In this episode, I interview James Popenhagen from the Del Shannon Show, a tribute organization to the music legend.  He was born Charles Weedon Westover in Grand Rapids, and grew up in Coopersville.  However, he adopted the name Del Shannon as his stage name at the beginning of his music career in Battle Creek, Michigan.  

In this interview Mr. Popenhagen, a personal friend of Del Shannon, talks candidly about his early career, the challenges of show business and his rise to stardom.  Del Shannon was also a huge star in England and Europe, having many bands that would later become famous in the U.S. open for him when he toured, including the Beatles.  It is a fascinating history, and we also discuss future plans for a Del Shannon exhibit in the local Battle Creek Regional History Museum in Battle Creek, and other tribute music events.  

For more information on the Battle Creek Regional History Museum, visit: https://bcrhm.org/

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

The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was an aorganization created by the Union Veterans of the Civil War.  The G.A.R. existed between 1866 to 1956, covering a 90 year existence.  In Michigan there were 512 posts formed, and over 10,000 GAR posts create by the organization in the nation.  There were even a few posts five posts in Canada, one in Mexico and another in Peru.  

The G.A.R. as an organization helped to set the foundation for future veterans organizations in the country, as well as lobby for benefits for wounded soldiers, widows and orphans of the Civil War.  They were also instrumental in securing pensions for the colored troops in the years following the war.  

The organization membership was restricted to members of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps and the Revenue Cutter Service (forerunner to the Coast Guard) that were honorably discharged and served between April 12, 1866 and April 9, 1865.  However, they were influencial in helping to establish many other affliated organizations that also became powerful groups, some that still exist today.

The G.A.R. became a powerful influence in their years of existence, having elected five of their own members to the Presidency of the United States.  

For more information on the G.A.R. Museum, visit: https://garmuseum.com/

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

In this episode I explore some of the early history of Niles, Michigan which was established on the site of the old Fort St. Joseph.  I also cover the history of how it became to be known as the 'City of Four Flags' as well as discuss some of the historic places one can still visit today in the city.  Additionally I cover some of the early railroad history, and its importance as a transportation line into Chicago and other cities in the region, as well as discuss the famouse Niles Train Depot.

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

To find out about some of the historic sites I mentioned in this podcast, visit: http://www.nilesmi.org/community/museums_and_historic_sites.php

Memorial Day as we know it today traces its origins to the years following the American Civil War.  The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) had a lot of influence in the creation of this day, which was first known as Decoration Day form established in 1868.  However there were ceremornies that existed in many cities across the country as early as 1866.  

In this special Memorial Day episode I cover the origins of this day of rememberance, and take a look into history of the celebration of this holiday in the 1800's around Southwest Michigan.  

For more information or to contact Michael, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I interview author Blaine Pardoe on his book Lost Eagles: One Man's Mission to Find Missing Airmen in Two World Wars, which is the story of Fred Zinn.  In this interview we talk about Fred Zinn, and his service in World War One in the French and American military, as well as his service in World War II.  He pioneer the concept of recovering lost airmen, and the system he implemented still exists today for the American Military.  

For more information on Author Blaine Pardoe, visit: https://www.blainepardoe.com

To obtain a copy of the book, Lost Eagles, check out this link: https://amzn.to/3LruBSF

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

Victor Carroll Squier, better known in his time as V.C. Squier was a violin maker, music store owner and instructor in Battle Creek.  He had learned the craft of violin making from his father, as well as other prominent violin makers in the Boston area.  He established his coming in 1890 in Battle Creek, repairing and manufacturing violins and other string instruments.  His company also manufactured strings, and became known world wide for his famous Squier Strings.  In the 1960's his company began manufacturng strings for businessman Leo Fender of Fender Instruments, who would eventually acquire the company.  Fender retired the Squire strings name, but revitalized the name in 1982 with its new line of Squier Guitars which are still produced today.

This is the story of V.C. Squier.

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

YouTube videos mentioned in this episode:

Searching for Harmonia: https://youtu.be/MbExbGvLDq4

The Story of V.C Squier: https://youtu.be/haYyaXvIEfo

In this episode I explore the history of coyote migration in North and Central America, and when they first arrived in Southwest Michigan.  The history of the coyote expansion is a fascinating one, as they are the only mammal species to expand their geographic territory over the last 100+ years, whereas all others have contracted.  The coyote has expanded its range by an unprecidented 40% since 1900, and scientists attribute this to three primary causes which are explained in this podcast episode.

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

For the study on coyote migration that I refer to in this episode, click here.

In this episode I interview three members of the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County (URSCC), Mike Moroz, the President, Cindy Yawkley Co-Chair of the Education Committee for the society and Cathy LaPointe, the treasurer.  We talk about the history of the underground railroad in Michigan, and the people in Cass County that we a part of it.  The URSCC has preserved three of the houses that were used as part of the Underground Railroad, the James E. Bonine House, the James E. Bonnie House and the Stephen Boque House.  We also discuss the infamous 1847 Kentucky Slave Raid that occurred in Cass County, and the detailed events of what happened that day as well as the outcome.

The URSCC is a non-profit organization, and they have a membership which raises funds to support preservation of these homes which now serve as a museum to educate future generations.  If you would like the take a tour or the homes, or support the work they are doing with the URSCC, be sure to visit their website at: https://www.urscc.org

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

The earliest pioneers were agriculturalists, whether they intended to be this or not.  Their first priority upon arrival in the wilderness was establishing a food source.  Even the experienced farmers found establishing farms in the new country of Southwest Michigan a challenge and sometimes a hardship.  In this episode I explore some of that experience, as well as the wheat harvest that lasted through 1880, and the other crops that followed.  I also venture into the hardiness of the pioneer woman and what her daily life was like during this period, and more.

Watch my video on the Golden Harvest: https://youtu.be/YHe9Mo-DzQo

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

In this episide I explore a history of postmasters and postal delivery in Calhoun County from mostly the 1800's to early 1900's.  I cover the original founding of the post offices in Albion, Marshall and Battle Creek, and their postmasters and early delivery systems.  Did you know the first post office Marshall was a cigar box?  The second one was even more interesting with it being a clock!  I also talk about formation of the postal service on a national level, as well as the Marshall post office museum and the pony express.

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

For information on the Marshall Post Office Museum: https://marshallmich.net/post_office_museum

To find the book I mention on the Pony Express, click here: https://amzn.to/37NxuyJ