Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past

In this episode, author Tom Carr joins me again to talk about stories of Michigan True Crime. In this episode he covers a story about John Dillinger who had an accomplice that traveled through Southwest Michigan from Indiana, as well as other tales about lumberjack brothels, stories about growing up with his father, and much more. To follow Tom Carr on Facebook, visit: https://www.facebook.com/tom...

Cemetery restoration experts Bobbie Mathis and Andrew Noland join me again to talk about Michigan ghost stories, encounters and also an upcoming presentation on cemetery restoration and symbology. For information on the upcoming event on Saturday, October 12th, Tombstone Preservation, Restoration & Symbology, click here. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com

In this episode, True Crime Author Rod Sadler joins me for a talk on his books. He discusses his investigative process, research, murder site visits and much more. For information and books by Rod Sadler, visit: https://www.rodsadler.com To follow Rod Sadler on Facebook, visit: Facebook.com/RodSadlerAuthor For information on the event we are participating in at the Grand Ledge Area District Librar...

In this episode, Author Allie Seibert joins me to discuss her company 'Household History' and the process of researching the history of a home, as well some true crime stories she has uncovered. For more information Allie Seivert, her books & Household History, visit: Householdhistory.com To follow Household History on Facebook, Click here. For information on the Writing the Dark event to be h...

In this episode I explore the Wildcat Banking Era in Michigan which began in 1837 and lasted until approximiatly 1845 when the first state banking law was introduced by the legistlature. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the symbology of clubs, organizations and secret societies found in historic cemeteries. For a copy of Tui Snider's book: Understanding Cemetery Symbols , click here. For a link to her website: https://tuisnider.com/ For information on Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com

In this episode, I tell the story of Mary Sanderson from my book Victorian Southwest Michigan True Crime . To attend the Michigan History Author Symposium and get tickets, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/mihistoryauthorsymposium For more information or to contact Michael Delaware , visit: ⁠ https://michaeldelaware.com ⁠

In this episode, I explore the historic markers found in Cass County Michigan, and talk about some of the history of the county. For the link on where to locate historic markers in Michigan, click here. For more information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of Kalamazoo's extraordinary inventor Jay B. Rhodes using the book written by author Cynthia Jeffrey. Rhodes in his day was referred to as the 'Kalamazoo Edison' and the 'Patent King' as he filed over 230 patents in his lifetime. The impact from his inventions impacted a range of industries including world events. For information about Cynt...

In this episode I explore the history of the Wallace Woolen Mill established in 1844 by William Wallace, a miller from Vermont. The mill was owned by Wallace until he sold it in 1872, and the building later became the Union School Furniture Company. For tickets to the Michigan History Author Symposium in Battle Creek, click here: https://events.humanitix.com/mihistoryauthorsymposium For more infor...

In this episode author Amberrose Hammond joins me to share stories from her book 'Wicked Grand Rapids'. We also share news about an upcoming event we will be participating in on September 28th in Battle Creek called the Michigan History Author Symposium. For ticket information on the Michigan History Author Symposium , click here: https://events.humanitix.com/mihistoryauthorsymposium For i...

In this episode, I explore the early history of Vermontville, Michigan. For more information on the village history of Vermontville, click here. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

This episode is a replay of an interview with Dennis Skupinski that was recorded in November 2022 on the History of the War of 1812 . I am reposting this interview in honor of the memory of Dennis who passed away in December 2023. For information on where donate to the Michigan Military Heritage Museum, visit: ⁠ https://mimhm.org/donation ⁠ The museum mailing address is: 311 N. Wisner St., Jackson...

In this episode, I explore the history of the early railroads in Allegan County, the impact it had on population growth and the changes over the years. I also discuss the financial panics of 1857 and 1873 which had an impact on the growth and direction of transportation in the nation. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, Gulf War Veteran, Author & Photographer Richard Sherman joins me to talk about his new book: Never Home: Remembering the Military Heroes Who Never Returned. This book was a project that took 6 years, and 8 seperate trips overseas to collection information and photograph. He visited 23 of America's military cemeteries overseas, and included 225 photos and 50 biographies in...

In this episode I explore the history of the National Driving Park in Kalamazoo, horse racing, harness racing and the legend one horse that shocked the world on a track in that city named 'Flora Temple'. For the article refered to in this episode, click here. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore the history of the Potter House in Battle Creek, Michigan. The Potter House was a hotel that was built in 1869, and opened in 1870. It was burned down in 1880, and was rebuilt as the Potter Block. It has a fascinating history in the decade that it existed in the city. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I refer to a recent article in Michigan History Magazine written by Barry Levine on the history of Fort Custer. For more information on the Historical Society of Michigan, visit: https://www.hsm.pub For the video I mention in this episode on Fort Custer National Cemetery, click here. For information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, Maurice Imhoff, the President of the Jackson Civil War Society joins me to discuss the upcoming Jackson Civil War Muster , one of the largest reenactment events in the country. The event is happening on August 24-25, in Jackson, Michigan. For details on attending this free outdoor event, visit: https://civilwarmuster.org To follow details of the event on Facebook, click here. For...

In this episode, I explore the history of the Southern Michigan Baseball League and the teams in this league that existed in Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Jackson and Lansing between 1906 - 1915. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode Bobbie Mathis joins me from the Union City Society for Historic Preservation , and we discuss her recent cemetery restoration workshops at Sherwood Cemetery, in Sherwood, Michigan in Branch County. We also explore some history of the town of Sherwood which gets its name from the Nottingham Forest in England. For more information on the programs and organizations mentioned in this e...

In this episode I cover some stories of the olden days recorded about the pioneer period in Van Buren County, Michigan from a text written in 1912. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I interview Dr. Mirelle Luecke of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She has been the curator of the museum since 2022, and the organization is celebrating the 50th Anniversary this year of the Gerald R. Ford Presidency with special exhibits, programs and educational presentations. For more information on the Gerald R. Ford Presidential...

In this episode I explore pioneer recollections recorded in a book published in 1923 entitled "Pioneer History of Ingham County" by Mrs. Franc L. Adams. It covers stories written in 1873 by some of the pioneers who settled in Lansing and Mason. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I revisit stories from Benton Harbor as written by James Pender in his 1915 publication "History of Benton Harbor: Tales of Village Days" and cover the chapters on pastimes and entertainment. We explore ice skating, roller skating, the circus, baseball, skeet shooting and more! For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com