Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past

In this episode, I explore the origins of some unusual street names in Battle Creek, Michigan. The information is taken from articles in a book published by Elizabeth Neumeyer entitled 'What's in a Name?' To get a copy of the book, visit the Battle Creek Regional History Museum at 307 W Jackson St, Battle Creek, MI on weekends 10-4PM, or at the same address visit the Historical Society...

In this episode I explore the history of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway . It was the principle route for travelers coming from New York to Chicago, and it connected Lake Michigan with the East Coast. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of Interstate 94, and the Interstate Highway system. I-94 is unique as it is the only Interstate that has a numbeer not divisible by 5, and it is also the only one running West to East that connects with another country, Canada. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore the history of assassinations in America covering Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Robert F. Kennedy and Charlie Kirk, along with several other cases of attempted assassinations. I also discuss the changes I have observed as a historian with the American education system which has disconnected present day youth from...

In this episode, I conclude the three part series on the story of Sarah Haviland. In this final segment, I explore what happened to Sarah after she was sent to prison in 1966 at the Michigan State Prison in Jackson, Michigan. I also cover what her experience was, compared to other prisoners, and carry her story all the way through to her pardon by Governor Treadway Rich in 1896. I also cover the r...

This is part 2 of the three part story on Sarah Haviland, a woman who murdered her three children in 1865 in Battle Creek, Michigan. In this episode, I cover her sinister plan that she created with Dr. Daniel Baker, and how it unfolded, resulting in the death of three children. Her plans were foiled by the innocence of one of her surviving daughters, Phoebe. Sarah Haviland and Daniel Baker are cha...

In this eposide I begin a three part series on the story of Sarah Haviland from my book 'Victorian Southwest Michigan True Crime'. In this part we follow her life as a mother, through divorce and her involvement with spiritualism. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://MichaelDelaware.com

Charles Sherwood Stratton AKA 'General Tom Thumb' had a condition known as pituitary dwarfism, and only grew to 2 feet, 10 inches tall in his life. He worked for years with showman P.T. Barnum, and in 1852 toured through southern Michigan, stopping in several southwest michigan towns. His 1863 wedding to a woman his same height was a national sensation, and for nearly 150+ years later it h...

In this episode I explore the history of the Kalamazoo Pant & Overall Company founded by Samuel Rosenbaum, and later carried on by his four sons. The company lasted 100 years in Kalamazoo. To read the source article, click here. For information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://MichaelDelaware.com

In this episode, I explore the life of Father Gabriel Richard (1767 - 1832) who served as Michigan's non-voting Delegate to the 18th Congress from 1823-1825. During his single term, he was successful in getting funds appropriated for building the Territoral Road between Detroit and Chicago. This road became the essential corridor for pioneers to settle Southern Michigan. He was also a co-found...

This is the second part of a two part series on the era of horse thieves in Michigan which ranged from 1850 - 1920. In this episode I explore the prominent Indiana-Michigan gangs that operated for approximiately 50 years. I also cover the various preventative societies that formed to combat these gangs, along with some high profile arrests of horse thieves. For more information on Michael Delaware...

In this episode, I begin a two part series on the era of horse thieves in the USA and Michigan from 1850 - 1925. In this first part, I explore national and Michigan stories, which offer insight into the problem it presented to its citizens, the value of horses and the emotional pulse of the society of the era regarding this lawless activity. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https:/...

In this episode I venture into a collection of strange crimes and stories found in old newspapers in Michigan. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore what Independence Day was like in 1941 prior to Pearl Harbor, and the USA entering WWII in Michigan, and compare it to 1942 & 1943. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://MichaelDelaware.com

In this episode I outline a summary of each chapter of my new book Murder in Victorian Western Michigan which is now available. For information on Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com

In this episode I explore the life of R&B Musician Wade Flemons , who launched his music career in Battle Creek with a hit single, and went on to become a founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire. For a copy of the book ' Here I Stand' by Sonya & Sean Hollins , Click Here. For tickets to the Del Shannon Tribute Concert, Click Here . For tickets to the Music Legacy Event on Sunday, June 29...

In this episode, I explore the early life of Michigan music legend Del Shannon from his early life in Coopersville to his days in Battle Creek and the hit song Runaway . For more information on the life of Del Shannon, visit: https://delshannon.com/biography For information on all of the Del Shannon Weekend events: https://BCRHM.org For tickets to the Del Shannon Tribute Concert on June 26th, 2025...

In this episode, I explore lost and forgotten stories with Aaron Helman, the author of the new book 'The Turtle, The Mitten & An Epic History of Michigan'. To get a copy of The Turtle, The Mitten & An Epic History of Michigan click here . For more information Aaron Helman, visit: https://www.aaronhelman.com For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.co...

In this episode, Bob Myers, the Director of History Programming at the Historical Society of Michigan and the Meijer Center for Michigan History joins me to discuss the organizations, its upcoming conferences, lecture series, programs and various publications. To join the Historical Society of Michigan , subscribe to the Michigan History Magazine or find out more about the organization and upcomin...

In this episode, I cover the early history of Memorial Day and tell the stories of four fallen heroes from four different wars from Calhoun County. I also announce some of the upcoming events and projects for the summer. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://MichaelDelaware.com For full details on the Del Shannon Weekend events and tickets, visit: https://BCRHM.org

This is the story of a five year old boy who disappeared under unusual circumstances in 1837 in Jackson Township, in Jackson County and then reappeared 29 years later to shock the community. His father searched for decades for his son, and another woman was rumored to be responsible for his death. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore the history of the American national holiday 'Mother's Day'. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, Chicago antique expert Jack Girsbach joins me along with Bobbie Mathis from the Union City Society for Historic Preservation. We discuss the stories behind antiques, the topic of haunted artifacts and also an exciting upcoming event on May 10, 2025 at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum . For tickets to the event on Saturday, May 10th, click here. To email Jack Girsbach with...

In this episode, I am joined by Author Allie Seibert to talk about her new book 'Bloodstained: Exploring Michigan's Darkest Murders Forgotten By Time'. We also discuss the various aspects of researching stories from the past, and its challenges. For more information on Author Allie Seibert, visit: https://householdhistory.com To follow her on Facebook, visit: https://www.facebook.com/a...

In this episode, professional Abraham Lincoln presenter Kevin J. Wood joins me to talk about the history of the 16th President in his visit to Kalamazoo, and also share the exciting news about the upcoming Association of Lincoln Presenters 2025 Annual Conference which is being held in Kalamazoo April 24-27, 2025. Click on these links below for more information on the event: Association of Lincoln...