In this episode I explore the founding of the village of Bellevue, as well as the important impact of the limestone industry and its impact on Michigan from this community. I explore specifically the history of the Dyer Kiln and recent developments on its restoration.

For more information on how to support the Dyer Mill restoration project, visit: https://www.csamuseum.net

To find out about the upcoming events planned by the Eaton County Historical Commission, visit: https://eatoncountyhistory.org

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Become a subscriber!

In this episode I explore the golden age of cigar manufacturing in Southwest Michigan which was between the 1870's to early 1920's. There were cigar manufacturing operations in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Grand Rapids which I explore in this look back into the past.

For some of the source material, click here.

For history of the Kalamazoo industry, click here.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Become a Subscriber!

In 1843 a socialistic society was formed that held their first meeting in Jackson, Michigan in December. Following the philosophy and writings of Charles Fourier they drafted their own constitution for communal living, and sought to establish a commune in Southwest Michigan. They settled on a site in Comstock Michigan, just west of Galesburg. They built a mill, a mill race and a mansion for everyone to live in, and called the organization the Alphadelphian Association or 'First Brotherhood Society'. It lastest only four years before the experiment collapsed. In this espisode, I explore this history.

To read the article by the Kalamazoo Library on the Alphadelphian Association, click here.

To read the article from the history of Galesburg by Robert Adams, click here.

For information used from Western Michigan University, click here.

For information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Become a Subscriber!

On a bitter cold morning in January 1963, Daisy Zick was brually murdered in her home in Battle Creek, Michigan. In this episode, I interview Author Blaine Pardoe who wrote the book: 'Murder in Battle Creek: The Mysterious Death of Daisy Zick' which covers in detail the crime, and the investigation.

Today, the murder remains unsolved.

To get a copy of the book, visit: https://amzn.to/3HktcgG

To contact Blaine Pardoe, visit: BlainePardoe.com

To contact Michael Delaware, visit: MichaelDelaware.com

Become a Subscriber!

In this episode I explore the early pioneer history of the founding of Hastings, Michigan. I use as a reference 'History of Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan with illustrations and biographical sketches of their prominent men and pioneers' which was published in 1880 by D.W. Ensign & Co.

I explore the early pioneer founders of the village, including the first tavern keepers, mills, doctors, attorneys, post office, stage coaches and so on.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the life of Betty Hutton, who was born Elizabeth June Thornburg in 1921 in Battle Creek, Michigan. She went on to find success as a singer, and an actress of stage and screen. She performed in over 20 films during the golden age of musicals in Hollywood. Some of her most popular films were 'Annie Get Your Gun' 1950, 'The Greatest Show on Earth' 1952 and 'The Miracle of Morgan's Creek' 1944.

She grew up in poverty, with her father leaving her mother and sister when she was a young girl. She performed on stage for the first time at age 4 or 5, and then became a singer, and went onto a success career on stage and in films.

Her portrait is featured at the History Education Center at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum.

For a film bibliography of Betty Hutton, click here.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, Laurie Perkins, the site historian for the Walker Tavern Historic Site which is part of Cambridge Junction Historic State Park. The Walker Tavern was built in 1832, and there is a lot of fascinating history of the people who owned it, as well as the community of Cambridge Junction.

For more information on the Walker Tavern Historic Site, visit: https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/museums/cj

To follow the Walker Tavern on Facebook, visit: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofWalkerTavern/

To find out more about Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore some of the history of Jonesville, Michigan located in Hillsdale County. It is located approximately 20 miles north of the intersection of the state lines of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. The village was founded in the early 1830's and was recently chartered as a city in 2014. Jonesville has been the home some facinating industry and people.

For the 150 year anniversary guide to Jonesville, click here.

To contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore the life of Elijah Pendill the first Mayor of Battle Creek elected in 1859. He served three terms, and was know for his strong enforcement of the 1855 Statewide Prohibition laws in Michigan. His wife Mary Pendill was also an activist in the Temperence movement in Battle Creek.

To see the poster created by Nathaniel Currier in 1846 entitled The Drunkard's Progress, click here.

To see the video on Elijah Pendill from my Oak Hill Cemetery video series, click here.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I interview Bobbie Mathis from the Union City Society for Historic Preservation and Andrew Noland from Silent Cities Restoration. Both have spent many thousands of hours touring old cemeteries, and working on headstone and monument restoration projects.

In this interview we discuss unusual headstones and monuments we have encountered. Ones that made us smile, ones that impressed us and even ones that surprised us. We also discuss some of the projects these two have completed in historic cemeteries, and talk about some amazing summer workshops to that are coming up to teach people about cemetery restoration.

For information on the June 17th Workshop, at Riverside Cemetery in Union City, visit:

To follow the upcoming events mentioned by Bobbie Mathis with the Union City Society for Historic Preservation: https://www.facebook.com/ucshp

To contact Andrew Noland about headstone repair, visit his Silent Cities Restoration website: https://silentcitiesrestoration.com

To contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com