Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past

In this episode, I explore stories from the book 'Unexplained Michigan Mysteries' by Gary Barfknect. Hear the story of the unusual fish found in Michigan waters, a man who had a very unusual gift in Paw Paw and a dream that solved a murder in Kalamazoo. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore the history of Orville H. Gibson and the Gibson Guitar Company in Kalamazoo. Source articles for this episode: Orville H. Gibson - Kalamazoo History Gibson Inc Article - Kalamazoo History For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com For tickets to the Murder & Mystery Tour at Oak Hill Cemetery on Thursday, October 8th, 2026 - Click her...

In this episode, I tell the story of 'Morning of Blood and Miracles' from my book 'Murder in Victorian Western Michigan'. This story took place in 1889 in Vergennes Township, Kent County, Michigan. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore the early history of the village and township of Ohstemo over in Kalamazoo County. For the full article referred to in this episode, click here . For information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of two philanthropists: Andrew Carnegie and Dolly Parton whose charitable work impacted libraries and early learning in Michigan. For more information on the Imagination Library, visit: https://imaginationlibrary.com/ For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the life of Mary S. Coleman, the first woman elected to the Michigan Supreme Court, and the first woman to be selected to serve as Chief Justice. The Calhoun County Justice Center was recently re-dedicated in her honor, and today's show showcases some of the highlights from her amazing life. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore the history of local celebrity green and yellow Amazon parrot named Polly from St. Joseph, Michigan. The story is a warm and happy one, with a little unexpected drama. To subscribe to the Michigan History Magazine, visit: https://www.hsmichigan.org/read/michigan-history For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I cover the history of the first and second college World Series which were held in Kalamazoo. The source article was written by Paul M. Keep in the Summer 2006 issue of Chronicle Magazine by the Historical Society of Michigan. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore life in rural schools in pioneer Michigan. I use a reference book from the Eaton County Historical Commission 'Rural Schools of Eaton County Michigan' for the source material. I discuss rules and information published originally in 1864. To get a copy of the book mentioned, visit: https://eatoncountyhistory.org/ For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: htt...

In this episode I relay some history of the Victorian Era circuses in Southwest Michigan with the Van Ambergh Menagerie, and also the origin story of Pink Lemonade. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

The Great Chicago Fire between October 8 - 10th, 1871 is the topic of this episode. During this same time fires in Holland and Manistee, Michigan destroyed those cities. I explore the impact of those fires, the effects and reaction across Southwest Michigan following the event, as well as first hand accounts of the reporters. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware...

In this episode, I explore the Historical lenses used to explore history, beginning with the common frameworks of Social, Political and Economic factors. I also discuss the importance of understanding the religious, moral, legal and other lenses such as bias that one might encounter in the study of history. I also discuss how important it is to approach all history with the lens of curiousity abov...

In this episode, Brenna Pixley and Ashley Kloote join me from Earthcraft, and organization based in Scotts, Michigan which is dedicated to Ancestral Skillshare which includes experiential learning, intergenerational exchange and an effort to build an enduring community. Also in the program is archeologist Tom Talbot who will be presenting a program 'Mysteries in Stone' at the upcoming Eart...

In this episode I explore the history of the Michigan Soldiers Home and Cemetery in Grand Rapids. I refer to an article published in the Michigan History Magazine of July/August 2026 written by Bruce Kalish. For information on how to subscribe the Michigan History Magazine visit: https://www.hsmichigan.org/read/michigan-history For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelawa...

In this episode, I explore the life of Ernie Harwell the 50 year voice of Detroit Tigers Baseball who retired in 2002, and passed away in 2010. The source material for this episode is an article in Michigan History Magazine July/August 2026 'Ernie Harwell: The Voice of Michigan Summers'. To subscribe to the Michigan History Magazine, visit this link here: https://www.hsmichigan.org/read/mi...

In this episode, I explore some early history of the pioneer era and founding of Springport township and Springport village in Jackson County. To read the source material, click here. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I discuss the history of prostitution post-civil war to the turn of the century in Michigan. I discuss the moral influence on the circuit courts, and examine the story of Ella Lester in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1872 when three men came calling on her at the same time, and the tragic result of that encounter. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware....

In this episode I explore some of the history of the Grand Trunk Railroad moving their repair shops for their steam engines to Battle Creek in 1908, and it all surrounds an iconic photo taken the day it opened by photographer Isaac D Smith. For more information on Michael Delaware visit: MichaelDelaware.com

Ever wonder how Lansing became the Capitol of Michigan? In this episode, I explore some of that early history as well as the State Capitol building. For more information, visit: MichaelDelaware.com

In this episode I explore some of the history of saloon row that once existed in the early 1900's in Kalamazoo in the Pre-Prohibition era. To read the Kalamazoo Library Article, click here . For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://MichaelDelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history and impact of the Presidential Election of 1848 which former Territorial Governor and Senator from Michigan Lewis Cass was the Democratic candidate who lost to General Zachary Taylor, in a race than also included former President Martin Van Buren. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of the innovation of curb cuts for wheel chair accessibility which had its origins in Southwest Michigan, first being introduced in Battle Creek in 1945, and later in Kalamazoo that same year, 45 years before the American with Disabilities Act in 1990. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore the 1887 book ' History of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan: A Grammar of their Language, and Personal and Family History of the Author ' by Andrew J. Blackbird, and Native American interpretor for the U.S. Government in Michigan. To read the full text of this book, it is available at the Library of Congress here. For more information on Michael Delawa...

In this episode, I explore the unsolved case of the Glass Family Murders of 1838, and the lingering mystery that surrounds it. For more information, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore a story from 1850 when travelers who dined at the Kalamazoo Exchange Hotel began dying suddenly following an afternoon meal. All total 13 people died within a few days, and it took two weeks for doctors and investigators to isolate the cause. The news of the events unfolding traveled all over the world, and creating fears of a new epidemic on the rise. For more informatio...