Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past

In this espisode, I explore some of the known history of the mysterious mound builder civilization that existed in Southwest Michigan going back 5000 years. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore the Willard A. Norton Directory from 1899 for the cities of Dowagiac, Cassopolis and surrounding areas. It is a look at the long forgotten businesses of over 120 years ago, and what was important in thart era, with a comparison to today. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Author TR Shaw joins me for an interview to discuss the upcoming 100th Anniversary of the Kellogg Airport which is coming up in 2024. He has been the chair of the planning committee on the year long celebration, and also had been giving talks on the history of the airport. We talk about the 100 year history, and other stories. For more information on TR Shaw, or to get a copy of his book 'Defy...

In this episode I explore some early stories of the pioneer logging days of Cadillac, Michigan. The material for this episode comes from a book written in 1892 entitled: 'Cadillac, its past, present and future: A Symposium.' It can be read in full in the Michigan County Histories collection on the U of M website. Here is the direct link to the book. For more information on Michael Delaware...

In this episode, I explore how Halloween was celebrated over 100 years ago by sharing stories from Benton Harbor, Marshall, Battle Creek, South Haven, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and other cities in Southwest Michigan. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the story of the J. Oswald Boyd which left on its fatal voyage in 1936 from the Theisen-Clemons Terminal in St. Joseph, Michigan and take six years to arrive at its destination in Detroit. Over the years it became known as the Death Ship. For more information on this story or to get a copy of Michigan History Magazine, click here . For more information on Michael Delaware...

In this episode I share a colleciton of humorous tales from a historical record of Daniel Mevis written in 1911, reflecting on the 1840's and 1850's in his boyhood pioneer days in Lansing, Michigan. For more information Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com To sign up to recieve notice of Michael's upcoming book: Victorian Southwest Michigan True Crime, click here .

In this episode I explore some of the early history of cemeteries around Calhoun County and when they were founded. I also give some stories of early cemeteries being relocated, and the use of cadaver dogs in cemetery research. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, Author Amberrose Hammond joins me to talk about some Michigan monster and ghost stories. Her book 'Ghosts and Legends of Michigan's West Coast' contains some chilling stories from Southwest Michigan. For books and information on Amberrose Hammond, visit: https://mysteriousmichigan.com/store/ For information on the Mid-Michigan Paranormal Convention, visit: https://www....

In this episode I explore the account of a man named Daniel Mevis where is describes his early boyhood when his parents settled the family in Lansing Michigan in the 1840's. He describes encounters with animals, insects, hunting and encounters with the Okemos tribe among other stories. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com For tickets to Tales of Christma...

In this episode I explore the manufacturing industry of Battle Creek from an article published in January 1st, 1916 looking back at the prior year. The article explores the growth of the city with new buildings, and the variety of manufacturing occuring, during a time when European imports to the USA were in decline because the war. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeld...

In this episode, Judy Gail Krasnow joins me to talk about her book 'Jacktown: History & Hard Times at Michigan's First State Prison'. We explore some of the early history of the prison, and some of the stories of people in its long history. To purchase a copy of Jacktown, click here. To get a copy of Judy's other book 'The Town that Shot Itself in the Foot' click here....

In this episode I explore the history of Coloma, Michigan which was first known as 'Dickerville'. Explore the early pioneer struggles with commerce, exploding mills and harsh winters. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore some of the early pioneer history of the village of Watervliet in Berrien County, Michigan . The first settler in the area arrived in 1832, and the place was originally known as 'Shingle Diggings' from the early shingle industry. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore some stories of the millinery/hatmaking industry. I also profile a woman named Mary Morgan who led an exceptional life in Michigan in the millinery business, and other stories. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com To follow Michael Delaware on Facebook, visit: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDelawareAuthor

In this episode I explore the works of Washington Gardner where he defines the early history of the Temperance Movement in Michigan. Particularily explaining the Washingtonian Movement, the Red Ribbon Movement, the Women's Christian Temperance Movement and the various legislative actions of the late 1800's influenced by this. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michael...

In this episode I explore the history of thc Charlotte Brewery that once existed from 1870 - 1909 in Charlotte, Michigan. The article referred to in this episode is from a book entitled 'Spirits of the Past' published by the Eaton County Historical Commission. To find out more information about this organization or to obtain a copy of this book, visit: https://eatoncountyhistory.org For mo...

Parcel post was introduced by the USPS on January 1st, 1913 and in the early years there were many interesting stories of about what people were shipping, as well as the challenges the postal workers had in adapting to the new service. There were even stories of people shipping children by parcel post! For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of the early streetcar systems which were originally pulled by horses, and their transition to electric street cars, and eventually the establishment of the interurban cars that ran between cities. For information on Kalamazoo history on this subject, click here . For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of the trial of George Vanderpool for the murder of Herbert Field in 1869. The saga resulted in three separate trials held in Manistee, Kalamazoo and Hastings, Michigan. The story received statewide, national and international attention in the news over a two year period. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, Anne Harrigan, the Music Director for the Battle Creek Symphony joins me to talk about the 125 years legacy of the oldest continually operating orchestra in Michigan history. For information and tickets to the Battle Creek Symphony visit: https://yourmusiccenter.org/symphony/ Tickets are now available for the 125th Season! For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://m...

In this episode I explore the history of wildcat banking and the panic of 1837 in Michigan, which existed between 1837 and the mid 1840's. It was a period of almost no regulation on the banking industry, and a lot of devaluation of currency and financial panic in the USA. Much of the material in this episode is taken from Washington Gardner's Book 'History of Calhoun County' publis...

In this episode I explore some of the history of survivors of the Titanic disaster that lived in Michigan, with many stories from Southwest MI. The Titanic struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912 and onboard were 2200 passengers, and 61 had Michigan connections. The read the book 'A Night to Remember' by Walter Lord click here . For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeld...

In this episode, Author Nicole Beauchamp joins me to talk about her new book ' Haunted Bars & Pubs of Michigan' . The new book is an eerie roadtrip around the mitten state through haunted places. She gives us some inside details of some of the stories, and her research into their history. To get a copy of her new book, click here: https://amzn.to/3sTX5jy To follow Nicole Beauchamp on F...

In this episode I explore details about the early history and conditions of the Michigan State Prison in Jackson founded in the 1800's. The information is take from a book written by author Judy Gail Krasnow 'Jacktown: History & Hard Times at Michigan's First State Prison'. For a copy of her book, click here. To find out more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://mich...