Michigan History Magazine

Michigan History Magazine Published since 1917, Michigan History is about-and a part of-Michigan's fascinating past. To learn more about the Society, visit www.hsmichigan.org.

Michigan History magazine was first published in 1917 as a journal and evolved into its current magazine format in 1978. The publication is part of the non-profit Historical Society of Michigan, the state's oldest cultural organization. Is there a story that you would like to see published in Michigan History? Send your idea to [email protected]. All subscription inquiries can be directed to [email protected].

Railroads were an early cornerstone of Michigan’s industrial growth in lumber, mining, and agriculture, as well as a mod...
09/12/2025

Railroads were an early cornerstone of Michigan’s industrial growth in lumber, mining, and agriculture, as well as a mode of transportation for people visiting and settling in the state. The history of the Great Lakes State’s system of tracks, routes, and stations for trains can be found in Durand, Michigan, at the Michigan Railroad History Museum, which is a featured “History Hot Spot” in the current issue of Michigan History magazine.

Located in Durand Union Station, a 121-year-old historic train depot, the museum is home to one of the largest collections of railroad-related artifacts dedicated to the glory days of rail travel in the state. Exhibits focus on the heritage of the railroader and the contribution of Michigan’s railroads to industry through print, graphics, and railroad resources items. Virtual tours and audio tours are both available through their website at https://www.durandstation.org/

Keep up with “History Hot Spots” in Michigan History magazine when you order your copy today at https://hsmichigan.org/read/michigan-history

Ada artist Kreigh Collins interpreted the world through art at an early age. Starting his career during the Great Depres...
09/10/2025

Ada artist Kreigh Collins interpreted the world through art at an early age. Starting his career during the Great Depression, Collins used his skills to piece together a living, traveling around the country drawing advertisements and painting murals. However, he is best known for writing and illustrating comic strips like “Kevin the Bold” and “Up Anchor.” His imaginative creations were inspired by his travels around the Great Lakes, down the Mississippi River, and to the Eastern Seaboard. Have you ever seen a mural by Collins, or are you a fan of one of his famous comic strips?

Born in 1908 in Davenport, Iowa, Collins grew up in Grand Rapids, and he always wanted to be an artist. As a child, he copied illustrations from National Geographic and drew out the complete “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens. In 1924, he attended the Art Academy of Cincinnati and entered a piece from art school in an art competition at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, which won the contest. Collins traveled extensively in Morocco with established impressionist painter Mathias Alten and then traveled through Europe where he studied the greats in Paris. The Great Depression hit when he and his wife, Theresa “Teddy” VanderLaan from Hudsonville, Michigan, were living in Europe, and they bought a home in Ada in 1937. Collins artistic skills matured and become more rooted in reality over the years, as he produced popular ads, magazine covers, and even Bible school publications. Landscapes, portraits, and murals were Collins forte, and soon he was being commissioned to paint oil portraits of state officials. He also received funding from the Works Progress Administration, the New Deal-era work relief program that employed artists to create public art, further increasing his popularity. In the wake of World War II, Collins switched from painting primarily to drawing because of a repetitive stress injury, which is when his famous comic strip era really began. His most well-known comic, “Kevin the Bold,” ran internationally from 1950 to 1968. Collins passed away in 1974, and 50 years after his death, his paintings are still displayed in schools, museums, and the Michigan State Supreme Court, and his comics still have a worldwide fanbase!

Many of Kreigh’s comics can be found at kreighscomics.com, and to read the full article, get your copy of Michigan History magazine at https://hsmichigan.org/read/michigan-history

In honor of National Read-A-Book Day, which fell over the weekend on September 6, here’s a sneak peek of “This Magnetic ...
09/08/2025

In honor of National Read-A-Book Day, which fell over the weekend on September 6, here’s a sneak peek of “This Magnetic North: Candid Conversations on a Changing Northern Michigan” by Tim Mulherin, one of Michigan History magazine’s “Good Reads” for September/October!

“The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is home to some of the most scenic locations in the country, with pristine wilderness, beautiful lakeshores, and immaculate waters. However, over the years more and more people have elected to call the Upper Peninsula their permanent home. Drawing on interviews that capture a broad swath of perspectives, This Magnetic North examines the tensions between the newcomers to the area and preexisting communities. The book also offers a thought-provoking analysis of how those communities seek to balance new influxes of people while preserving the area’s natural environment.”

Learn more about This Magnetic North, published by Michigan State University Press, at https://msupress.org/9781611865363/this-magnetic-north/ . And to keep up with more “Good Reads,” get your copy of Michigan History magazine today at https://hsmichigan.org/read/michigan-history

How old is “old?” Well, that depends on who—or which rock formations—you ask. A group of scientists led by researchers f...
09/05/2025

How old is “old?” Well, that depends on who—or which rock formations—you ask.

A group of scientists led by researchers from the University of Wyoming and the University of Florida have proposed that the oldest rocks in the United States are found in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. In a recent edition of GSA Today, the researchers put forth the argument that a type of rock called Watersmeet gneiss, pictured below, is the oldest rock in the nation. Watersmeet gneiss is one of the primary components of the Watersmeet dome, a geological feature found in Gogebic County in the Upper Peninsula. The conclusion is the result of a study spanning multiple states and research sites, and it was made possible due to advancements in technology that allow for more accurate measurements. The research team determined the age of the rock by measuring the decay of certain radioactive isotopes found within the rock’s zircon crystals. The gneiss found in the Watersmeet dome is estimated to be approximately 3.62 billion years old, although some zircon crystals found in the formation are as old as 3.8 billion years old.

Check out the “Michigan News” section of Michigan History magazine to learn about historic controlled burns, a returned Civil War sword, and more! Learn more at https://hsmichigan.org/read/michigan-history

We love hearing from you! Each issue of Michigan History magazine features letters our readers have sent to us regarding...
09/02/2025

We love hearing from you! Each issue of Michigan History magazine features letters our readers have sent to us regarding recent issues. Thank you so much to Camilla Dean Liebold of Farmington Hills for sharing this heartfelt letter with us:

“I read with interest “The Road to Tokyo: The 126th Infantry in World War II” by Christopher N. Blaker in the May/June 2025 issue. My father, Charles Cameron Dean, who was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, served in the Red Arrow Division as a captain in the infantry. He was stationed for most of World War II in the Philippines. He was first sent to Leyte Island, which had been occupied by the Japanese for three years, where he fought in hand-to-hand combat. After Leyte was successfully taken, the Red Arrow Division was sent to the island of Luzon to successfully capture the infamous Villa Verde Trail—a six-week battle up 27 miles of mountainous terrain. In May 2006, my husband and I attended the Memorial Day service on Mackinac Island, Michigan, that featured Father Roy Garcia, who spoke about his experiences as a young boy in the Philippines and the fond memories he had of the American soldiers who liberated his country. After the ceremony ended, I approached him and told him about my dad. We were both moved to tears by his memories and his gratitude to the American soldiers. The Red Arrow Division was in combat for 654 days, more than any other Army unit in the war, Pacific or European theater. My dad was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, a Marksmanship badge, and several citations for bravery.”

Do you have something you would like to share with us? Email us at [email protected] or send us a letter at 3475 Westshire Dr., Lansing, MI 48917! Learn more about Michigan History magazine at https://hsmichigan.org/read/michigan-history

Before we know it, the leaves will be changing color and the days becoming noticeably shorter. Back-to-school season is ...
08/26/2025

Before we know it, the leaves will be changing color and the days becoming noticeably shorter. Back-to-school season is right around the corner, and the coming of September means a new hot-off-the-press issue of Michigan History magazine will be hitting your mailbox soon!

The September/October issue’s cover story, “A Managerial Maverick: Robert McNamara at Ford” chronicles McNamara’s crucial role as an executive at Ford Motor Company from 1946-1960, and the way that his data-driven managerial techniques changed the trajectory of the company. Other feature articles dive into the history of the Hiawatha play—inspired by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1855 epic poem “The Song of Hiawatha”—and its cultural legacy in Northern Michigan, the life and career of Ada artist Kreigh Collins, the Detroit Police Department Women’s Division, and more. And there are lots of special sections to enjoy, too, including “Michigan News,” “Profiles,” “Good Reads,” and more. Whether you’re interested in historical mail, found artifacts, or historical “Then & Now” comparisons, or just all things Michigan, there’s something for everyone to explore.

Want a copy of this issue? Learn more about Michigan History magazine at https://hsmichigan.org/join/subscribe-michigan-history

In February 1954, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studios released a 96-minute movie called “The Long, Long Trailer” with the ...
08/22/2025

In February 1954, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studios released a 96-minute movie called “The Long, Long Trailer” with the beloved husband-and-wife duo Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. While the film became the highest-grossing comedy at the time—earning just under five million dollars across the United States and Canada—the real star of the show was the luxurious 1953 36-foot New Moon camper made by the Redman Trailer Company in Alma, Michigan. Do you have memories of this film or inside one of these iconic trailers?

In the 1930s, the two oldest Redman brothers, who were already part of a thriving wholesale family grocery business, turned to their engineering friend Allen Hathaway to help construct a trailer that could be used for hunting and camping expeditions. They built 30 trailers off the bat, knowing that buying supplies in bulk would help keep costs low. Hathaway and the Redman brothers formed the Alma Trailer Company in 1934, and in 1935, Hathaway filed a patent for a “new, original, and ornamental Design for Trailers” called the Silvermoon House Trailer. The price for the Silvermoon started at $350, with deluxe models costing between $450 and $500. Demand for the Silvermoon increased quickly, and before long, James E. Ryan, a member of the Detroit Stock Exchange, stepped in as the fiscal agent for the Alma Trailer Company and eventually acquired 51% of the company, forcing out the founders. Undeterred, the Redmans and Hathaway opened another shop in a vacant pickle canning factory. By November 1937, the Redman Trailer Company was officially incorporated, and a new 16-foot New Moon trailer hit the market. With two trailer companies in town, Alma was on its way to becoming the “World’s Trailer Capital.”

Each issue of Michigan History magazine has six feature articles. See what else is inside this issue at https://hsmichigan.org/read/michigan-history

In 1919, a group of Black doctors came together to found Dunbar Memorial Hospital, the first nonprofit Black hospital in...
08/14/2025

In 1919, a group of Black doctors came together to found Dunbar Memorial Hospital, the first nonprofit Black hospital in Detroit, Michigan. The hospital was founded to cater to the city’s Black population, which had grown rapidly due to the Great Migration. Despite fascism discrimination and racism, the founders of the Dunbar Memorial Hospital fought for their community’s right to receive high-quality health care. Have you seen the historic marker at the hospital’s original location at 580 Frederick St. in Detroit?

The Great Migration, which lasted from around 1910 to the early 1960s, marked one of the largest movements of people in United States history, and saw the Black populations of many Northern U.S. cities—such as Detroit and Chicago—explode rapidly. In 1915, Detroit’s Black population was 7,000; by 1917, there were more than 17,000 Black Americans living in Detroit. Huge health disparities were created by the socioeconomic conditions of these new majority-Black areas due to overcrowding in poor housing and sanitation and the absence of quality health care. Racism, segregation, and discrimination within the medical field created the need for Black medical professionals to take matters into their own hands and create an organization that would meet the medical needs of the Black population. In 1918, Dr. James Weskey Ames, a graduate of Howard Medical School, organized the Allied Medication Association (AMA) with 30 Black physicians from various medical fields, including surgery, dentistry, pharmacy, gynecology, and ophthalmology. Today, the AMA is known as the Detroit Medical Society. In 1918, the AMA founded the first nonprofit hospital for Black Detroiters, Dunbar Memorial Hospital. The 27-bed hospital significantly contributed to the advancing the medical profession in Detroit and had its own nursing school and internship program for graduate students, as well as networking opportunities for Black health care workers. Dunbar Memorial Hospital outgrew its original location by 1925 and moved to a new location, which was eventually demolished in 1962 to make room for expansion at the Detroit Receiving Hospital, but the original building still exists on Frederick St.

There is something in Michigan History magazine for everyone! Learn more at https://hsmichigan.org/read/michigan-history

Along with the heat of summer comes a statewide spirit of friendly competition! Many Michiganders—from professional athl...
08/12/2025

Along with the heat of summer comes a statewide spirit of friendly competition! Many Michiganders—from professional athletes to student hobbyists, spectators to active participants—have enjoyed sports throughout the years. Whether by playing on the field, participating in a class event, supporting the home team from afar while listening to the radio, or cheering on the sidelines, engaging in sports has always had a way of bringing communities together while also encouraging individuals to do their best. Check out this mail item related to summertime sporting activities!

This certificate shows that Salina Junior High School in Dearborn, Michigan, awarded a letter to a student named Lila Hager, recognizing her performance in all sports during the 1947-1948 season. What sports did she play? We can’t be sure, but there is historical evidence that she was great at them!

Find more historical mail items in the “Michigan Mailbag” section of Michigan History magazine! Learn more at https://hsmichigan.org/read/michigan-history

Do you love nostalgic Michigan memories? If so, you’ll love the “Remember the Time” section of Michigan History magazine...
08/08/2025

Do you love nostalgic Michigan memories? If so, you’ll love the “Remember the Time” section of Michigan History magazine! The author of our most recent “Remember the Time” recounts her peaceful, warm memories of growing up in Kalamazoo in the 1940s.

The author of this piece, Carolyn Comer Wysong, recalls growing up spending lots of time with her grandparents, who immigrated from the Netherlands at a young age and eventually settled in Kalamazoo. Her grandfather owned a grocery store down the street and her grandmother was a midwife. Carolyn describes her grandmother as a “short, stout, no-nonsense Dutch woman” who kept the house immaculate and was always knitting beautiful lace edges for her knit goods. She remembers “passing the cream and sugar and cookies” when the “ladies” came over for tea and helping her grandfather clean and prepare huge loads of green onions for the market. During the harvest season, her grandparents would put bushels of tomatoes, beans, carrots and onions on the steps of their large front porch along with a scale and a tin can for customers to leave money in. Her grandmother would do the canning in the cement basement, where there was a set of low burners near the furnace. Carolyn and her mother would assist in the canning process, preparing string beans and peeling tomatoes. On Sundays, the family went to church, which Carolyn describes as “an important part of our Sundays,” before an afternoon walk and a roast dinner. Though her childhood was very different from the children of today, she remembers her youth in Kalamazoo very fondly. Thanks, Carolyn, for sharing your memory with us!

Want your memory featured in a future issue? Send an email to [email protected] for more information.

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Michigan History Magazine

Published since 1917, Michigan History is about—and a part of—Michigan's fascinating past. Every issue tells the exciting stories of all of Michigan’s peoples and their impact on their communities, nation and world. The magazine covers a variety of history topics ranging from military history to historical Native American recipes and everything in between. It is published by the Historical Society of Michigan.

The Historical Society of Michigan, the state’s oldest cultural organization, helps to connect Michigan’s past to students, educators, historical organizations, and the public through education programs, conferences, publications, awards, workshops, referral services, networking opportunities, and support for local history organizations. It is a 501(c) nonprofit.

To learn more about Michigan History or the Historical Society of Michigan, visit www.hsmichigan.org.