him overcome his obstacles to going to college in Lansing. My guest in this interview is Dan Williamson who is with the Bailey Museum and Gardens, which is located at: 903 S Bailey St in South Haven. To find out more abour the museum, visit:  https://www.libertyhydebailey.org For a copy of Liberty Hyde Bailey's book The Holy Earth, as mentioned in this interview, visit: https://www.libertyhydebailey.org/shop For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

John Nichols was the co-founder of the Nichols & Shepard Company in Battle Creek that became internationally known in their time for the production of agricultural threshing machines.  The company was founded in 1850, and by 1870 it had grown from a small shop on canal street to a manufacturing facility on the East side of Battle Creek which consisted of 40 acres and a dedicated railroad station.  His son Edwin C. Nichols would grow up in Battle Creek, and begin working for the company at young age learning every detail from the bottom up.  He would eventually take over as President of the industrial company, and would grow it further.   Both men were charitable and honest businessmen what helped Battle Creek grow.  John Nichols built homes for each of the men who worked for him, and also established Nichols Hospital.  Edwin would have a reputation for years of not only supporting the hospital his father established, but also donate to every religious denomination in the city, as well as become the Mayor of Battle Creek for one term. Both men have a fascinating story. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com To find his YouTuber channel, visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

In this episode I cover the early history of Kalamazoo Michigand the origins of the name Kalamazoo.  The town was originally named Bronson, after the first settler by that name.  In later years the town name was changed to Kalamazoo, after the river.  The area was once well known for celery as a crop, and it is the birthplace of the famous Gibson Guitars and the Checker Cabs, among many other industries.   These and many other stories are covered in this episode of the city and county with the funny name, Kalamazoo. For more information on the history of Kalamazoo, visit: https://www.kalamazoomi.com For more information or to contact Michael, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I interview Julie Rathsack, who is the co-author of the book Ghosts of Grand Rapids which was released in 2013.  We cover a whole host of ghost stories about the Grand Rapids area, and also the historical backstories for many of the events and locations.  We discuss hauntings at the Michigan Bell Building, the Amway Grand Hotel, Phillips Mansion, St. Celia Music Center, the Morton House Hotel, the Trust Building and the Livingston Hotel, along with a few urban legends in the area.  It is a fascinating and often spooky time in this journey through ghostly Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past. For more information Julie Rathsack tours, visit: https://www.paranormalmichigan.com For a copy of Ghosts of Grand Rapids, visit: https://amzn.to/3vHPCDk For more information Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

The great flood that occured primarily in Southwest Michigan between March 24th through March 29th in 1904 was the most unprecedented event in the history of the state up to that point in history.  On March 14th, a snowstorm dropped a record snowfall across lower Michigan averaging 10 inches in most areas.  Later in the month this ice pack would combine with heavy rains to create an unprecidented flood that raised the river levels across lower Michigan.  Lansing, Grand Rapids, Ionia, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo and many other communties saw the worst flooding in recorded history.   What made this event so significant is that is not only caused flooding to levels never before seen, but the waters did not recede for four days due to constant rainfall in the region.  In this episode I explore some of the damage, destruction, stories of rescue and amazing history of the untamed nature of water which at times of abundance can know no bounds. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the early history of South Haven, located on the mouth of the Black River, as a pioneer settlement, emerging as a lumber milling industry and later a productive farming community known for its blueberries, apples and peaches.  I also discuss its growth as a city for tourism during the 1920's through 1940's, which developed into a prospering entertainment and resort area for tourists from Chicago and Milwaukee.  It has a fascinating history, and the community is still a popular summer destination in Michigan to this day. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I interview James Popenhagen from the Del Shannon Show, a tribute organization to the music legend.  He was born Charles Weedon Westover in Grand Rapids, and grew up in Coopersville.  However, he adopted the name Del Shannon as his stage name at the beginning of his music career in Battle Creek, Michigan.   In this interview Mr. Popenhagen, a personal friend of Del Shannon, talks candidly about his early career, the challenges of show business and his rise to stardom.  Del Shannon was also a huge star in England and Europe, having many bands that would later become famous in the U.S. open for him when he toured, including the Beatles.  It is a fascinating history, and we also discuss future plans for a Del Shannon exhibit in the local Battle Creek Regional History Museum in Battle Creek, and other tribute music events.   For more information on the Battle Creek Regional History Museum, visit: https://bcrhm.org/ For information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was an aorganization created by the Union Veterans of the Civil War.  The G.A.R. existed between 1866 to 1956, covering a 90 year existence.  In Michigan there were 512 posts formed, and over 10,000 GAR posts create by the organization in the nation.  There were even a few posts five posts in Canada, one in Mexico and another in Peru.   The G.A.R. as an organization helped to set the foundation for future veterans organizations in the country, as well as lobby for benefits for wounded soldiers, widows and orphans of the Civil War.  They were also instrumental in securing pensions for the colored troops in the years following the war.   The organization membership was restricted to members of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps and the Revenue Cutter Service (forerunner to the Coast Guard) that were honorably discharged and served between April 12, 1866 and April 9, 1865.  However, they were influencial in helping to establish many other affliated organizations that also became powerful groups, some that still exist today. The G.A.R. became a powerful influence in their years of existence, having elected five of their own members to the Presidency of the United States.   For more information on the G.A.R. Museum, visit: https://garmuseum.com/ For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

In this episode I explore some of the early history of Niles, Michigan which was established on the site of the old Fort St. Joseph.  I also cover the history of how it became to be known as the 'City of Four Flags' as well as discuss some of the historic places one can still visit today in the city.  Additionally I cover some of the early railroad history, and its importance as a transportation line into Chicago and other cities in the region, as well as discuss the famouse Niles Train Depot. For more information Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com To find out about some of the historic sites I mentioned in this podcast, visit: http://www.nilesmi.org/community/museums_and_historic_sites.php

Memorial Day as we know it today traces its origins to the years following the American Civil War.  The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) had a lot of influence in the creation of this day, which was first known as Decoration Day form established in 1868.  However there were ceremornies that existed in many cities across the country as early as 1866.   In this special Memorial Day episode I cover the origins of this day of rememberance, and take a look into history of the celebration of this holiday in the 1800's around Southwest Michigan.   For more information or to contact Michael, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I interview author Blaine Pardoe on his book Lost Eagles: One Man's Mission to Find Missing Airmen in Two World Wars, which is the story of Fred Zinn.  In this interview we talk about Fred Zinn, and his service in World War One in the French and American military, as well as his service in World War II.  He pioneer the concept of recovering lost airmen, and the system he implemented still exists today for the American Military.   For more information on Author Blaine Pardoe, visit: https://www.blainepardoe.com To obtain a copy of the book, Lost Eagles, check out this link: https://amzn.to/3LruBSF For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Victor Carroll Squier, better known in his time as V.C. Squier was a violin maker, music store owner and instructor in Battle Creek.  He had learned the craft of violin making from his father, as well as other prominent violin makers in the Boston area.  He established his coming in 1890 in Battle Creek, repairing and manufacturing violins and other string instruments.  His company also manufactured strings, and became known world wide for his famous Squier Strings.  In the 1960's his company began manufacturng strings for businessman Leo Fender of Fender Instruments, who would eventually acquire the company.  Fender retired the Squire strings name, but revitalized the name in 1982 with its new line of Squier Guitars which are still produced today. This is the story of V.C. Squier. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com YouTube videos mentioned in this episode: Searching for Harmonia: https://youtu.be/MbExbGvLDq4 The Story of V.C Squier: https://youtu.be/haYyaXvIEfo

In this episode I explore the history of coyote migration in North and Central America, and when they first arrived in Southwest Michigan.  The history of the coyote expansion is a fascinating one, as they are the only mammal species to expand their geographic territory over the last 100+ years, whereas all others have contracted.  The coyote has expanded its range by an unprecidented 40% since 1900, and scientists attribute this to three primary causes which are explained in this podcast episode. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com For the study on coyote migration that I refer to in this episode, click here.

In this episode I interview three members of the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County (URSCC), Mike Moroz, the President, Cindy Yawkley Co-Chair of the Education Committee for the society and Cathy LaPointe, the treasurer.  We talk about the history of the underground railroad in Michigan, and the people in Cass County that we a part of it.  The URSCC has preserved three of the houses that were used as part of the Underground Railroad, the James E. Bonine House, the James E. Bonnie House and the Stephen Boque House.  We also discuss the infamous 1847 Kentucky Slave Raid that occurred in Cass County, and the detailed events of what happened that day as well as the outcome. The URSCC is a non-profit organization, and they have a membership which raises funds to support preservation of these homes which now serve as a museum to educate future generations.  If you would like the take a tour or the homes, or support the work they are doing with the URSCC, be sure to visit their website at: https://www.urscc.org For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

The earliest pioneers were agriculturalists, whether they intended to be this or not.  Their first priority upon arrival in the wilderness was establishing a food source.  Even the experienced farmers found establishing farms in the new country of Southwest Michigan a challenge and sometimes a hardship.  In this episode I explore some of that experience, as well as the wheat harvest that lasted through 1880, and the other crops that followed.  I also venture into the hardiness of the pioneer woman and what her daily life was like during this period, and more. Watch my video on the Golden Harvest: https://youtu.be/YHe9Mo-DzQo For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

In this episide I explore a history of postmasters and postal delivery in Calhoun County from mostly the 1800's to early 1900's.  I cover the original founding of the post offices in Albion, Marshall and Battle Creek, and their postmasters and early delivery systems.  Did you know the first post office Marshall was a cigar box?  The second one was even more interesting with it being a clock!  I also talk about formation of the postal service on a national level, as well as the Marshall post office museum and the pony express. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com For information on the Marshall Post Office Museum: https://marshallmich.net/post_office_museum To find the book I mention on the Pony Express, click here: https://amzn.to/37NxuyJ

In this episode I interview author Arnie Bernstein about his book, Bath Massacre: America's First School Bombing.   The Bath Consolidated School was bombed on May 18, 1927 by a man named Andrew Kehoe.  The story is a tragic one, where at the end of the day, 44 people were killed including 38 children.  It was an event that shook the country, and devastated the Bath Community with the loss of an entire generation.  Mr. Bernstein gives details of the events on that horrific day, and discusses some of the survivors he interviewed as well as the painstaking task of reconstructing this story. For more information on the author:  Arnie Bernstein's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arniebernstein Facebook for the book: https://www.facebook.com/bathmassacreauthor Visit the Arnie Bernstein's website: www.arniebernstein.com The website for book: https://www.arniebernstein.com/bath-massacre For information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/ For the YouTube video on the Bath Massacre: https://youtu.be/KFyZr3_lRh0

In this episode I take a look at some of the history of early newspaper and magazine publications in Battle Creek, and other cities in Southwest Michigan.  I also explore the history of the Duplex Printing Press Company that once existed in the area, which supplied printing presses all over the world.  I further discuss the importance of preservation of archives of old newspapers with local libraries and historical societies. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com Check out Michael's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

The period in Michigan from 1850 to 1910 was an interesting time of traveling circuses.  In this episide I explore several different circuses that came through Southwest Michigan during this time, including some very interesting anecdotes.  Old Hannibal the elephant and Jumbo the elephant came through the region.  Giraffes, polar bears, lions, tigers, zebras, seal ions and even a hippopatamus were among some of the animals that traveled through with these circuses.  Hear the story of a young boy visiting the circus for the first time in 1850 in Yankee Springs and also the story of the tornado that disrupted the big top in Battle Creek.  It was an interesting time of exotic shows featuring acrobats, roman chariot races, performing animals and so much more! To see the video I made on Hannibal the Elephant, click here: https://youtu.be/px5Q-ys39f4 To follow my channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware Check out my website: https://michaeldelaware.com/

In today's podcast interview my guest is Michael 'Mac' McCollough with the Willard Library, and we talk about some of the history of the library which was first established in 1840.  Many people have contributed to the success of the library over the many years, including Henry Denman, Charles Willard, George Willard, Adah Stevens McCutcheon and Helen Warner among many others.  We discuss the early days of the library, and how it has evolved over the many decades with innovations and saving of historical records.   To find out more about the Willard Library, visit: https://willardlibrary.org/ For more information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/ Check out Michael Delaware's Youtube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

In this episode I take a journey through the history of the Homer Village in Calhoun County.  The first pioneer settlers began arriving in 1832, and among them was a man named Milton Barney who established him homestead in the area of the village center today.  He built his log cabin, a general store and a mill along the Kalamazoo River, and even established the first bank.  Explore the history of the early schools, cemeteries and even the famous haunted Homer Mill which tragically burned to the ground in 2010.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/ Check out Michael Delaware on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware For more information on the Village of Homer, visit: https://homermichigan.org/

In this episode, I interview Dennis Skupinski from Michigan's Military Heritage Museum on World War One History.  Mr. Skupinski worked for 10 years with the United States World War One Centennial Commission on the Michigan history section of their website, and he has a tremendous amount of fascinating stories from this time to share.  Included in those stories are not only veterans who served from Southwest Michigan, but other stories from all over the state, including the homefront.  Among the stories he tells in this interview are of Harry Hill Bandholtz, Frederick Zinn, Henry Ford, Ty Cobb, William Boeing, and many more. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/ For the Michigan section of the World War One Centennial site: Click here For information on Michigan's Military Heritage Museum, visit: https://mimhm.org/ https://www.facebook.com/mimilitaryheritagemuseum/

In this episode I interview Bobbie Mathis who has been the president of the Union City Society for Historic Preservation since 2016.  She is also done a lot of local research into Union City history, as well as historic Riverside Cemetery.  She was trained in tombstone restoration by the Cemetery Conservators of United Standards (CCUS) and has repaired and cleaned over 2000 stones so far.  CCUS practices do no harm methods in repair and preservation of historic gravestones.  In our talk, Bobbie talks about local history, the legend of Deadman's Hollow and touches on some ghost stories (including the lady in white) from the cemetery.  She also covers some historic profiles of some of the well known and famous people buried at Riverside, as well as some of the local legends.   For more information on the Union City Society for Historic Preservation, visit: https://www.facebook.com/ucshp For tickets to the class Bobbie mentioned in this interview: https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=298770379247 For information on the cemetery restoration class Bobbie mentions in this interview, visit Saving Graves: https://www.facebook.com/groups/270307273437214 The book Boobie mentions Post City Texas can be found here: https://amzn.to/3jiqRGL For more information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/ Check out Michael Delaware's YouTube Channel: https://michaeldelaware.com/

William T. Palmer at the age of 18 joined the Bristich 61st Regiment in Winchester, England and was transported to the island of St. Helena, where he served for two years as part of the Superior Guards who were in charge of guarding Napoleon Bonaparte.  After Napoleons funeral in 1821, he was transferred to other duties until he was discharged from service after 15 years in Toronto, Canada.  He went to college, and was married.  Then he moved to New York for a few years, working on building the railroad betwen Rochester and Auburn.  In 1840, he moved to Michigan with his family, settling in Battle Creek. He was locally known as a well respected member of the community, working as a gardener.  In 1881 he invited the Chicago Times to come interview him in his home, so that he could tell his story of his time on the island of St. Helena and the death of Napoleon Bonaparte.  It is a fascinating account from a man who experienced a part of history. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com Watch the YouTube video on William Palmer: https://youtu.be/wrkf5pej4dw

In this episode I explore the notorious Crime Boss, gangster, racketeer and bootlegger Al Capone who reigned in Chicago from 1925 through 1932, during the years of Prohibition in the U.S.  During his time in power, he was said to have often escaped the hear of the windy city and found his way into Michigan and Wisconsin.  I did some research on some of the stories of hideaways, safe houses, speakeasys, brothels and hotels that he is said to have visited in Southwest Michigan and other parts of the state.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/ Check out Michael Delaware's channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

In this episode I interview Julie Kimmer, who has been the Manager of the Courthouse Square Museum in Charlotte, Michigan for over 20 years.  The museum is located in downtown Charlotte, and the building's cornerstone was placed in the center of the town square in 1883.  In 1885, the courthouse officially opened to the public.  It was in operation for 10 years before a fire gutted the building and much of the inside paintings and walls.  It was reconstructed and returned to operation, and remained so until 1976 when a newer larger building was established in another part of town.  The building then became a museum, and the grounds also include the 1873 Sherriff's Residence, and the museum also manages the former 1845 Courthouse which is located in Bennett Park today. We discuss the history of the building, some of the exhibits, some local stories and even some amazing events coming in 2022.   To schedule a visit or to find out more about the Courthouse Square Museum, visit: https://www.csamuseum.net/ To donate to the Courthouse Square Museum, visit: https://www.csamuseum.net/donate For more information on or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/ Check out Michael Delaware on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

This is the story of Dorrance Williams, an early pioneer in Calhoun County who settled on the Goguac Prairie in Battle Creek in 1831.  He previously had been a land surveyor for the U.S. Government, and had visited the area in 1829.  He lived his life as a suspicious man who was afraid everyone he dealt with was trying to cheat him.  A frequent visitor to the courtroom, he was the plaintiff in may lawsuits with is neighbors.   He died in 1846, and when his grave was moved in 1887 a grisly discovery was made when his coffin was opened. Watch the video with the story of Dorrance Williams: Tales of Tragedy Also another specific video I created on the Tragedy of Dorrance Williams Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com

Anson De Peuy Van Buren was born in 1822 in Kinderhook, New York.  He was a cousin of Martin Van Buren, the 8th President of the United States.  His Father Ephriam Van Buren, and his mother Olive Jay Van Buren, moved the family to Michigan settling in Battle Creek in 1836.  He was 13 years old, and would record the annals of his journey later in life along with many other stories of growing up on the Goguac Prairie in the Pioneer Collections.  He was a teacher and writer, and was adept at recording details of pioneer life that included not only the struggles and triumphs, but also the humor of the period.   His collection of writings in the early pioneer society of Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties were preserved by the Michigan Pioneer Society, and made part of the Pioneer Collections archives.  Today, he is the most referenced historian from the period for these two counties. To see the video on Young's Cemetery which covers the Van Buren family on the Goguac Prairie: Exploring More History at Young's Cemetery Check out the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com

In this episode I interview Civil War Historian Maurice Imhoff who has been researching the Michigan 1st Colored Regiment since 2014.  The Michigan 1st eventually became the 102nd U.S. Colored Troops, which saw action in several engagements during the war.  Recruited from all over Southern Michigan, the regiment trained in Detroit during one of the coldest winters in 1863.  The unit received a lot of support from Sojourner Truth and other abolitionists, and were welcomed home as heroes after the conclusion of the war. It is a fascinating history, and Mr. Imhoff shares some rarely heard history he has discovered about incredible unit of brave men. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com For more information on Civil War reenactment events in Michigan, visit:  Jackson Civil War Muster CivilWarTalk.com

Have you ever hear of the 85th Division which was stationed at Fort Custer in Battle Creek during World War 1?  The Division of 28,000 men were shipped to Europe in the summer of 1918, and when they arrived, 5000 of them formed the 339th Infantry and were sent not to France, but to Archangel, Russia near the Arctic Circle to fight the Bolshevik Army (the Russian Communists who had taken control of Russia).  They ended up serving almost a full year after the war in Europe ended, in some of the harshest conditions any American Troops have ever faced.   The unit consisted of mostly men from Michigan, and some from Wisconsin.  Their story of fighting in minus 50 degree temperatures, for months on end is a forgotten story from the Great War to many.  It is an important part of Southwest Michigan history. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com Follow Michael Delaware on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

Plank roads were wooden routes made of hewn logs that were common in the Northest and Midwest of the U.S. in the first half of the 19th century.  At one time Michigan had over 60 plank road companies chartered in the state.  In 1849 the state legislature incorporated the Battle Creek & Hastings Plank Road Company to build a plank road between the two cities.  Some of the most prominent pioneers in these two cities history were named as directors.  Plank roads were often turned into toll roads, and one such road was built over a three year period between Marshall and Bellevue.   Along these routes were the stage coaches which offered the most comfortable, if somewhat bumpy, journey between Battle Creek, Hastings and Grand Rapids.  Stage coach routes were eventually expanded to go as far as St. Joseph, White Pigeon and Jackson with the central hub from Battle Creek.  Along these routes were taverns which became famous in their days, such as Tamarack Tavern in Assyria, Bristol's in Johnstown, Barney's Tavern in Battle Creek and the famous Mansion House of William Lewis in Yankee Springs.   The early mail routes were established by way of the stage coach on the plank roads as well.  It is a fascinating history. Check out my YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com

In this episode I interview Robert Myers from the Michigan Historical Society where we cover stories of Berrien County.  We start with the early French settlement years surrounding Fort St. Joseph in Niles founded in 1684, to the establishment of the French Government fort in 1691, which later became a British fort.  We also talk about some of the early milling history and industry, as well as the early newspapers.  Mr. Myers tells the story of the tragic loss of the Hippocampus, a passenger and package freighter that was overloaded with crates of peaches and was lost somewhere in Lake Michigan between St. Joseph and Chicago in 1868, and has never been found. Follow Michael Delaware on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware To contact Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com To find out more about the Historical Society of Michigan, visit: HSMichigan.org

In this episode I explore what life was like in the year 1850 in Battle Creek, Michigan.  This was the first year Battle Creek received its first charter from the State of Michigan, and was organized officially as a village.  I take a look at the local industry of the time, the population, the churches, the entertainment, the politics and national news and events of the times, among other topics.  It is a fascinating look at a time many years before the cereal industry, and other industrial accomplishments that the city would later become known for. Check out my YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware For more information visit: MichaelDelaware.com

In 1847 over 200 citizens in the City of Marshall took a stand against a small group of armed slave hunters who came to take away Adam Crosswhite, his wife and children.  The Crosswhite family were fugitive slaves from Kentucky that arrived in Marshall by way of the Underground Railroad, enroute to Canada, and had decided to take up residence in the community.  Life was good, and Adam and his family were welcomed into the community.   One day a man named Francis Troutman, the grandson of Crosswhite's former owner arrived with the intention of taking the fugitives back with him to Kentucky.  Adam took a stand, and the community gathered around him in support, and took the slave hunters into custody.   While they were detained, members of the community got the Crosswhite Family safely out of the area, and across the border into Canada.   This incident became known as the Adam Crosswhite Affair, and it so infuriated the Southerners that they not only filed suit in retaliation against several Marshall residents, but they also pressured Congress for stricter laws on Fugitive Slaves, which set in motion a chain of events which ultimately led to the Civil War. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com

In this episode I interview Jim Jackson, the Author of the book Veterans of Oak Hill Cemetery for Oak Hill Cemetery.  He also edited the 2014 edition of Beyond These Gates for Oak Hill Cemetery, and is the author of other books on local history.  Mr. Jackson has spent several years researching the history of Company K, 1st Michigan Sharpshooters who were an entirely Native American regiment in the U.S. Civil War.  He covers how the unit was formed in 1863, how their members were selected, where they trained and the many engagements they had in the war including the Battle of the Wilderness and the Seige of Petersburg among many others.  One of their numbers was nominated for Congressional Medal of Honor. To read Jim Jackson's book on the Veterens of Oak Hill, click here: https://amzn.to/3N2uK05 For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

The Athens village is located about 15 miles south of Battle Creek, in the Southwest corner of Calhoun County.  It was settled in 1831, as with many other locations around the region, and had its first house built in 1832 by Isaac Crossett.  The first store was built there in 1854 by William Simons, and the village was officially incorporated around 1896.  The village although smaller than others in the County, had a lot more modern progress in development with a early electric power company, mills and even a water system.  It has shared a history with the Potawatamie Indians and maintains a good community relationship with the tribe in present day.  This episode explores some of that history. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com Subscribe to the YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

In 1832 during the early settlement period of Calhoun County, the Cholera epidemic hit the US first arriving at a port in Quebec, Canada and ultimately finding its way down to New York City and across the Great Lakes region to Michigan.  In June of that year it arrived in Marshall with devastating results killing almost half of the village in less than a month.  The disease spread to other parts of the County and Southwest Michigan, but Marshall seemed to have the worst impact in this region.   In this episode I read several accounts from the time period of those who lived during that time, and also cover the other events that occured in that same time period that made life even more challenging for the pioneers. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com To follow the YouTube channel, visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

In this episode I explore various types of Bear encounters that were reported in Michigan newspapers covering stories from 1830 - 2008.  Some are tragic, but several are quite comical and might even make you laugh.  The bear does not always come out okay in the end, but in one incident the bear did outrun a pickle.  Another unusual story involves a bear gettng caught on a cowcatcher and riding it for 10 miles to the next train station, and eventually engaging in a face off with a lawyer.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com Follow Michael on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

The small village of Colon, Michigan was founded in 1830, but it has a history that goes back to the early days of the Northwestern Territory.  It began as a farming community, but in the 1900's a medicine man began coming to town to put on magic shows.  A local druggist learned some of his tricks, and also began performing them for his customers.  The fever for magic began to grow, and a young boy named Donald Watson AKA 'Monk' Watson along with a friend Neil Sweet began to put on several magic shows in the area.  In 1925, Magician Harry Blackstone moved to Colon and along with his brother and stage crew would refurbish their illusion show in the summer months in preparation for traveling the country. The history of Magic grew from there, and eventually in 1934 the legendary Magician Lester Lake who was a frequent vistor to Colon coined the phrase 'Magic Capital of the World' and the title stuck.  This episode covers the early history of Colon, and how it evolved.  It also goes into some of the life of Harry Blackstone. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com Check out the YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware For more information on Colon Michigan, visit: ColonMichigan.org

Explore the history of the Battle Creek Michigan Fire Department and its evolution over the years, which mirror many other cities in Michigan.  Hear about the sequence of events that resulted in the first pieces of fire fighting equipment being purchased, and how men were organized initially as volunteers to use them.  I also cover the establishment of the first four fire stations, and some of the most significant fires in the city history.   You will also learn how fire safety ordinances came into being following the devastating fire in Chicago of the Iroquois Theatre on December 3, 1903 when 602 people died in the blaze.  The legacy of the fire departments in the country include lessons learned from past disasters, brilliant innovation, ingenuity and bravery. To watch the video on the Haskell Home Orphange Fire (mentioned in this episode) click here. To watch other videos on my YouTube channel, visit here: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware Check out my website: Michael Delaware.com Support: Merchandise: https://the-shine-bright-project.creator-spring.com/ Direct donations: https://liberapay.com/MichaelDelaware/donate

Did you know there was an old War Horse buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Coldwater, Michigan?  He served four years in the Civil War with the Loomis Battery, and was the only one of 200 horses sent from Coldwater to survive the war.  When he died in 1876, his regiment wanted him buried alongside his human comrades.  The story of Old Sam is worth hearing. Coldwater has a rich pioneer history that dates back to the first trading post founded in 1822 by Joseph Godfrey, and prior to that it was the land of the Potawatomi tribe of Indians.  The village was once on reservation land, and later became incorporated as a city and approved by the state legislature in in 1861, and designated as the seat of Branch County in 1842.   The city is the home to the second oldest theater in Michigan, the Tibbits Opera House which was built in 1882.  It has some other amazing historical landmarks such as the Wing House which was built in 1875, now a museum, and the Coldwater Library which is one of the oldest functioning libraries still in its original building.   Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware Visit my website at: MichaelDelaware.com

Have you ever wondered how the City of Battle Creek got it's name?  The name itself conjours up all manner of graphic ideas to spark the imagination.  Was there some great battle?  How long did it last?  How did it shape history?  This is the topic I explore in this episode, as it has a connection to some early Southwest Michigan history. A video I reference in this episode is: The Journey of Michigan from Territory to Statehood & How the First Counties were Named Check out my Youtube Channel Visit my website at: MichaelDelaware.com

This is the story of Ezra Convis who was also known in his time as General Ezra Convis.  He was an early pioneer industrialist to Calhoun County who founded the Village of Verona and also was a co-founder of the Village of Augusta in Kalamazoo County.  He at one point was a partial owner in downtown Battle Creek.  He became elected to the Legislature when Michigan was vying for Statehood, and was elected as Speaker of the House.  He won re-election the year Michigan became a state, and died in a sled accident near Detroit on the way to a wedding in the winter of 1837-38.  Speculation on what would have happened in Calhoun County had he not died when he did, as the railroad coming through the county was still undecided at the time of his death.  Convis Township in Calhoun County was named in his honor after his death. Watch the video I created on Verona here: The Rise & Fall of Verona To watch more history videos on my YouTube channel, click here: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

This episode goes into who The Pioneer Society of Michigan (established in 1784) was and how they organized to preserve the early pioneer history of the territory.  I also go into one story they preserved about the fate of the first steamboat ever on Lake Erie, called Walk-in-the-Water.  I cover how this society recorded exactly how the early pioneers survived when they first arrived before they had permanent homes, crops and established themselves on the land.  Have you ever wonder where they got food during those days?  A lot of it was survival off the land, but also it was trading the Native American population who had already had a 500+ year history trading with the French.  It is a fascinating history. The Pioneer Society of Michigan collected information from all the early established counties, and wrote personal histories on many of the early pioneers that settled these areas, which I plan to feature several of these profiles in future episodes. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com

This episode takes you from when Michigan was part of the New France territory founded in 1534 by explorer Jacques Cartier.  Prior to that, the land was occupied exclusively by the First Nation people.  France ceded the territory to Britain and Spain under the Treaty of Paris in 1763, and eventually the region was formed into the Northwest Territory by the United States Government following the Revolutionary War.  This territory again changed to the Indiana Territory after Ohio achieved Statehood, and eventually was separated into the Michigan Territory in 1805.   The episode covers that journey, and much more as the wilderness region was settled with pioneers, and took the steps to become the 26th State in the Union.  It also covers the organization of the earliest Eastern, Southern and Southwestern Counties and how they were named.   To watch my video on this topic on YouTube: The Journey of Michigan from Territory to Statehood & How the First Counties were Named Follow & Subscribe to my channel on YouTube

In doing research on stories for larger projects, I occasionally come across stories of wolf encounters in the old newspapers of the 1800's.  In Southwest Michigan there were several encounters in the early 1830's as settlers began arriving in Calhoun, St. Joseph, Hillsdale and many other Southern Counties.  In researching the Hicks family history at Hicks Cemetery in Pennfield Township I came across a detailed one about the time when William Hicks took his three teanage sons to his new property with the family cow, and telling them to keep a fire going all night and he would see them in the morning.  The boys spent the entire evening keeping wolves at bay who wanted a taste of their bovine companion and maybe a teenager sandwich or two.  There were also several other tales I uncovered about wolves chasing, attacking and occasionally killing people in those unpredictable times, which I include in this episode. If you would like to see the video I created on YouTube about the Hicks Cemetery, that I mention in this episode, here is the link: Exploring History at Hicks Cemetery Visit my YouTube Channel here

Have you ever heard of the story of Old Hannibal (AKA Hannibal) the elephant who visited Battle Creek Michigan in the 1850's as part of the Van Amburgh Menagerie, and while parading down Main Street fell through the wooden bridge over the Mill Race channel?  He was a 15,000 ib Asiatic elephant who toured North America for over four decades, and was larger in mass and weight than the more popular Jumbo the Elephant who traveled with PT Barnum a half century later for only 3 years.  Hannibal's story is a forgotten one from over 170 years ago, but it is a fascinating chapter in Southwest Michigan history. To watch my video on Youtube on this subject: The Story of Old Hannibal - The Good, The Bad & The Elephant Follow & Subscribe to my channel on YouTube

Prior to passing of Congressional funding secured by Michigan's 3rd elected Territorial Delegate to Congress, journey into the inland wilderness was near impossible.  With the survey and development of the Territorial Roads across lower and central Michigan, it opened up pioneer expansion into the newly organized lower counties.  This is the story of these vital roads that made Southwest Michigan settlement possible. To watch my YouTube video: Tracking the Territorial Road - The Original Pioneer Trail - Battle Creek, Michigan Follow & Subscribe to my channel on YouTube

This episode takes a journey from when Michigan was deparated from the Indiana Territory and became the Michigan Territory, and the path to statehood.  It is a shortened version of a longer episode to come later.  It covers the actions of the early Governors William Hull and Lewis Cass.   Follow & Subscribe to my channel on YouTube

The city of Battle Creek was founded by Sands McCamly and other pioneer industrialists.  When McCamly arrived into the wilderness region of present day Battle Creek in Calhoun County in 1831, he saw the potential of the confluence of two rivers at different elevations, envisioning a mill race between them.  This started his journey to acquire the land, which through delays and challenges he eventually accomplished 4 years later.  The Mill Race was finally constructed in 1835, and it marked the beginning of the city known today as Battle Creek.  His establishment of a productive milling community made it possible for the cereal industry to evolve many decades later. To watch my video on Youtube The Founding of a City: Sands McCamly Built a Canal Follow & Subscribe to my channel on YouTube