Glance at the Past

When Native Americans occupied the shores of the Grand River they welcomed the river's spring floods as they cleansed the lowlands and islands of debris for the coming season. 

In September of 1928 ads in the local papers clamored, "You'll want to tell your grandchildren that you heard the first all-talking picture. The screen speaks!"

The election of 1837 was an event not only in Michigan, but in the village that would become Grand Rapids. 

Citizens of Grand Rapids were so anxious for the advantages of the new railroad line that they had offered a bonus of $10,000 if the line was completed on time.

The famous Tiger baseball player, Ty Cobb, visited Grand Rapids in October of 1912. The city's baseball fans had long regarded Cobb, nicknamed the "Georgia Peach," as the greatest player the sport had ever known.

The membership of Fire Company No. 3 began to build their engine house on Scribner just north of Bridge St. in 1859 and completed it in 1860. Most of the labor was done by the firemen after six o'clock during the summer months.

Michigan's tornado season runs from mid-March into September. Three tornadoes in April 1956 sent more than 200 to hospitals and left an estimated 2000 homeless.

The 1899 Michigan Photographers convention, held in Grand Rapids, inspired the organizing of a local camera club. It's an organization still active in the city today.

Club Indigo was organized for the social, athletic and civic advancement of the African-American community. The members and their guests could enjoy meals, drinks, and dancing in a refined atmosphere.

Roseswift Airplane Company began passenger service for West Michigan in 1919 using a Canadian model, Curtis JN-4 bi-plane, commonly known as a Jenny.

A worker for the Grand Rapids Water Department stepped up to an open hopper in January of 1945 and began pouring sodium fluoride into the city's drinking water. It was not an act of sabotage, but the result of several years of research and planning.

After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1910, Hollis Baker joined the business founded by his father, Siebe Baker. He became president of the company in 1925 after the death of his father.

Manhole covers are the ports of entry to the underground world of pipes and mains and cables that transport light, power, heat, and water, in addition to carrying messages and removing waste.

Many local citizens are familiar with the Press Newsboys Band, and some may be aware of the Newsboys School, probably the only one of its kind in the world. But other, lesser known activities and events became available to those hardy lads.

William T. Powers built the West Side Power canal in 1866-67 to provide power to his factory, the Powers & Ball sash and door operation. The power canal was used until 1955.