Glance at the Past

Roads and Streets

The early roads into the village of Grand Rapids were along Indian trails, and the influence of...

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Mill Creek Bass Hatchery

The only institution of its kind in the world, the Michigan Fish Commission's hatchery was...

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The Irish

The Irish seemed to have followed the direction of the westward movement on the Erie Canal and...

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Blacksmiths and Carpenters

The first trade established in the village of Grand Rapids was that of blacksmith, and the...

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The Nelson Elms

Two fine elm trees stood on Bostwick St. At least three feet in diameter, and sixty feet high,...

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Historic City Elections

More than one town has claimed itself the GOP's birthplace. One of those towns was Grand Rapids,...

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Homemade Auto

Several enterprising youngsters, bent on the possession of an automobile, but not having the...

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Cosmetics Business

For 19th century women, making a living was fraught with hurdles. Nora Husted found way to...

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Jess Elster is Dead

Jess Elster was a symbol os semi-pro baseball. He came to Grand Rapids in 1904 and played his...

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Viva Flaherty

Viva Flaherty attended Central High School, Vassar College, and the University of Michigan before...

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Wurzburg's Toyland

Wurzburg's Department store ran large ads in the Grand Rapids Herald and Press announcing the...

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White Flame Light

A simple attempt to adjust his mother's oil lamp led to a small shoestring business which grew...

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Saving the Fair

A Grand Rapids businessman, Melvin Church, while visiting Chicago, suggested an innovative...

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The Land of Make Believe

The children's map, Land of Make Believe, created by Jaro Hess in the 1930s, captured the...

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Artist, Alexander Flyn

Alexander Flyn, an accomplished Grand Rapids portrait artist, came to this city in 1918 and...

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One Man, Two Milestones

William J. Hardy became active in the politics of Gaines Township after African American men were...

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Fifty Years Ago

The "Knockout Polio" drive began in September of 1963. Approximately 320,000 people in Kent...

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Rose's Beach

Jim Rose began offering swimming instruction at Reed's Lake in 1901. By the time Rose's Beach was...

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City Charter and Seal

The original seal of the city was adopted on June 25, 1850, but seven years later the Common...

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Aquinas College

Aquinas College has had several names and been in several locations, but it has occupied its...

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