Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past

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

In this episode, I refer to an article written by Elizabeth Neumeyer in her book 'What's in a Name' on some of the history of 1916 in Battle Creek, Michigan. It was an interesting time where the automobiles were still new, and there were to live theaters in town, along with 5 movie theaters, fountains and so much more around Battle Creek. It is a fascinating snapshot into the past. For...

Mike Cox joins me from the Eaton County Historical Commission on the subject of the history of Native American Removal in Eaton County in the 1840's.  We also discuss some other local history in Eaton County, as well as museums and programs for the coming year. For more information on the Eaton County Historical Commission, visit: https://eatoncountyhistory.org For more information on Michael...

Join me as I explore the forgotten story of a murder that happened on the plank road between Battle Creek and Bedford Township Michigan on a cold December night in 1855. To watch the video I mention on Plank Roads and Barney's Tavern, click here: https://youtu.be/EeHZW02_BSA For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In 1998, Peter N. Stearns wrote an essay for the American Historical Association entitled 'Why Study History?' This essay defines comprehensively and clearly why a study of history is important.  He also describes the 'Labratory of the Human Experience'  that one gains access to when they do make a careful study of the subject. Join me as I read this amazing essay and discuss its import....

Dennis Skupinski from Michigan's Military Heritage Museum in Jackson, Michigan joins me to talk about the story of Rosie the Riveter.  We also explore some other history of Michigan women in wartime. For more information about the Michigan Military Heritage Museum , visit: https://mimhm.org/ For tickets to the Phenomenal Woman show at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum, visit: https://w...

Marshall, Michigan was once known as 'Patent Medicine Town' and one time had as many as 50 different patent medicine businesses.  The F. A. Stuart Company was founded by Frank Alfred Stuart, and it existed between 1893 - 1956.  In this episode I explore the history of the F.A. Stuart Company and some of the history of the Patent Medicine Industry, of which Marshall had some of the leadin...

In this episode I explore stories of early pioneer baseball in Michigan, and also the life of James Thomas 'Deacon' McGuire, AKA Jim 'Deacon' McGuire a professional baseball player from the 19th & 20th century who played for 26 years.  McGuire was considered one of the most durable catchers in his era, and is often referred to as a player who changed the game for the catchers who followed...

In this episode, I interview three members of the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County on the subject of truths and myths of the Underground Railroad. The James E. Bonine House, the Bonine Carriage House, and the Stephen Bogue House are all properties preserved and maintained by the URSCC.  The organization recently purchased in 2022 the Brownsville School, which they are beginning res...

John me as I explore the life of Henry Rowe Schoolcraft (1793 - 1864) who was a geographer, geologist and ethnologist noted for his early studies of Native American cultures as well as several expeditions into the wilderness of the Northwest Territory, including Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin.   For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaelde...

Edward Tiffin was the first Governor of Ohio.  He was later a U.S. Senator, and eventually was appointed by President Madison to be the Chief Land Surveyor of the Northwest Territory, of which Michigan was a part.  A medical doctor by trade, and also an itinerant preacher, Tiffin conducted a survey of the territories of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin between 1814 - 1816 as par...

In this episode I interview Mac McCollough from the Willard Library, and we discuss the great historians of Battle Creek.  We cover some of the earliest writers of history from the pioneer period all the way to present day.  We also talk about some of the other great resources soon to come to the Willard Library archives.

In this episode I explore an article written and published by historian Charles E. Barnes in the Sunday Record on April 19, 1908 entitled 'Escaped Slaves Found a Safe Haven in Battle Creek Before the War' .  Charles Barnes was born in 1848 and grew up in Battle Creek.  He entered the newspaper business at a young age, and met many of the people he writes about in this article.  In t...