Muskegon History and Beyond with the Lakeshore Museum Center

In this follow up episode about Arctic Grayling, we check back in on the progress of the Arctic Grayling and their reintroduction into Michigan's waterways. Find out what new steps have been taken and how far this initiative has gone.

The Civilian Conservation Corps or CCC, was a program in the 1930s and early 1940s that employed men to work on various conservation and community projects. In part 1 we will look at the founding of the CCC, how their camps were set up, and what skills the men learned. Join us later for part 2 as we examine their projects in Muskegon County.

Camp Pendalouan was founded by the Muskegon YMCA in 1923. In its 100 years, it has seen thousands of Campers from Muskegon and beyond. Listen to this episode to hear a brief history of one of the camps on the shores of Big Blue Lake.

The Tiffin Report was the findings of a land survey of the Michigan Territory. This survey would decry much of Michigan as unfit for farming and habitation and held back settlers to the area for many years. In this episode find out more about the survey done and what they had to say.

At times Mona View Cemetery has been one of the areas most beautiful cemetery's. It has also had the title of one of the areas most neglected. Listen in to learn about the ups and down of this burial ground.

Muskegon County is home to many summer camps. One camp, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, is entering its 60th year of providing summer arts education to youth from around the world. Listen in to this episode to learn about the early years of camp and the driving force that was Fritz Stansell.

In the not so distant past rabies used to be a common and very deadly disease. Spread by animal bites, particularly dog bites, rabies epidemics would threaten Muskegon County residents to the point that dramatic action would need to be taken. With the creation of the rabies vaccine this once deadly virus is now mostly kept under control. Listen in as we talk about the history of rabies and the res...

St Mary's Church is the oldest church and congregation in Muskegon. On the episode today we trace its origins from the early days of lumbering up until the present.

In the 1930s a series of maps were created to highlight neighborhoods best suited for home loans. These maps would carry with them implications that would lead to discriminatory practices and have lasting effect still today.

The Pere Marquette Railroad was a formed after a merger of three separate lines which operated in West Michigan. It would become the main line serving Michigan for passengers and cargo. Listen in as we cover the often tumultuous history of this rail line in Muskegon County.

A.F. Temple was a businessman, inventor, and politician. In this episode we look back at his life, some of his creations, and his legacy in Muskegon.

Sitting at the Muskegon Channel is a decorated WW2 submarine. The Silversides as it would be called, served in the Pacific Theater of the war and would become one of the most successful U.S. subs. Listen in to learn about the history of its service and some of those who served on it.

On March 16, 1945 one of the worst public service disasters to ever occur in Muskegon County happen. Firefighters and other first responders would head to the Mart Dock to put out a fire aboard the Illinois. While the fire was quickly dealt with a much more dangerous foe was aboard in the form of toxic gas.

Every winter hundreds of people make their way out onto the frozen lakes of Muskegon County for various activities. On occasion rescue or medical help is required. However, getting those responders out on the ice can be a challenge. So how was that problem solved? With a hovercraft! Listen in to learn about the history of hovercraft on our lakes.

Muskegon has seen many Presidential Campaigns and Presidential visits. With the first happening in 1884, our county has over a century of Presidential history. Listen in to learn who stopped in Muskegon and the places in town most often visited by Presidential Candidates. 

Born in Italy, Peter Spaniola immigrated to the United States and made his way to Muskegon. Eventually he and his family would run a local grocery store, but not without many trials and tribulations including a robbery gone wrong, a rabid dog attack, and a terrible family tragedy.

Located in the Northeast corner of Muskegon County, Holton and Holton Township have a long history. Much of the area was included as reservation land in the Treaty of Detroit and it would become mixed up in various land claims. Eventually a small community would grow and flourish there.

From 1943-1954, the United States saw its first professional women's sports, notably in the form of baseball. This episode will look at how the women's league got its start and why it ended. There will also be talk of Muskegon's own team, the Lassies and their history.

During World War II the Muskegon chapter of the Red Cross was looking for a new home. They found a home at the old Hackley House, which was donated to them by Erie, daughter of Charles and Julia. Listen in as we talk about how the Red Cross operated in this historic house and what services they provided during wartime.

Nestled in a small lot in downtown Muskegon, the Monet Garden is a piece of tranquility in a busy city. This garden is a tribute to Claude Monet the famous French impressionist painter and his garden in France. This episode will explain how this local garden came to be and what existed on that spot before it was transformed. Lakeshore Garden Masters Website: https://www.lakeshoregardenmasters.org/...

Did you know that Muskegon in the 1880s had a mini salt boom? Always trying to diversify their business and the towns industry, many lumber barons followed the suit of Saginaw area barons who had great success drilling brine wells to produce salt. Today we look at where this salt came from, how it was produced, and why it ultimately never gained any long term footing in Muskegon.

Millions of years ago much of Michigan was covered in a shallow salt water sea. This sea would shape Michigan in many ways including what bedrock, fossils, and resources we would have. Today we learn all about this sea and the basin it created.

The Michigan Irish Music Festival occurs every year in Muskegon in September, and has become one of the largest Irish music festivals in the United States. In this interview we discuss the festivals history, how it operates, and how you can get involved. To find out more information, purchase tickets, or to volunteer check out: https://michiganirish.org/

Did you know that during WWII German prisoners worked on Muskegon farms? On this episode we will look at the reasons why they were here, and the lifelong connections that formed between the prisoners and farmers.

What began as Deer Park, a petting zoo with deer being a main attraction, would eventually add various rides and become the top attraction in West Michigan. Today we trace the history of Michigan's Adventure from its early days to today.