Name: Plymouth in Vintage Postcards
Brand: Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens
SKU: 9780738523354
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Plymouth in Vintage Postcards

9780738523354

$24.99

As introduced in the book Plymouth's First Century: Innovators and Industry, more than 175 years of hard work, modernization, patriotism, and development have contributed to the vivid tapestry of the Plymouth community. This volume, comprised of vintage photo postcards, documents the businesses, people, activities, structures, and streets that have shaped Plymouth's rich history. From the legendary Daisy Manufacturing Company to present-day traditions like the Plymouth International Ice Spectacular, these remarkable images of Plymouth's historic people and places will continue to enlighten readers for generations to come.

Bay City

9780738533315

$24.99

In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville described the Saginaw Valley as the "far west" of our growing nation, predicting that its impenetrable forests would soon be felled, and its river would be lined with quays and filled with vessels. Influential settlers soon began to confirm those predictions, including the Trombleys, who arrived in 1831 and built the Trombley House in 1837. Albert Miller platted Portsmouth in 1836--and Lower Saginaw, now known as Bay City, was platted the same year. Throughout the 20th century, majestic buildings were erected, schools, homes, and churches were established, and Bay City developed into a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.

Harbor Country

9780738523033

$24.99

Through nearly 200 vintage photographs, this book documents the history of Harbor Country and its many roles throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

The eight villages of Southwest Michigan's Harbor Country-Michiana, Grand Beach, New Buffalo, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, Sawyer, and Three Oaks-have evolved from a group of humble frontier communities into a vacation mecca. Just 90 minutes from Chicago, Harbor Country's unspoiled beaches, marinas, antique shops, and shady country lanes have offered a weekend refuge to weary urbanites for years. The New York Times once called Harbor Country ""the Hamptons of the Midwest,"" perhaps because the area draws Chicago's illuminati to its shores. Yet most of the region's first settlers were lumbermen, farmers, fishermen, and railroad workers, and Harbor Country's rustic, small-town ambience remains as their legacy.Once an aspiring Great Lakes port, then briefly a railroad center, as well as a lumbering community that supplied the timber to build Chicago, Harbor Country is revealed as an area with rich history and everlasting appeal.

Michigan Humane Society

9780738520285

$24.99

Throughout its 125 years of service, the Michigan Humane Society has played an integral role in the development of Detroit and its commitment to social service. Early policy makers, officers, and board members of the Michigan Humane Society included prominent Detroiters such as Henry Ford, Mr. and Mrs. Abner Larned, Frank Cody, Mrs. Henry Ledyard, Mr. and Mrs. John Dodge, and Thomas W. Palmer, who later went on to become a U.S. Senator. These dedicated individuals possessed a vision that set the course for today's Michigan Humane Society. Early Society efforts focused on improving the working conditions and treatment of the city's work horses, protecting women and children from abuse and neglect, and teaching humane values. Today's Michigan Humane Society provides for the rescue, shelter, veterinary care, and placement of domestic animals, as well as the rescue, rehabilitation, and relocation of wild and exotic animals.

Sterling Township

9780738539751

$24.99

Sterling Township, located about 18 miles northeast of Detroit, was first settled after the Erie Canal was opened. The rich soil, relatively flat land, and the vital Clinton River attracted pioneer and immigrant families who arrived to establish farmsteads. The first influx of immigrants came mainly from the British Isles, and by the 1870s, German
families had flocked to the area, raising dairy cattle and
establishing farms. Belgians, arriving in the early 1900s,
developed truck farming--growing fruits and vegetables
to sell every week at the farmers' market in Detroit. Farm
culture prevailed until the 1950s, when large industrial
plants began moving in, bringing with them workers and
a need for housing and city services. Sterling Township
became the city of Sterling Heights in 1968, and this
collection of photographs will showcase the families and
the way of life in the early days of this community, a
historic community that is now the fourth largest city in Michigan.

Plymouth's First Century

9780738519876

$24.99

The year 2002 marks the 175th anniversary of the founding of Plymouth Township in Michigan Territory. The first settlers were true pioneers, carving a living out of the wilderness and working together to establish a community. Farms and farmers were the backbone of the community until after the Civil War when two railroads intersected in the Village of Plymouth. The railroads brought many opportunities to the area, and helped spread the products invented by an innovative population.

Plymouth, Michigan's First Century: Innovators and Industry contains more than 200 images from the Plymouth Historical Museum and from the collections of some of Plymouth's current residents. You'll see the township blossom from farms and mills to a cohesive community of inventors and patriots. Early images of the main business block of Plymouth Village are reminiscent of the Wild West; later images depict a vibrant community, as it remains today.

Midland

9780738520407

$24.99

Once a small settlement at the junction of the Tittabawassee and Chippewa Rivers, Midland began as a humble community and grew to become a testament to industrialization. Settlers populated the city and ambitiously founded a tiny lumbering village, which soon developed into a regional hub of the lumbering industry. Nearly a century after it was settled, Midland County experienced an oil boom, and consequently became the state's leader in oil production, bringing prosperity and further industrialization to the area.

In their previous book, Midland: The Way We Were, Virginia Florey and Leona Seamster documented the significant people and places that have shaped Midland's rich history. In their second installment, Midland: Her Continuing Story, they have included the history of neighboring towns-Averill, Sanford, Coleman, Hope, and Edenville-that played a significant role in the lumbering era. Through nearly 200 historical photographs and a collection of unprecedented personal stories, Florey and Seamster again explore this fascinating region and focus on its proud heritage as an industrial leader.

Cadillac Vintage Postcard Memories

9780738520032

$24.99

Embark upon a journey back in time to both memorable and forgotten scenes of Cadillac from the early 1900s to the 1950s. Enjoy a casual stroll down Mitchell Street, pause in front of elegant homes, and meander along the peaceful shores of Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell. This collection of over 220 postcards and images illustrates Cadillac's past as a once-booming lumber town and commercial center against the backdrop of the surrounding lakes and pine forests.

The Grand Haven Area: 1860-1960

9780738519944

$24.99

Grand Haven is nestled in wooded dunes and surrounded by the waters of Lake Michigan, Spring Lake, and the Grand River. Under the leadership of Rev. William Montague Ferry, the first settlers arrived from Mackinac Island November 2, 1834. In recognition of the port's large, accommodating and safe harbor, Rix Robinson, fur trader and land holder, platted and named the town April 15, 1835. The approximately 200 photographs in this book are from the archives of the Tri-Cities Historical Museum. They provide an invaluable visual glimpse of the places, people, and events that shaped the Grand Haven area, which also includes Ferrysburg and Spring Lake, in the critical century between 1860 and 1960. In Grand Haven's early years the lumber industry took advantage of the towering white pines that grew for miles around, providing lumber for Chicago, Milwaukee, and other port cities. During this period the mineral water spas in Spring Lake, Fruitport, and Grand Haven spawned the area tourist industry that is still alive today. By 1890 the large tracts of forest were gone and the area sawmills closed. The slack was taken up by the Grand Trunk carferries, which began cross-lake service in 1903, making Grand Haven one of the busiest ports on Lake Michigan for the next 30 years.

Downtown Ann Arbor

9781467112833

$24.99 $12.50 Save 50%

In 1824, John Allen and Elisha Rumsey established the first homestead in what is now downtown Ann Arbor. The story goes that the community got its name when the two founders' wives, both named Ann, were seen lounging in a grove of trees. In reality, Ann Allen and Mary Ann Rumsey were never in town at the same time, but how it actually was named is unimportant when considering what Ann Arbor grew into. Early settlers gave the town schools, an expansive courthouse, a beautiful post office, and streetcar lines that spanned downtown. They built this town, and their legacy is present in every walk up Huron Street, drive down to William and Main Streets, or bike ride over to Kerrytown.

Warren

9780738560991

$24.99

Known as Beebe's Corners in the early 1800s, the city of Warren has grown to
become the third-largest city in Michigan, surrounding Center Line--the city
within the city. Warren's history has something for everyone. A pioneer burial ground
was discovered on school property in the 1970s, and an old Norway spruce still points
the way for a vanished tribe. In the 1920s, the Warren cooperative supplied goods
to a growing community, and the first African American cemetery in the state was
established as well. Warren's General Motors Tech Center was dubbed "the Versailles of
Industry" in the mid-20th century; in addition to a worldwide radio broadcast, a crowd
of 5,000 attended the dedication ceremony, including Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower. The
Chrysler tank arsenal helped to end World War II. World-renowned architects Eero
Saarinen and Albert Kahn designed commercial and residential structures in Warren
and Center Line. Places of worship represent all faiths, and a top-notch school system
serves Warren--testaments to the culture of this community.

St. Joseph County's Historic River Country

9780738533834

$24.99

River Country is the name given to St. Joseph County, Michigan, an area of historic small towns including Three Rivers, Mendon, Centreville, Constantine, Sturgis, and Nottawa. Home to one of the largest Amish populations in the state, it is a place of meandering roads often frequented by horse-driven black buggies. The county's towns, many of which are on the Michigan and National Registers of Historic Places, feature architecture that harkens back to the 1800s with styles ranging from Italianate and Greek Revival to Queen Anne and Colonial. This book chronicles River Country's historic development, with insight into the businesses, personalities, activities, and architecture that have contributed to its remarkable charm and character.

St. Joseph County's Historic River Country

Mount Clemens, Bath City U.S.A. in Vintage Postcards

9780738508290

$24.99

The "Bath Era" of Mount Clemens is but a memory; however, that rich history still lives through the images on vintage postcards. The fabulous Park, Medea, Arethusa, Colonial, Clementine, Olympia, Eureka, and St. Joseph are among the bath houses featured here with the hotels that catered to the needs of their bathers. Travel back to the days when sipping water at the Springs, enjoying the thrills of Leap the Dips, and cruising the local waterways were normal pastimes.

Mount Clemens, Bath City U.S.A. in Vintage Postcards

Eastpointe

9780738531755

$24.99

Known today as "A Family Town," the city of Eastpointe, Michigan possesses a vibrant history and a unique heritage. This book showcases over 220 historic images, including rare plat maps, to document Eastpointe's growth and development throughout the past two centuries. Eastpointe, Michigan serves as a visual tour of the area's rural roots and urban progress, from the 1830s, when immigrants began to settle in the region, through the present day, when it thrives as a multi-ethnic suburb of Detroit. In these pages, discover Eastpointe's founding families, its notable historic homes and businesses, and its evolution from an agricultural hamlet into a celebrated suburban community.

The City of Wayne

9780738531779

$24.99

When settler George M. Johnson arrived in the area now known as Wayne, Michigan, in 1824, he may have only imagined that the site of his log cabin would later become home to a bustling, thriving, progressive city. Incorporated as the Village of Wayne in 1869 and the City of Wayne in 1960, its growth was heavily influenced by the development of railroads and the Chicago Turnpike, and it has evolved into a prosperous and multi-ethnic community. Through a collection of rare photographs drawn from the Wayne Historical Museum, author Valerie Latzman takes readers on a visual tour of Wayne's history, exploring the community's agricultural, industrial, commercial, and social origins. Discover the influential places, people, and events that have contributed to Wayne's unique heritage.

Lake County

9780738560175

$24.99

Native Americans roamed the beautiful lands of northern Michigan for many years, leaving a legacy of mature forests, clear waters, and plentiful game. By 1871, waves of immigrants were arriving from Europe, as well as Union soldiers after the Civil War. These pioneers brought with them the tools, know-how, and determination to transform the wild land into an economy based on the timber, railroads, and farming. Schools, churches, businesses, and tourism blossomed. The county's 156 lakes and 46 trout streams offered pristine settings for swimming, boating, hunting, and fishing. Resorts, sporting clubs, and cottage colonies sprang up to meet the needs of seasonal visitors. Early fishing guide and hotelier Andrew J. Bradford, financiers Curtis W. MacPhail and Robert J. Smith, philanthropist Martin Johnson, and others nurtured the growth of the communities. The Civilian Conservation Corps replanted the forests and built roads, the African American resort of Idlewild showcased black entertainers, and Raymond W. Overholzer built Shrine of the Pines, all promoting the county's development.

Grand Rapids

9780738540542

$24.99

In the years between 1890 and 1950, the city of Grand Rapids grew from a small Midwestern town of great potential into a large and important commercial and manufacturing center. With the growth of the city and its population came a large variety of activities, commercial and recreational, which were happily recorded in a huge array of postcards produced by both local and national printers. These cards and the moments they preserve provide a unique glimpse into the life and growth of Grand Rapids.

Bedford Township

9780738534213

$24.99

Located in southeast Michigan, Bedford Township is Toledo, Ohio's largest suburb. It has been widely recognized as the garden spot of Monroe County and is a great place to raise children. Emerging out of Erie Township in 1836, Bedford Township grew from a group of 60 pioneering families, many of whom still have descendants in the area. Bedford encompasses the three unincorporated villages of Lambertville, Samaria, and Temperance. All have developed a strong sense of local pride, manifested in various annual events including homecomings, trade fairs, and school and family reunions. Bedfordians who have achieved wide recognition include ballplayer LeRoy "Bud" Parmelee, "Brighten the Corner" hymnist Ina Duley Ogdon, bus safety-mirror inventor Reid Stout, artist Howard J. Schuler, World War II hero Ensign Harry Lee Corl, and Sens. Norm Shinkle and Bev Hammerstrom. We invite you to browse these pages, noting family names--if your friends or relatives are mentioned, enjoy renewed acquaintances. Next time you are back home check out our Local History Room in the grand new Bedford Branch of the Monroe County Library, where you may find your ancestors on the shelves.

Ironwood, Hurley, and the Gogebic Range

9780738540665

$24.99

Situated on the south shore of Lake Superior, the Gogebic Iron Range of Michigan and Wisconsin exudes a strong sense of place. During the 1880s, a mining boom lured settlers, investment, and controversy. Investors from Milwaukee, Chicago, and Cleveland hoped to become rich, but many were pulled into scams or poorly managed mines and ended up losing their money. After iron stocks crashed, mining investors were more cautious. Many mining locations were abandoned, but towns such as Ironwood, Bessemer, Wakefield, and Hurley grew. For over 80 years, iron mining gave the Gogebic Range distinctive ethnicity and settlement patterns resulting in its unique cultural landscapes. The physical setting enhances the drama of the Gogebic. Lake-effect snowfall results in picturesque yet harsh winters, and thundering waterfalls have long attracted visitors.

Livonia Preserved

9780738541136

$24.99

Livonia Preserved: Greenmead and Beyond tells the story of Greenmead and the Livonia Historical Village and other historic resources through photographs and other ephemera. The story begins with Livonia's earliest attempts to preserve its history at Quaker Acres, how it came into being, and the buildings that were moved to the site. These early efforts were expanded to a 100-acre farm complex-called Greenmead-acquired by the city in 1976. In addition to stories surrounding the Greenmead Historical Park, Livonia Preserved features other interesting structures and sites, such as Henry Ford's Newburg Mill, the Wilson Barn, the Felician Motherhouse, historic cemeteries, and private homes. Each of these represents a unique piece of Livonia history.

Salem Township

9780738577272

$24.99

Before white settlers came to the area that is now Salem Township, Potawatomi Indians hunted and fished in a forest filled with abundant wildlife. The settlers cleared the trees to work the land and built a lumber mill along Little Rabbit River. Salem was primarily a farming community carved out by hardworking pioneers. Four towns were established to serve this farming community: Diamond Springs to the south, New Salem to the north, and Burnips Corners and Salem Center (now known as Burnips) in the center. In 1855, Salem Township separated from Monterey Township; then, in the 1930s, the discovery of oil brought financial relief to Salem farm families who struggled to maintain their farms. A new wave of residents came to settle in the Salem area as men seeking work in the oil fields brought their families to the community.

Victory Township

9780738551425

$24.99

Founded two years after the end of the Civil War, the township's name heralded the Union victory. Blanketed with a variety of hardwoods and some white pine stands of timber, Victory Township was an untamed wilderness when the first settlers arrived. The first pioneers homesteaded in the southwest corner of the township near the Lincoln River. Soon the community of Victory Corners began to emerge and with its growth, aspiration to become the seat of government for Mason County. Until the railroad came to Ludington, this settlement was a legitimate contender. Immigrants, particularly Scandinavians, constituted a larger and next wave of settlers. These new residents tended to cluster, given their common culture and relationships. The Danish settlement became one of the most recognized places in the township. Farming became a way of life while ethnicity gave way to Americanization and Victory Township developed a strong sense of community. This illustrated history extends through the end of World War II when the boys came home and the forces of industrial growth reshaped the rural landscape. Each community had its unique character, yet this township is reflective of the experiences of many rural people in the Midwest.

Legendary Locals of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor

9781467125161

$24.99

A cast of characters tumbles out of the pages of this book, beginning with the courageous settlers who tamed the wilderness. By the 1890s, dynamic denizens of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor harvested fruit, established factories, and opened tourist attractions. Drake and Wallace's Silver Beach Amusement Park, with its roller coaster, fun house, and Lake Michigan beach, attracted visitors from Chicago. So did the curative mineral waters. Al Capone took "the baths," despite their stinking like rotten eggs. The Israelite House of David, a Christian sect founded by Benjamin and Mary Purnell, welcomed summer visitors to their amusement park. Despite an infamous scandal and trial involving Benjamin, the House of David thrived for decades. The cities spawned inventors like Augustus Herring, who flew an airplane five years before the Wright brothers; Emory Upton, who developed an electric-powered washing machine manufactured by a company now known as Whirlpool; and Walter Miller, inventor of a record-changing machine manufactured by V-M. By the 1980s, manufacturing in the area had declined, and the cities suffered. Present-day entrepreneurs, artists, and community activists have jump-started their return to vitality.

Legendary Locals of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor

Lost Coldwater

9781467112727

$24.99

In 1831, Rev. Allen Tibbits and Joseph Hanchett arrived in the area that would become Coldwater. Together, they platted out a village and named it Lyons after their hometown in New York. Potawatomi Indians called the area "chuck-sey-ya-bish," which translated to "cold water," and within two years the settlers followed the Indians' example in naming the village. Many pioneers traveled on the Historic Sauk Trail (now US Route 12), which connects Detroit to Chicago, putting Coldwater on the map. The introduction of the Erie Canal in 1825--and railroad transit in 1850--revolutionized travel and spawned rapid growth. By 1861, Coldwater was recognized as a city. As a result of this growth, cottages at Coldwater Lake started showing up in the late 1870s as "summer getaways," enticing tourists to the area. In addition, cultural outlets like the Tibbits Opera House, built in 1882 and boasting Second Empire architecture, graced the downtown area.

Saginaw in Vintage Postcards

9780738532936

$24.99

Because of its excellent river system, Saginaw developed from an Indian village into a bustling lumber town. In its early days, investors came from eastern cities and became wealthy lumber barons. They built beautiful mansions, hotels, and public buildings while they also supported civic projects. Before consolidating, there were two cities: East Saginaw and Saginaw City, separated by the Saginaw River. Many German societies, schools, and churches were organized in the area, due to the large number of residents with a German heritage. The early residents survived fires, floods, and the end of the lumber boom. Other industries developed and the city continued to grow. The rare postcards that appear in this book depict many historical buildings, the two separate cities, the German influence, and the philanthropy of the lumber barons. Join author Roberta Morey on a journey through Saginaw's rich industrial and cultural history.

Branch County

9780738539645

$24.99

Branch County, home to the historic communities of Bronson, Union City, Quincy, Coldwater, and Sherwood, was named for John Branch, President Jackson's Secretary of the Navy. The original county seat was Masonville, in 1830, followed by the Village of Branch in 1831, and finally, Coldwater, in 1842. By 1836 there were 30 inns between Sturgis and Quincy along the Sauk Trail. Railroads first traveled through Branch County in 1850, and the presence of trains facilitated further growth and settlement. Individuals in Branch County accumulated wealth by selling horses, participating in the burgeoning cigar industry, and producing agricultural goods. The county is divided into 16 townships, and this book details the history of each city, village, and small settlement. Author Randall Hazelbaker shares images and memorabilia from his vast personal collection to document and celebrate the development of Branch County.

Westland

9780738532684

$24.99

In May of 1825, Reverend Marcus Swift traveled along the middle branch of the Rouge River until he found a place he thought was close to heaven. Soon streets, homes, and businesses were established as more pioneers arrived in Nankin Township. In 1963, the J.L. Hudson Company chose Nankin Township as the site of a new shopping mall called Westland. When the mall became a target for annexation, residents joined forces to create their own city. Thus, the city of Westland was born. Through rare photographs drawn from various sources, this book takes readers on a journey through nearly 200 years of local history, from the death of Chief Tonquish to the present day.

Ecorse

9781467112093

$24.99

French explorers called the Ecorse River the "river of bark," or Ecorces, because the Huron Indians who lived in the villages surrounding it wrapped their dead in the bark of the birch trees that grew along its banks. White pioneers settled on French ribbon farms along the Detroit River, and a small village called Grandport sprang up where the Ecorse River met the Detroit River. By 1836, Grandport, now known as Ecorse, had grown into a fishing and farming center, and, by the 1900s Ecorse had gained fame as a haven for bootleggers during Prohibition, an important shipbuilding center, and the home of several championship rowing teams.

Clawson

9780738533063

$24.99

Located in southeast Oakland County, the area now known as Clawson was first settled in the 1820s. Farming was the primary industry during the first 100 years, but in the 1920s, Clawson began to develop into a "bedroom" community within the 2.2 miles that now comprise the city limits. Through a large collection of photographs from the Clawson Historical Museum, Images of America: Clawson documents the people, places, and events that have contributed to Clawson's rich heritage. Join author Deloris Kumler on a visual journey through Clawson's history, from its settlement and incorporation through the origins of its schools, streets, and buildings.

Manistique

9780738560380

$24.99

Manistique, as with many towns in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, became a boomtown as interest in natural resources made its westward movement. The area was first populated by Native Americans and occasional fur traders. Fr. Frederic Baraga made his appearance in the early 1800s bringing Christianity, but development of the area did not begin until the latter part of the 1800s. With the eastern United States' timber gone, Manistique was discovered in the 1870s and the timber rush began. Until the early 1900s, Manistique was a boomtown with sawmills, subsidiary companies, and supporting merchants and services. Once the timber was cut, the companies moved westward to find more timber and Manistique was left behind. As time went along in the last century, Manistique retained a few industries, but its primary focus has become serving as a mecca for tourism.

The Millington-Arbela Area 1854-2004

9780738532257

$24.99

Since settlers first arrived in the mid-1800s, the townships of Millington and Arbela have developed into strong communities with deep cultural roots. This informative book documents the Millington-Arbela area's growth and progress over the course of 150 years, exploring founding families, village growth, religion, business, and education through rare archival photographs and postcards. In celebration of the region's sesquicentennial anniversary, the Millington-Arbela Historical Society takes readers on a detailed visual tour of the area's rich history, revealing the remarkable people, places, and events that have shaped the townships as they are known today.

Lyon Township

9781467112451

$24.99

Lyon Township and the unincorporated hamlet of New Hudson are nestled in the southwest corner of Oakland County. They have a rich history of agricultural production. Early 20th-century records show that farmers and families socialized closely with their neighbors in the nearby village of South Lyon when the hard work of the day was done. New Hudson supported two general stores, a tavern, a post office, schools, and churches. However, the start of the I-96 expressway in the 1950s took commuters off the streets and away from local businesses, causing some to close. By the 21st century, the tides turned again, when the proximity to the expressway brought attention to the community and heralded in a new construction boom, earning Lyon Township the distinction in 2012 as one of Michigan's fastest-growing communities.

Grand Rapids in Vintage Postcards

9780738539508

$24.99

Explore the rich history of Grand Rapids, Michigan through its' nineteenth and twentieth-century postcard heritage.

Grand Rapids, Michigan, began to take shape when settlers found power, transportation, and abundant natural resources on the banks of the Grand River.

A gateway to the settlement of western and northern Michigan in the mid- to late 19th century, Grand Rapids became home to a fledgling cottage industry in the manufacture of furniture. In the decades that followed, the furniture industry brought employment and prosperity to the city, and significantly influenced its physical landscape and character.

The history of Grand Rapids during the late 19th and early 20th centuries has been documented in the postcards of the period. Hundreds of scenes of buildings and institutions, and the people who lived, worked, and played here were recorded on these cards.

Milan

9780738577012

$24.99

John Marvin started the town of Milan in 1831 by placing a two-story log building beside a dirt Native American trail. The Saline River was just a few steps away. About that time, Native Americans were either moving to reservations west of Michigan or blending in with the melting pot. Milan and its neighboring communities, such as Azalia, Paint Creek, and Mooreville, grew quickly with the influx of settlers from out East. Shoemakers arrived, along with grocers, flour mills, and even cheese factories. The Milan Area Historical Society holds a treasure trove of photographs, maps, and drawings showing the heritage in and around Milan. One of its citizens was nationally known for his scale inventions. Other citizens achieved notoriety for pulling off a stock scam in New York promoting the Electric Sugar Refining Company. Two magnificent homes near Milan were built with "sugar money."

Paul Bunyan in Michigan:

9781626196766

$21.99

The loggers who settled Michigan's Upper Peninsula whiled away winter evenings with tales of extreme weather, strange geography, legendary beasts and improbable feats. One mythic figure strode confidently from one story to the next, his legend growing with each retelling. Soon, Paul Bunyan began to appear in newspapers, magazines, books and even a Walt Disney cartoon. In this first collection since 1946 set exclusively in the UP, author Jon C. Stott recaptures the oral tradition that cast Bunyan's shadow across the national imagination. Relive the winter of the blue snow and cross paths with familiar companions like Babe and Johnny Inskslinger, as well as odd creatures like the hodag and the agropelter.