Muskegon History and Beyond with the Lakeshore Museum Center

Originally built as a Civilian Conservation Corps project during the Great Depression, the Blockhouse with its great view of Lake Michigan, quickly became a local icon and popular destination. It also became a target for vandals and would survive much before being burned down in 1962. The destruction of this structure proved the communities love of the Blockhouse and after years of campaigning the...

Today we are joined by Mallory Metzger, Marketing and Program Coordinator for Hackley Public Library as we talk about the creation, history, and legacy of this Muskegon cultural institution. We also discuss the library's role in Muskegon's community today and the resources they provide.

On part two of our history of the Maccabees, we examine a Muskegon resident Mother Adelphia Ward and her mission to create a women's branch of the Maccabees. Find out what vital role this organization played and what it took for a female led organization to get the credibility and respect it deserved.

The Knights of the Maccabees were a fraternal order that at one time had members throughout North America. Over the years the organization disbanded except for a strong presence that lasted in Michigan. In this part 1 of 2 we examine the history of this organization, in part 2 to follow in two weeks, we will cover the strong ties between the Maccabees and Muskegon.  

Charles Hackley, in his lifetime, gave much back to Muskegon in his desire to make it a better place. Many of these donations still serve Muskegon County residents today. Our topic today however, has recently had it's story come to a close in its physical form, but will remain in the minds and hearts of many of our listeners. Today we look at the creation and history of Hackley Hospital. 

George Quimby was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and spent much of his early life in Western Michigan. As a young man he was a sailor in the Great Lakes but also was a part of many early archaeological excavations in Muskegon County. He would become the director of the Lakeshore Museum Center in 1942 before becoming the Curator of North American Archaeology at the Field Museum in Chicago. Quimby c...

In the winter of 1978, Muskegon County and most of Michigan saw over 2 feet of snow fall in period of several hours. On our episode today we look at the circumstances that led to this super storm, how residents dealt with it, and the consequences of that blizzard.  

As we begin 2022 we would like to take a look back 100 years ago to what was happening in Muskegon County and the United States.

Filling a unique triangular slice of land in downtown Muskegon, the Flat Iron Building was positioned in an ideal place. Listen in as we talk about the history of the creation of this building and its later demolition.  

Today's episode dives into the tumultuous life of one of Charles Hackley's grandsons, Leigh "Hack" Smith. This episodes looks both at the highs and lows in his life and how he helped carry on the Hackley legacy in Muskegon and abroad. 

In part 2 of our story on White Lake we examine the history of clean up in White Lake and the various groups and organizations responsible for the effort. 

In part 1 of our story on White Lake we examine the history of several industries in the White Lake area and how they impacted the lake and local environment. In part 2 we will focus on the clean up effort the revitalized White Lake and restored it to some of its former glory.  

Reverend Archibald Hadden served First Congregational Church in Muskegon for 28 years. However this was just a part of his life. Hadden would also be a city commissioner, mayor, president of Hackley Hospital, serve on the committee for the Hackley Park statues, and argue for the creation of playgrounds in Muskegon. The Reverend was well respected in Muskegon and on our episode today we will dive i...

Our podcast episode today will be a little different. Instead of focusing on a specific topic, place, or person, we are going to do a broad episode to cover the history of lumbering in the area. Lumbering was vital to the development of the area and Michigan as a whole, and on today's episode we are going to explain exactly how lumbering was done. 

In part two of a history of Hoffmaster Park, Wendy interviews long time naturalist Elizabeth Tillman about her time at Hoffmaster and the changes she has seen to the park over the years. 

In this episode staff member Wendy interviews her father Charles DeWitt and her Uncle Feller about their experiences growing up near Norton Township Park, which would later become Hoffmaster State Park. The duo shares stories of their time in the park and the changes they have seen to it over the years. 

On today's special episode in partnership with the Michigan Irish Music Festival and their Hackley Hooley event on September 18th, we take a look at the history of the most famous Irishmen to call Muskegon home, Thomas Hume. Business partner to Charles Hackley, Thomas Hume would in his life acquire millions, much of which was given back to the community of Muskegon. We will also be releasing a pod...

On today's special episode in partnership with the Michigan Irish Music Festival and their Hackley Hooley event on September 18th, we take a look at the history of Irish settlers in Muskegon County and some of their contributions to our past. Please make sure to also listen to our episode on Irishmen Thomas Hume and his life story. 

Today's podcast is off to the races as we examine the history of The Muskegon Race Course and one of its most famous competitors who went on to win great fame Red Rhone.  Image Credit: M-Live Audio Credits: 1989 Balmoral Park RED RHONE Randy Edmunds Author: Harnessdom, uploaded August 6th, 2016 URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuGYbzeH2Zo 1989 Sportsmans Park RED RHONE Open Handicap Trot...

The Pomona or Fruitport Pavilion was once one of the most popular attractions in Muskegon County. This dance hall saw many famous musicians play on the shores of Spring Lake including Louis Armstrong and Lawrence Welk among others. Tragically the pavilion would burn down in 1963 and would never be rebuilt, ending an era in Fruitport.  

George McCoy may have been one of Muskegon Counties most interesting criminals, and was always in trouble with the law. From shooting Charles Hackley's brother Porter, to shooting at the sheriff, and all his various escapes from prison. McCoy's story fills a book of broken laws and prison sentences. In our episode today we try to piece together the story of his life of crime.  

Lawrence Hogan was a Muskegon County resident who may have set the record for the amount of time spent in court. From lawsuits over farm animals, to cases of assault, to the argument with a neighbor that got him bitten and in the hospital with tetanus. Lawrence Hogan certainly knew his way around the court room. Join us to listen about his legal experiences and get insight into the daily activitie...

Electricity is so vital to our lives today that it is hard for us to imagine a world without it. As vital as it is today when electricity was first introduced it took awhile before it gained in popularity and wide spread use. On our episode today we trace the ups and down of early electricity in Muskegon.  

On September 6, 1901 President William McKinley was shot while visiting the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. He would later die from this wound and the nation began the process of grieving. Charles Hackley, a supporter of McKinley would after his death donate funds for the creation of a statue of the martyred president. Today's episode covers McKinley's life and the story of h...

Starting as Central Paper, the paper mill in Muskegon had many names and a long history to match it. Central Paper ended up being located in Muskegon partially because of a glance at a map, from this fortuitous glance it grew to be a leading industry in town and saw many ups and downs in business. In the past years this large complex has been torn down, but its legacy still lives on in Muskegon.&n...