Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past

In this episode I explore the golden age of cigar manufacturing in Southwest Michigan which was between the 1870's to early 1920's. There were cigar manufacturing operations in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Grand Rapids which I explore in this look back into the past. For some of the source material, click here . For history of the Kalamazoo industry, click here. For more information on Mich...

In 1843 a socialistic society was formed that held their first meeting in Jackson, Michigan in December. Following the philosophy and writings of Charles Fourier they drafted their own constitution for communal living, and sought to establish a commune in Southwest Michigan. They settled on a site in Comstock Michigan, just west of Galesburg. They built a mill, a mill race and a mansion for everyo...

On a bitter cold morning in January 1963, Daisy Zick was brually murdered in her home in Battle Creek, Michigan. In this episode, I interview Author Blaine Pardoe who wrote the book: ' Murder in Battle Creek: The Mysterious Death of Daisy Zick ' which covers in detail the crime, and the investigation. Today, the murder remains unsolved. To get a copy of the book, visit: https://amzn.to/3Hk...

In this episode I explore the early pioneer history of the founding of Hastings, Michigan. I use as a reference 'History of Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan with illustrations and biographical sketches of their prominent men and pioneers' which was published in 1880 by D.W. Ensign & Co. I explore the early pioneer founders of the village, including the first tavern keepers, mills,...

In this episode I explore the life of Betty Hutton, who was born Elizabeth June Thornburg in 1921 in Battle Creek, Michigan. She went on to find success as a singer, and an actress of stage and screen. She performed in over 20 films during the golden age of musicals in Hollywood. Some of her most popular films were 'Annie Get Your Gun' 1950, 'The Greatest Show on Earth' 1952 and &#...

In this episode, Laurie Perkins, the site historian for the Walker Tavern Historic Site which is part of Cambridge Junction Historic State Park . The Walker Tavern was built in 1832, and there is a lot of fascinating history of the people who owned it, as well as the community of Cambridge Junction. For more information on the Walker Tavern Historic Site, visit: https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/museum...

In this episode I explore some of the history of Jonesville, Michigan located in Hillsdale County. It is located approximately 20 miles north of the intersection of the state lines of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. The village was founded in the early 1830's and was recently chartered as a city in 2014. Jonesville has been the home some facinating industry and people. For the 150 year anniversary...

In this episode, I explore the life of Elijah Pendill the first Mayor of Battle Creek elected in 1859. He served three terms, and was know for his strong enforcement of the 1855 Statewide Prohibition laws in Michigan. His wife Mary Pendill was also an activist in the Temperence movement in Battle Creek. To see the poster created by Nathaniel Currier in 1846 entitled The Drunkard's Progress, cl...

In this episode, I interview Bobbie Mathis from the Union City Society for Historic Preservation and Andrew Noland from Silent Cities Restoration . Both have spent many thousands of hours touring old cemeteries, and working on headstone and monument restoration projects. In this interview we discuss unusual headstones and monuments we have encountered. Ones that made us smile, ones that impressed...

In this episode I explore some of the history and the people of Three Oaks, located in Berrien County, Michigan. Three Oaks was the home of Edward Kirk Warren who founded the Warren Featherbone Company, and also the film location for the Christmas movie 'Prancer' which hit the screens in 1989. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of the first telephones installed in Battle Creek, and the creation of the first telephone exchange. Drive by the persistence of Fire Chief John Bohnett in 1882, the City of Battle Creek was able to establish its own telephone system and eventually expand to long distance calling in 1883. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware...

This this episode, author Dianna Stampfler joins me to talk about the history of Michigan lighthouses. She is the author of two books: 'Michigan's Haunted Lighthouses' and 'Death and Lighthouses on the Great Lakes'. Dianna is also the President of Promote Michigan which serves as an outlet to promote all things in the Great Lakes State. To purchase signed copies of Dianna's...

In this episode I explore the history of the Checker Motors Company that existed in Kalamazoo. The company manufactured the iconic Checker Cabs used in cities all over the USA, and often seen as a backdrop to any classic film in New York City. The last Checker Cab rolled off the assembly line on July 12th, 1982 and today resides in the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan. To read the a...

In this episode I explore some of the history of the old territorial roads, mail routes and stage coach lines through Southwest Michigan through the works of historian Charles E. Barnes which was written in April 1908. It is a fascinating look at the origins of the original roads of travel, the later established mail routes and the stage coach lines. To watch the video on the Territorial Roads: ht...

In this episode I had the opportunity for an exclusive interview with screenplay writer Gary Gurner , on his project to bring the life story of music legend Del Shannon to the big screen. Del Shannon was born Charles Westover in Grand Rapids, and grew up in Coopersville, Michigan. He launched his career at the HiLo Club in Battle Creek, Michigan where he performed the hit song 'Runaway' fo...

In this episode I explore the history of the village of Hickory Corner s, and also the Gilmore Car Museum and the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary at the biological station. All are in Hickory Corners, which is located in Barry County, Michigan. For more information on the Gilmore Car Museum , visit: https://gilmorecarmuseum.org For more information on the WK Kellogg Bird Sanctuary , visit: https://bir...

Kalamazoo was once the home of the rising Duplex Phonograph Company that produced the ' Duplexophone ' using the motto " Made For You in Kalamazoo ". The company lasted from 1905 to 1910, when it folded following a series of lawsuits for patent infringement by the Victor Talking Machine Company. The unique Duplex twin-horn phonograph was designed by Charles E. Hill, a Canadian im...

In this episode, Steve Salisbury from the Facebook Page 'If Vines Could Talk' joins me for a talk on the history of the wine industry in Michigan. We take a tour through some of the early history in the state, as well as have a look at Prohibition and the different vineyards and wineries in the region. We also have a great discussion on types of grapes used, and the popular wineries in Wes...

In East Leroy in 1848, there lived two brothers, James and John Winters. One was a respected citizen, who served as township Supervisor and earned the title of Captain during the Civil War. The other was an axe murderer. Join me for this walk through history with a compelling story of murder, community and the difficult ties of brotherhood. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://...

In this episode I explore the roughly 100 year history of the Quakers that once lived in Battle Creek. I discuss the early pioneers, Jonathan Hart and the Merritt Brothers, and some of their family, as well as the changes in the Society of Friends over the years leading to their decline. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of the village of Verona that once was an independent rival to Battle Creek, and no longer exists. Today what remains of Verona has been absorbed by Battle Creek, but in 1837 it was quickly becoming a mill town. It was being guided by the hand of its founder Ezra Convis who was also the Speaker of the House of the State of Michigan. The future looked good for...

In this episode I explore the hsitory of the Morgan Family starting from Morgan Cemetery in East Leroy, following the lives of the first and second generation of this family. William and Susan Morgan came to the U.S. from England in 1829, and eventually moved to Michigan in 1867. Their family grew up in the area, and their children led fascinating lives, mostly around Battle Creek and East Leroy....

In this episode I explore the history of Dowagiac, Michigan from its first platting. From its early boom as a hub in Southwest Michigan as a wheat distribution depot, to its industrial period and post industrial era, Dowagiac is a fascinating town with some interesting stories. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, Sarah Rice who is the author a book that is coming out in April called 'A History of Archway Cookies: A Taste of 20th Century Americana' joins me for an interview on the history of the company. Archway Cookies was founded in Battle Creek by Harold and Ruth Swanson, and grew to become an international company with bakeries all over the USA, Canada and in Japan. It is a fasc...

In this episode I explore the life of Malcolm X and his formative years living in Lansing, East Lansing and later in Mason, Michigan. His childhood was filled with tragedy, and the source for this story comes from this article on Michiganology.org. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com