Local History and Genealogy
News, comments, resources, and more.
One of the most interesting and fun aspects of working in the local history room is receiving new (old) materials for the collection. These come to us from a variety of sources and are often a complete surprise. Last week we received one of these unexpected gifts all the way from North Carolina. The donor had apparently never lived here. His father had lived in Michigan but moved away over 80 years ago – however, for some reason he saved a postcard of the Triangle Lunch on old US 131 between Kalamazoo and Plainwell. The family held onto that postcard all these years and then very thoughtfully passed it on to us. I am always amazed and grateful when people take the time to do things like that.
We are having a wonderful time trying to unlock the clues in this photo. Our donor believes that it would have been purchased in the late 1920s or early 1930s, and we know from phonebooks that a Triangle Lunchroom was operating in Cooper Township at that time. We have not yet determined where on old 131 (Douglas Avenue) the diner sat, or the owners, but we have many resources still to check. If you have any information for us regarding the photo, please let us know. Local residents are often our best resources!
One interesting note – we had hoped to get vital information from a sign in the window of the building, but no amount of magnification seemed to help. Finally, Mandana Nordbrock, with her sharp (young) eyes solved this important mystery – it read “Juicy Ham Burgers.”
Book
Historic photos
Triangle-lunch-2-160
http://www.kpl.gov/local-history/photos/gallery.aspx
On Monday evening, May 23, the Southwest Michigan Postcard Club will present part two of its series of programs at the Oshtemo Branch Library entitled “Railroads of Michigan: Small Pictures, Big Stories.”
Regional railroad history expert and author Mark Worrall will share more rare and unusual photos of railroads from Michigan’s past and discuss the intriguing and sometimes unbelievable stories behind them. “From oat powered trains to air powered railroads; oil trains on the Annie to Hunter Specials roaring across the Upper Peninsula; Grand Rapids reefers to the Duluth South Shore & Atlantic’s spending binge in 1888.” Mark is a compelling presenter and his programs always receive enthusiastic reviews. Come early, Mark’s program begins promptly at 6:30 pm.
“Lakeshore & Michigan Southern wreck that occured on the northside of Kalamazoo on June 18, 1913.” ~Mark Worrall
Photos courtesy Mark Worrall
Mark has coauthored books about Michigan’s railroad history, including Michigan Rail Disasters 1900-1940 with Benjamin Bernhart and Detroit, Toledo & Milwaukee Railroad with Charlie Conn. In 2009, Mark was a featured speaker at the Michigan Railroad History Conference.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn more about Michigan’s historic rail lines!
Book
Railroads of Michigan: Small Pictures, Big Stories
kalamazoo-mut-streetcar-160
/local-history/railroads-of-michigan-part-2/
Over the course of the last year, my position as local history intern has afforded me numerous opportunities to engage in a variety of projects, most of which have allowed me to pursue my own personal local history interests while contributing to the body of material available to the public for use in their own historical inquiries. When the weather has been appropriate, these projects have often taken me outdoors, camera in hand, and onto the streets of Kalamazoo. Last summer, I had the distinct pleasure of visiting and photographing the various historic districts of Kalamazoo County in order to compile information from the National Register of Historic Places and the State Historic Preservation Office in a series of web pages. When appropriate, I would always opt to walk to these destinations. In my pedestrian travels throughout Kalamazoo, I was frequently impressed by the quality and quantity of public memorials, monuments, sculptures, murals, and other works of art. When discussion regarding updates to the library’s online photo gallery of local public sculpture occurred last winter, I immediately became interested in contributing to this effort.
As soon as the last of the significant quantities of snow had melted, and the weather had begun to turn more hospitable, I was ready to take new photographs of the works previously included, and quickly decided to expand the collection. From nine, the gallery has grown to thirty-nine with plans to include approximately two dozen additional sculptures. The sheer number of works of public sculpture found in Kalamazoo renders even this list incomplete, and it is my hope that if you are aware of a work that has been currently overlooked, you will inform me in order to help create the most comprehensive list possible.
These sculptures are, and have been, sources of civic pride for the residents of Kalamazoo, and we are lucky to conduct our lives amidst an atmosphere that encourages and appreciates the creation of works of artistic expression. While I am continuing to expand the gallery devoted to public sculpture in Kalamazoo, I am also currently engaged in creating a similar gallery focusing on public murals. It is my hope to have a version available by the end of spring.
Book
Kalamazoo Ruby Light Chandelier
Sculpture-160
http://www.kpl.gov/local-history/photos/arts-entertainment-photos/public-sculpture.aspx
On Monday evening, March 28, the Southwest Michigan Postcard Club will present the first in a two part series of programs at the Oshtemo Branch Library entitled “Railroads of Michigan: Small Pictures, Big Stories.”
Regional railroad history expert and author Mark Worrall will share rare and unusual photos of railroads from Michigan’s past and discuss the intriguing and sometimes unbelievable stories behind them. “From oat powered trains to air powered railroads; oil trains on the Annie to Hunter Specials roaring across the Upper Peninsula; Grand Rapids reefers to the Duluth South Shore & Atlantic’s spending binge in 1888.” Mark is a compelling presenter and his programs always receive enthusiastic reviews. Monday’s program begins at 6:30 pm.
“A Duluth South Shore & Atlantic crew looks on impatiently while the photographer records the Lake Gogebic station stop for Train No. 5 while a couple of fisherman proudly show off their catch.” ~Mark Worrall
Photos courtesy Mark Worrall
Mark has coauthored books about Michigan’s railroad history, including Michigan Rail Disasters 1900-1940 with Benjamin Bernhart and Detroit, Toledo & Milwaukee Railroad with Charlie Conn. In 2009, Mark was a featured speaker at the Michigan Railroad History Conference.
Mark will present the second part of his program at the Oshtemo Branch Library on May 23rd.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn more about Michigan’s historic rail lines!
Book
Railroads of Michigan: Small Pictures, Big Stories
harbor-beach-resort-train-160
/local-history/railroads-of-michigan-part-1/
Perhaps the last time you attended a sporting event or concert, you awoke the next day to find you had come down with Clergyman’s Throat (“An impairment of the voice due to excessive or improper use of the voice. Can also be caused by excessive use of tobacco or liquor.” p.29). Then again, there are those who suffer, during the long dry, winter months, from Furfur (Furfaire) (“Any scaling of the skin, such as dandruff” p.53). Or, maybe you were frustrated during your lunch break when trying to quickly place your order to find the individual behind the counter to be quite Starblind (“A condition in which an individual stares with eyes half closed, appears to be slow to understand, and blinks frequently” p.135). There is a wealth of obscure medical ailments and their cures held within this rather slight, economical (just 178 pages including reference citations) and yet fascinating and informative publication, A Medical Miscellany for Genealogists. Dr. Jerger has written, or perhaps it is better to say compiled, her book expressly for the use of understanding antiquated medical terms. It functions like a dictionary. It was created by one who was herself frustrated, despite more than thirty years of experience in the medical field, by inscrutable language when investigating her ancestor’s life histories and the ailments from which they suffered and perhaps succumbed to. Dr. Jerger has also supplemented this list with terms from Native American, European, Asian and African folk beliefs and healing traditions.
Whether your understanding is impeded by neglected medical nomenclature while in the midst of genealogy research, studying old medical records, while attempting to enjoy literature of the time or even if you just have an interest in obscure words and phrases, this book is an excellent resource for being specific to the medical field and terminology that has fallen out of favor, various pseudonyms for the same practice or perhaps practices or medicines that are no longer in use (“Inhalation of Gas- A form of pneumotherapy. Inhalations of carbonic acid and sulfurous acid were used to treat tuberculosis of the lungs, asthma and emphysema.” p. 71). From the completely unheard of (“Spruce Beer- A remedy made by boiling the tops of spruce boughs in beer. Used to treat scurvy in the 18th century.” P.134) to the familiar disguised in strange nomenclature (“Polish Disease- Also syphilis.” P.111, “Scourge of Nations- Also Cholera” p 125 or “St. Hubert’s Disease- Also Rabies” p.122) you can use this book as a research tool or as a source for a few moments interesting and educational diversion.
Book
A Medical Miscellany for Genealogists
0788403753
When it comes to historic buildings, few generate the level of interest that one-room schoolhouses do. It’s hard to pass one by without taking a second look and wondering what life was like for students who were educated there. It’s also fascinating to see how they have been remodeled and repurposed into homes, shops, and other useful structures. On February 24, the Library will host a program for all of us who love these old buildings - Michigan’s Historic One Room Schoolhouses. Presenter Dianna Stampfler will take us on a photographic tour of schoolhouses throughout Michigan and reveal their history and how many are being used today. Dianna always presents a lively, informative program; and as a resident of southwest Michigan her presentation will include many familiar landmarks. Join us at 7:00 pm on the 24th for a great program, and don’t forget that you can always find useful information about Kalamazoo County rural schools under Education in the All About Kalamazoo History section of our website.
Book
Michigan’s Historic Schoolhouses
rural-school-160
http://www.kpl.gov/local-history/one-room-schools/
While sorting through some of our internal networks in search of files for a recent project, I ran across a terrific find. Last May, local shipwreck hunter and author Valerie van Heest gave an excellent program at Central Library called “Lost and Found: Shipwrecks of West Michigan.” During her 55 minute presentation, van Heest talked about the many vessels that have been lost in the waters off Michigan’s west coast, and provided an overview of the work her team has done over the past fifteen years to locate and document these wrecks. Valerie showed compelling images (both still and video) of what they’ve found, and provided fascinating insight into the discovery process itself.
KPL staff videotaped the program in May, but for whatever reason, the files were stored away and seemingly forgotten. With this new “discovery,” the program is now available in its entirety on KPL’s YouTube Channel, and linked along with the other Local History Video Presentations on the KPL website.
It was truly exciting to view Valerie’s program; itself once “lost and (now) found!”
Book
Lost and Found: Shipwrecks of West Michigan
shipwrecks-of-west-michigan-160
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D6AAE96ECC82E177
One thing nearly always leads to another, when you’re doing library research. Last week a patron asked us to find the text of an old poem about the Kalamazoo River; while hunting it down, Local History librarian David DeVries discovered this gem in the history room Poetry file. Undated, the accompanying note said that it had been reprinted by request in the Kalamazoo Telegraph, though “doubtless many in Kalamazoo have read it.”
The V-A-S-E
From the madding crowd they stand apart,
The maidens four and the Work of Art;
And none might tell from sight alone
In which had Culture ripest grown--
The Gotham Million fair to see,
The Philadelphia Pedigree,
The Boston Mind of Azure hue,
Or the soulful Soul from Kalamazoo--
For all loved art in a seemly way,
With an earnest soul and a capital A.
Long they worshipped; but no one broke
The sacred stillness, until up spoke
The Western one from the nameless place,
Who, blushing, said: "What a lovely vase!"
Over three faces a sad smile flew,
And they edged away from Kalamazoo.
But Gotham's haughty soul was stirred
To crush the stranger with one small word.
Deftly hiding reproof in praise,
She cries: "'Tis, indeed, a lovely vaze!"
But brief her unlovely triumph when
The lofty one from the house of Penn,
With the consciousness of two grandpapas,
Exclaims: "It is quite a lovely vahs!"
And glances around with an anxious thrill,
Awaiting the word of Beacon Hill.
But the Boston maid smiles courteouslee
And gently murmurs: "Oh pardon me!
I did not catch your remark, because
I was so entranced with that lovely vaws!"
James Jeffry Roche
1847-1908
Book
History Room Poetry File
greek-vase-2-160
http://www.catalog.kpl.gov/uhtbin/cgisirsi/x/0/0/5?searchdata1=history+room+poetry+file+NOT+prose&library=LOCAL-COMM&language=ANY&format=ANY&item_type=ANY&location=ANY&match_on=KEYWORD&item_1cat=ANY&item_2cat=ANY&sort_by=-PBYR
As a bicycle commuter, who used to cross several lanes of Kalamazoo Avenue traffic in fear every time I rode to work, I’ve dreamed of visiting Davis, CA. Davis is one of three communities given top honors by the League of American Bicyclists, as a Bicycle Friendly Community. It also is featured, among other cities, in Jeff Mapes’ Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists are Changing American Cities. Mapes traces the grassroots movement of cycling activists to create room and safety for cyclists in many communities. It’s an inspiring topic.
Locally, Kalamazoo is making progress for non-motorized travelers. The development of sections of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail provides Kalamazoo area cyclists and hikers with additional paved trails free of motor vehicle traffic. Now you can hook up to the Kal-Haven Trail from an access point downtown. By later this fall, you should be able to ride the trail from the Kalamazoo riverfront out to the Kalamazoo Nature Center, and ultimately, plans call for the trail to extend as far as Battle Creek.
The 2010 Kalamazoo Master Plan--drawn up to project city land use plans for the next 20 years--states that “expanding non-motorized connections is a high priority for residents and city leaders.” The plan includes a map on p. 49 (well, p. 55 in the Adobe read-only format) which details the current and planned non-motorized connections for the city. If you prefer to read the plan in print, our Local History room holds a copy of the final version.
Book
Pedaling revolution : how cyclists are changing American cities
9780870714191
While I attest to having a fascination with the art and park-like beauty of many cemeteries, working in the local history room has given me an even greater appreciation for them as a tool in genealogical and local history research. Many times, a tombstone provides just the clue needed to fill in a blank or push the research in a different direction. But with around 70 cemeteries and burial grounds in Kalamazoo County, tracking down a gravesite can sometimes be a challenge.
Over the years, individuals and groups like the DAR and the Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society have published books of cemetery records and tombstone inscriptions for various cemeteries and we have those in the local history collection. In more recent years there have also been some very ambitious projects launched on the Internet that provide burial/tombstone information - and many times even photos of individual stones. The problem is that no one set of books or single website has everything for all the cemeteries in the area.
In response to this issue, the Library has launched Cemeteries of Kalamazoo. This collection of web pages locates all the known cemeteries and burial grounds in Kalamazoo County and identifies all the sources – both print and online – for burial and tombstone data for each individual cemetery. You can search for the information by township or with the Cemeteries A-Z index.
As with many of our projects, this is a work in progress and we intend to update and expand as more information comes our way. So be sure to let us know if we’ve missed anything or you know of a new source and we’ll promise to keep this a tool that will be useful for years to come.
Book
Cemeteries of Kalamazoo
cemetery-stone-160
http://www.kpl.gov/local-history/kalamazoo-county-cemeteries/