In this episode I explore a forgotten murder story from 1889, where the body of an infant was found floating in the Kalamazoo River near Marshall, Michigan. The story of this crime spanned two counties, sparking a joint investigation beween the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department and the Kalamazoo Detective offer of the Police Department. In the end three people were charged with murder, and no one was ever convicted. A very sad and disturbing tale from the Victorian Era in Southwest Michigan.

In this episode I explore some of the early history of Cassopolis, and nearby Vandalia and the namesake of the County and village, Lewis Cass.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of the Burdick Hotel that once stood on the site of the present day Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo. The first building was built in 1850, and the hotel went through many evolutions over the many decades, but was a long standing legacy in the downtown district.

To read the Kalamazoo Library article on this story: https://www.kpl.gov/local-history/kalamazoo-history/business/burdick-hotel/

For more information or to contact Michael Delaware. visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore the history of the founding of Parchment, Michigan and the paper mill in that community. Additionally, taking advantage of the recorded oral histories at the Parchment Library, I include an interview with a man who worked 40+ years for the KVP Mill and he offers a unique insight into that history.

For more oral histories from the Parchment Library, visit:

https://www.parchmentlibrary.org/local-history/oral-histories/

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the legacy of Autry DeWalt Mixon, better known as Junior Walker, and his band the All-Stars. The group began their early career in South Bend, Indiana and also in Southwest Michigan. They first sang their legendary 'Shotgun' which went on to become a #1 R&B Hit at the El Grotto Lounge in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1965.

The material in this episode comes from the book 'Here I Stand' written by Sonya and Sean Hollins. To get a copy of this book, visit:

https://amzn.to/450AEHA

For more books by Sonya & Sean Hollins, visit Season Press Inc.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of the Grand Rapids Furniture Strike of 1911. During that time in history, the city was the leading manufacturing center for furniture in the country.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the life of Mary Colemen, the first woman elected to the Michigan Supreme Court, and the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. Her life is an amazing history.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, Leah Richard from the Vicksburg Historical Society joins me again to talk about railroads, robberies and many more interesting stories from Vicksburg.

For information on the Vicksburg Historical Society, visit:

https://vicksburghistory.org

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

At one time there existed the Kalamazoo Sled Company which was the largest manufacturer of children's sled in the world. The company began in the 1870's as a manufacturer of wooden components for buggies, and then reorganized in 1894 into manufacturing sleds. Through two World Wars, and different changes in the industry, the company existed in Kalamazoo until the 1970's.

For the full article with information on the Kalamazoo Sled Company, click here.

For information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the early distilleries of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The story of the Whitcomb brothers who brought fame to the city with whiskey. Luke Whitecomb's famous 'Luke's Best' whiskey became known from chicago to the Eastern seaboard as the best in the counrty.

For more information on this story, visit the Kalamazoo Library History story on this here.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com