Tales of Southwest Michigan's Past

In this episode, I explore some history of Victorian street conditions in the U.S. larger cities, as well as Southwest Michigan. I also look at several stories of runaway horses and carriage accidents from all over the region, including Battle Creek, Marshall, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Union City, etc. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://mich...

In this episode I explore the history of saloons in Battle Creek, and one in particular founded by a man named Frank Boos which opened in 1883. There was a death that occured in this saloon in 1888 that was full of controversy and resulted in a trial on the charge of manslaughter when one railroad worker killed another after a night of drinking. It is an interesting exploration into the pre-prohib...

In this episode, I look at a historical election year from 1874. I compare an editorial written 150 years ago on this election, and draw comparison to the rhetoric of present day, as we look forward at the coming 2024. I also share the successful results from the podcast in 2023, and some surprising statistics. Finally a give a short summary of three of the stories in my new book 'Victorian So...

In this episode Mac McCullough from Willard Library joins me to talk about stories from New Years, traditions around the holidays from his years at the newspaper and at the Willard Library. We also cover some historical events, and talk a little about local restaurants and plans for 2024. For more information on the Willard Library events, visit: https://willardlibrary.evanced.info/signup/calendar...

In this episode I explore life in Kalamazoo 100 years ago today on December 29th, 1923 through the secular newspaper the 'Augustinian'. The stories include religious themes, but also a lot of community interest stories, and advertising of the time. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore some of the history of the Kalamazoo & South Haven Railroad Company and its railway line between Kalamazoo and South Haven. I discuss some of the history of the Brownell and Hopkins stations in Kalamazoo on this line, as the other stops along its route. I also explore some of the other old railway systems that have since been converted into hiking and biking trails in...

As a special Christmas Eve presentation, I discuss Charles Dicken's famous novella 'The Cricket on the Hearth' published in 1845. Also in the episode, is a live radio performance of the story that originally aired 100 years later on 1945 by NBC Radio. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore what was happening in history in Benton Harbor, Michigan on December 22, 1923 which is exactly 100 years ago from the release of this episode. Hear stories of fun Christmas parties, crimes, automobiles, prices on homes, cows for sale, holiday shopping, Santa Claus and so much more! For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the influence of author Washington Irving on Christmas traditions in the Victorian era in Michigan. Washington Irving, more well known for his stories 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' and 'Rip Van Winkle' also was quite passionate about writing stories about Christmas. He is often regarded as the one who laid the foundation for many Christmas traditions that...

In this episode I interview Ross Richardson , who is a shipwreck hunter on the Great Lakes, and also an author. He tells stories of finding lost shipwrecks off the Western shores of Lake Michigan, and his involvement in the search for lost airplanes in the state among other tales. For more information on Ross Richardson, and to get copies of his two books, visit Michigan Mysteries at: https://www....

In this episode I explore what was happening in South Haven, Michigan on December 15th, 1923 by reading through the local newspaper of the time, the South Haven Tribune. Hear fascinating stories of what was happening in the U.S. at the time, but especially what was happening with the people in South Haven. Great stories of libraries, social gatherings, advertisements, classifieds, sports and other...

In this episode, Rhiannon Cizon joins me from the Berrien County Historical Association to talk about Christmas Memories. We talk about the filming of 'Prancer' in Three Oaks, the Pickle Festival in Berrien Springs, the Christmas lights on the Bluff in St. Joseph, the Santa in the river in Niles, and many other stories. For more information on the Berrien County Historical Association, vis...

In this episode, author Sarah Rice joins me again to talk about Christmas memories from Archway Cookies. She is the co-author of the book 'Archway Cookies: A Taste of 20th Century Americana'. Hear about the many different Christmas cookies Archway developed over the years, the holiday parties, the traditions and challenges of this wonderful Michigan company. For a copy of the book, visit:...

In this episode we listen to two of Franklin D. Roosevelt's famous addresses to Congress and to the nation by means of his Fireside Chats following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The addresses were given on December 8th & 9th, 1941, and are preserved in the Library of Congress. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the origins of many present day Christmas traditions that originated in the Victorian Era. I also discuss different countries who have influenced the holiday, including England, Germany, Scandanavia, Latin America and the USA. Many of these traditions were held as a custom by pioneers in Southwest Michigan, and there was also a large influence by Charles Dickens. For more...

In this episode, Bobbie Mathis , the President of the Union City Society for Historic Preservation joins me to discuss vintage Christmas advertising, historic diaries and the literary influence in Michigan of Charles Dickens. It is a fun holiday interview, and we also share insight into our upcoming show 'Tales of Christmas Past' at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum and the celebrat...

In this episode I explore the top 10 most memorable winter snow storms in Michigan history. The Great Lakes State has experienced some very intense winter storms in the past. Join me as I take a dive into some of the worse storms in recorded history and try to rank them. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com Get your tickets for 'Tales of Christmas Past&#...

In this episode I explore the history of Borgess Hospital which was and idea sparked by Reverend Frank O'Brien in 1888, who successfully drove the funding to make the first hospital in the city possible. Named after Bisphop Caspar Henry Borgess from Detroit who donated the first funds to the project, the institution has undergone a lot of developments and challenges over its 100+ year history....

Dave Eddy , known in Battle Creek as the ' Morning Mayor ' of WBCK Radio joins me to talk about holiday memories from his 40+ years with the morning program. Enjoy stories of early remote broadcasts, drunk Santa, the blizzard of 1978, Red Skelton. Richard Simmons and other wonderful stories. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com For tickets to 'Ta...

In this episode I explore the story of the Schooner Rouse Simmons, also known as 'The Christmas Tree Ship' that sank in 1912 in Lake Michigan. To read the source article on this story, click here. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com To order tickets for Tales of Christmas Past, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/tours/christmaspast

In this episode I explore the story of the sidewheel steamer Alpena which was lost in a storm known as 'The Big Blow' in October 1880. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com For tickets to Tales of Christmas Past, go to this link: https://events.humanitix.com/tours/christmaspast

In 1940, Veterans Day was known as Armistice Day. On that holiday, a surprise winter storm struck the midwest, impacting northern states including Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan. The effects of this storm and its aftermath changed climatologists prediction methods for generations to follow. It was one of the most memorable storms in US history. For more information on the history behind t...

In this episode, I explore the history of Mary Clark, the first woman physician of Calhoun County who practiced for 50+ years in Battle Creek, and also in Albion, Kalamazoo and other places in the U.S. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com Get tickets to Tales of Christmas Past on December 16th, here: https://events.humanitix.com/tours/christmaspast

In this episode, I explore the early history of education in Michigan and Calhoun County. I particularly explore the influence of Rev. John Pierce and Isaac Crary, and many others. For the historic timeline on EMU, click here. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com For tickets to Tales of Christmas Past, click here .

In this episode, I explore the history of the mint industry in Southwest Michigan. I expecially discuss the A.M. Todd Company in Kalamazoo, which at one time was the largest producer of mint and mint oils in the world. For the Kalamazoo Library article, click here. For the MLive article references, click here. For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: http://michaeldelaware.com For tickets...