Glance at the Past

Glance at the Past http://www.historygrandrapids.org/ en-us ℗ & © 2009, Grand Rapids Historical Commission Grand Rapids Historical Commission GRHC The Grand Rapids Historical Commission Podcast features "A Glance at the Past," a local history radio project. Take a listen to give you a glimpse of Grand Rapids in the past. The Grand Rapids Historical Commission Podcast features "A Glance at the Past," a local history radio project. Take a listen to give you a glimpse of Grand Rapids in the past. Grand Rapids Historical Commission grhistory@yahoo.com Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, History, Roads and Streets GRHC The early roads into the village of Grand Rapids were along Indian trails, and the influence of these trails on the city can still be seen today. https://ia902503.us.archive.org/20/items/GLANCEMAR31APR6RoadsAndStreets/GLANCE_MAR%2031-APR%206_Roads%20and%20Streets.mp3 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 00:00:00 -0400 128 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Indian trails; streets Mill Creek Bass Hatchery The only institution of its kind in the world, the Michigan Fish Commission's hatchery was located within three miles of Grand Rapids. https://ia902507.us.archive.org/18/items/GLANCEMAR2430MillCreekBassHatchery/GLANCE_MAR%2024-30_Mill%20Creek%20Bass%20Hatchery.mp3 Mon, 24 Mar 2014 00:00:00 -0400 126 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; fish; bass; hatchery; Mill Creek The Irish GRHC The Irish seemed to have followed the direction of the westward movement on the Erie Canal and later the railroads. https://ia902507.us.archive.org/20/items/GLANCEMAR1723TheIrish/GLANCE_MAR%2017-23_The%20Irish.mp3 Mon, 17 Mar 2014 00:00:00 -0400 122 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Grand Rapids; Irish; Hibernians; Knights of Columbus Blacksmiths and Carpenters The first trade established in the village of Grand Rapids was that of blacksmith, and the carpenters were not far behind.   https://ia902505.us.archive.org/22/items/GLANCEMAR1016BlacksmithsCarpenters/GLANCE_MAR%2010-16_Blacksmiths%20Carpenters.mp3 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 00:00:00 -0400 124 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; carpenters; blacksmiths The Nelson Elms Two fine elm trees stood on Bostwick St. At least three feet in diameter, and sixty feet high, their wide tops shaded both sides of the street. The city was ready to cut them down. https://ia902505.us.archive.org/21/items/GLANCEMar39NelsonElms/GLANCE_Mar%203-9_Nelson%20Elms.mp3 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 00:00:00 -0500 126 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; trees; elms; James and Ezra Nelson Historic City Elections GRHC More than one town has claimed itself the GOP's birthplace. One of those towns was Grand Rapids, back in 1854. https://ia902508.us.archive.org/27/items/GLANCEFEB1723GOPBirthplace/GLANCE_FEB%2017-23_GOP%20Birthplace.mp3 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 00:00:00 -0500 138 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; elections; GOP; republicans Homemade Auto GRHC Several enterprising youngsters, bent on the possession of an automobile, but not having the price of one, contrived a ride in a horseless carriage. https://ia902507.us.archive.org/33/items/GLANCEFEB1016HomeMadeAuto/GLANCE_FEB%2010-16_%20Home%20Made%20Auto.mp3 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 00:00:00 -0500 116 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; John Ball Park; horseless carriage Cosmetics Business GRHC For 19th century women, making a living was fraught with hurdles. Nora Husted found way to support herself and her five children by making face cream in her kitchen from an old family recipe. It grew into a Grand Rapids business that lasted over 50 years. https://ia700606.us.archive.org/15/items/GLANCEFEB39CosmeticsBusiness/GLANCE_FEB%203-9_Cosmetics%20Business.mp3 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 00:00:00 -0500 130 WYCE, radio, history, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Women, business, cosmetics St. Cecilia Building GRHC A small group of nine women were responsible for the construction, in 1893, of the St. Cecilia building, dedicated to the purpose of music. https://ia701200.us.archive.org/3/items/GLANCEJAN27FEB2St.CeciliaBuilding/GLANCE_JAN%2027-FEB%202_St.%20Cecilia%20Building.mp3 Mon, 27 Jan 2014 00:00:00 -0500 148 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; music; St. Cecilia; auditorium Jess Elster is Dead GRHC Jess Elster was a symbol of semi-pro baseball. He came to Grand Rapids in 1904 and played his first season as a catcher the next year. When he died in December of 1950, he had been "Mr. Baseball" of the city for almost 50  years. https://ia600702.us.archive.org/26/items/GLANCEJAN613JessElsterIsDead/GLANCE_JAN%206-13_Jess%20Elster%20is%20Dead.mp3 Mon, 06 Jan 2014 00:00:00 -0500 126 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Jess Elster; baseball Grand Rapids Hydraulic Company GRHC The privately owned Grand Rapids Hydraulic Company provided drinking water from creeks and springs to residents from 1848 until the end of the 19th century. https://ia600609.us.archive.org/29/items/GLANCEDEC30JAN5HydraulicCompany/GLANCE_DEC%2030-JAN%205_Hydraulic%20Company.mp3 Mon, 30 Dec 2013 00:00:00 -0500 118 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; water Viva Flaherty GRHC Viva Flaherty attended Central High School, Vassar College, and the University of Michigan before taking a position at the Bissell Settlement House in Grand Rapids in 1903. Several years later she left for New York City to work with newly arriving immigrants. She was always an outspoken champion of the underdog. https://ia600406.us.archive.org/31/items/GLANCEDEC2329VivaFlaherty/GLANCE_DEC%2023-29_Viva%20Flaherty.mp3 Mon, 23 Dec 2013 00:00:00 -0500 129 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Viva Flaherty; furniture strike Wurzburg's Toyland GRHC Wurzburg's Department store ran large ads in the Grand Rapids Herald and Press announcing the visit of Norwegian Hero of the Arctic and his Siberian sled dogs to Wurzburg's Toyland. https://ia601005.us.archive.org/31/items/GLANCEDEC1622WurzburgChristmas/GLANCE_DEC%2016-22_Wurzburg%20Christmas.mp3 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 00:00:00 -0500 138 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Christmas; Leonhard Seppala; dogs; Wurzburg's Grand Rapids Romance GRHC Grand Rapids Romance, produced by Gilligham & Smith Enterprises, owners of the Orpheum Theater, featured local citizens in a suspenseful, romantic story. The newspaper reviews were mixed. https://ia600200.us.archive.org/17/items/GLANCEDEC915GRRomance/GLANCE_DEC%209-15_GR%20Romance.mp3 Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:00:00 -0500 132 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; film; romance; movies Hoffman Apartments GRHC The Hoffman apartments on Ransom NE had many modern conveniences to attract upscale tenants. The seven room suites made for comfortable living close to downtown. https://ia601204.us.archive.org/34/items/GLANCEDEC28HoffmanApts/GLANCE_DEC%202-8_Hoffman%20Apts.mp3 Mon, 02 Dec 2013 00:00:00 -0500 134 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; apartments; Ransom Ave. Crossing Lake Michigan GRHC Grand Rapids seems to have had difficulty relinquishing its attachment to the great lakes steamboats, but at the same time it happily accepted the advantages of the railroads.  https://ia601206.us.archive.org/26/items/GLANCENOV25DEC1CrossingLakeMichigan/GLANCE_NOV%2025-DEC%201_Crossing%20Lake%20Michigan.mp3 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0500 132 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; history; Historical Commission; Lake Michigan; steamboats, railroads White Flame Light GRHC A simple attempt to adjust his mother's oil lamp led to a small shoestring business which grew into a company with international agents. https://ia601000.us.archive.org/7/items/GLANCENOV1118WhiteFlameLight/GLANCE_NOV%2011-18_White%20Flame%20Light.mp3 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0500 119 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; lamp; Victor Blandford Saving the Fair GRHC A Grand Rapids businessman, Melvin Church, while visiting Chicago, suggested an innovative solution to an engineer during the construction of the World's Fair that allowed the fair to open on schedule. https://ia601001.us.archive.org/9/items/GLANCENOV410SavingTheFair/GLANCE_NOV_4-10_Saving%20the%20Fair.mp3 Mon, 04 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0500 131 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Chicago; World's Fair; Columbian Exposition; Melvin Church The Land of Make Believe GRHC The children's map, Land of Make Believe, created by Jaro Hess in the 1930s, captured the imagination of children and their parents as soon as it appeared. While it was just one of his many creations, it is his most well-known work and is still available today. https://ia601901.us.archive.org/7/items/GLANCEOCT28NOV3MakeBelieve/GLANCE_OCT%2028-NOV%203_Make%20Believe.mp3 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0400 127 WYCE; radio; history; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Jaro Hess; artist Artist, Alexander Flyn GRHC Alexander Flyn, an accomplished Grand Rapids portrait artist, came to this city in 1918 and stayed until his death in 1963. During that time he was active in the local art community. https://ia601006.us.archive.org/15/items/GLANCEOCT713AlexanderFlynn/GLANCE_OCT%207-13_AlexanderFlynn.mp3 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0400 120 WYCE; radio; history; artist; WWII; portraits; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission One Man, Two Milestones GRHC William J. Hardy became active in the politics of Gaines Township after African American men were granted the right to vote in 1870. https://ia601005.us.archive.org/5/items/GLANCESEP30OCT6WilliamHardy/GLANCE_SEP%2030-OCT%206_William%20Hardy.mp3 Mon, 30 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 111 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; African Americans; Gaines Township; politics Fifty Years Ago GRHC The "Knockout Polio" drive began in September of 1963. Approximately 320,000 people in Kent County participated, 86% of the population, and took the two drops of vaccine placed on a sugar cube. https://ia601008.us.archive.org/17/items/GLANCESEP232950YearsAgo/GLANCE_SEP%2023-29_50%20Years%20Ago.mp3 Mon, 23 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 138 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Polio; Salk Vaccine Rose's Beach GRHC Jim Rose began offering swimming instruction at Reed's Lake in 1901. By the time Rose's Beach was closed during WWII, Jim and his family had watched thousands of people swimming there for forty-three years. http://ia601008.us.archive.org/3/items/GLANCESEP1622Roses/GLANCE_SEP%2016-22_Roses.mp3 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 117 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Reed's Lake; Roses's Beach City Charter and Seal GRHC The original seal of the city was adopted on June 25, 1850, but seven years later the Common Council decided that since it had passed a new charter, the seal also needed a few adjustments. http://ia601009.us.archive.org/2/items/GLANCEAUG26SEP1Charter/GLANCE_AUG%2026-SEP1_Charter.mp3 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 00:00:00 -0400 122 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; city charter; city seal Aquinas College GRHC Aquinas College has had several names and been in several locations, but it has occupied its beautiful wooded campus since 1945. http://ia601901.us.archive.org/25/items/GLANCEAUG2225AquinasCollege_201309/GLANCE_AUG%2022-25_Aquinas%20College.mp3 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 00:00:00 -0400 127 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Aquinas College Ryerson Portrait GRHC Martin Antoine Ryerson's roots go back to the beginning of the city, and the Ryerson Library, now the Grand Rapids Public Library, was his gift to the people of his native city. http://ia801009.us.archive.org/7/items/GLANCEEpisode190JUNE1316RyersonPortrait/GLANCE_Episode%20190_JUNE%2013-16_Ryerson%20Portrait.mp3 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400 116 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; history; Public Library; Martin A. Ryerson Ramona Theater The Ramona Theater had stood so long it couldn't be dismantled. Wreckers wanted to salvage the steel roof beams, but the huge wooden pillars supporting them were rotten. How could they finish the project? http://ia801903.us.archive.org/22/items/GLANCEEpisode187MAY2326RamonaTheatre/GLANCE_Episode%20187_MAY%2023-26_Ramona%20Theatre.mp3 Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400 121 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Ramona Theater; demolition Brief History of Microfilm When you visit the Grand Rapids Public Library you can read microfilm copies of city newspapers from the 1840s to current times. Have you ever wondered how long microfilm has been available? http://ia801005.us.archive.org/25/items/GLANCEEpisode186MAY1519Microfilm/GLANCE_Episode%20186_MAY%2015-19_Microfilm.mp3 Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400 136 WYCE; radio; history; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; library; microfilm; newspapers One City Corner In October of 2007 the Grand Rapids Art Museum opened its new building, ninety-seven years after its founding in 1910. It occupies the same corner where 157 years earlier William Preusser began his jewelry and clock business. http://ia801008.us.archive.org/8/items/GLANCEEpisode185MAY812CityCorner/GLANCE_Episode%20185_MAY%208-12_City%20Corner.mp3 Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400 136 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Art Museum; William Preusser Inventor, Bill Lear The Lear organization was founded in Chicago in 1930 to produce the first practical automobile radio and other radio equipment Bill Lear had invented. http://ia801008.us.archive.org/25/items/GLANCEEpisode184MAY15BillLear/GLANCE_Episode%20184_MAY%201-5_Bill%20Lear.mp3 Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400 136 WYCE; radio; history; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Bill Lear; flight navigation; WWII Spring Floods 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.  http://ia601003.us.archive.org/25/items/GLANCEEpisode183APR2428SpringFloods/GLANCE_Episode%20183_APR%2024-28_Spring%20Floods.mp3 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400 124 WYCE; radio; history; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; floods; Native Americans; Grand River First Talking Picture 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!" http://ia800901.us.archive.org/7/items/GLANCEEpisode182APR17211stTalkie/GLANCE_Episode%20182_APR%2017-21_1st%20Talkie.mp3 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400 147 WYCE; radio; history; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; movies; talking pictures; Vitaphone Early Elections The election of 1837 was an event not only in Michigan, but in the village that would become Grand Rapids.  http://ia601001.us.archive.org/13/items/GLANCEEpisode181APR1014EarlyElections/GLANCE_Episode%20181_APR%2010-14_Early%20Elections.mp3 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400 137 WYCE; radio; history; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; politics; election Railroad Race 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. http://ia601003.us.archive.org/8/items/GLANCEEpisode180APR37RailroadRace/GLANCE_Episode%20180_APR%203-7_Railroad%20Race.mp3 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400 137 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; railroad; trains Ty Cobb 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. http://ia801703.us.archive.org/29/items/GLANCEMAR2024Episode178TyCobb_201304/GLANCE_MAR%2020-24_Episode%20178_Ty%20Cobb.mp3 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 118 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Ty Cobb; baseball Number 3's Engine House 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. http://ia601701.us.archive.org/35/items/GLANCEMAR1317Episode177Number3sEngineHouse/GLANCE_MAR%2013-17_Episode%20177_Number%203s%20Engine%20House.mp3 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 119 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Fire Department Tornadoes 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. http://ia801703.us.archive.org/35/items/GLANCEMAR610Episode176Tornadoes/GLANCE_MAR%206-10_Episode%20176_Tornadoes.mp3 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500 143 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; weather; tornadoes Camera Club 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. http://ia601704.us.archive.org/21/items/GLANCEMAR2731Episode179CameraClub/GLANCE_MAR%2027-31_Episode%20179_Camera%20Club.mp3 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 120 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; photography; Camera Club Club Indigo 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. http://ia801703.us.archive.org/4/items/GLANCEFEB27MAR3Episode175ClubIndigo/GLANCE_FEB%2027-MAR%203_Episode%20175_%20Club%20Indigo.mp3 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 133 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; African Americans; entertainment First Airplane Service 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. http://ia801703.us.archive.org/3/items/GLANCEFEB1317Episode173AirplaneService/GLANCE_FEB_13-17_Episode%20173_Airplane%20Service.mp3 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 136 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; airplanes; Fish Hassell; Roseswift Better Smiles 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. http://ia601702.us.archive.org/18/items/GLANCEFEB610Episode172BetterSmiles/GLANCE_FEB%206-10_Episode%20172_Better%20Smiles.mp3 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 125 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; health; fluoride Manhole Covers 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. http://ia801704.us.archive.org/33/items/GLANCEJAN2327Episode170ManholeCovers/GLANCE_JAN_23-27_Episode%20170_Manhole%20Covers.mp3 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500 132 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; utilities City Newsboys 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. http://ia801701.us.archive.org/29/items/GLANCEJAN16Episode169Newsboys_201304/GLANCE_JAN_16_Episode%20169_Newsboys.mp3 Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500 126 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; newsboys; Press West Side Power Canal GRHC 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. http://ia601505.us.archive.org/10/items/GlanceAtThePast-WestSidePowerCanal/Glance_jan_9_episode168_westSidePowerCanal.mp3 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500 135 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; West Side; canal; industry Traveler's Guide GRHC The weekly Grand Rapids Saturday Evening Post, in addition to local happenings, provided schedules of the several railroads that serviced the city in its "Traveler's Guide" column. http://ia601500.us.archive.org/4/items/GlanceAtThePast-TravelersGuide/Glance_jan2-6_episode167TravelersGuide-1.mp3 Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500 142 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; railroads; railroad schedules; Grand Rapids Saturday Evening Post Michigan Oak School GRHC The first school in Grand Rapids Township, District No. 4 was a small log cabin with ten pupils that opened in September 1844. The teacher, Miss Amelia Davis received $12 for the three-month term. http://ia801602.us.archive.org/30/items/GlanceAtThePast-MichiganOakSchool/Glance_dec26-dec30_episode166MiOakSchool.mp3 Wed, 26 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500 136 Glance at the Past; WYCE; radio; history; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; schools; Michigan Oak School Christmas Delicacies GRHC Many holiday foods have early origins from England, Ireland, Scandinavia, and Germany to name just a few. Hot rum punch and eggnog, as well as apple pie are American additions. http://ia801605.us.archive.org/28/items/GlanceAtThePast-ChristmasDelicacies/Glance_dec19-23_episode165ChristmasDelicacies.mp3 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500 141 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Christmas; holidays; food; England; Scandinavia; Germany Weather School In January of 1943 the Army Air Force Weather School was established in Grand Rapids. Four hundred cadets and thirty instructors began a nine month course in meteorology at the Civic Auditorium. http://ia601704.us.archive.org/20/items/GLANCEDEC1216Episode164WeatherSchool_201304/GLANCE_DEC%2012-16_Episode%20164_Weather%20School.mp3 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500 138 WYCE; Community Media Center; Historical Commission; Grand Rapids; World War II; weather Television vs. Movies GRHC Television was viewed as the destroyer of movies during the 1950s. Was that really the case or were there other contributing causes? http://ia701505.us.archive.org/24/items/GlanceAtThePast-TelevisionVs.TheMovies/Glance_dec4-8_episode163_tvMovies.mp3 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500 133 Glance at the Past; WYCE; radio; history; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; television; movies; theaters County Jail GRHC For many years the Kent County jail, which stood on the east bank of the Grand River, was considered one of the prettiest blocks in the city. http://ia701506.us.archive.org/12/items/GlanceAtThePast-CountyJail/Glance_nov_28-dec2_episode162_countyJail.mp3 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500 128 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Kent County Jail; Grand River The Walnut Tree GRHC Charles Garfield discovered a fascinating story, about the existence of a lone black walnut tree, from an aged Ottawa Indian. http://ia700408.us.archive.org/4/items/GlanceAtThePast-TheWalnutTree/Glance_nov21-25_episode161_walnutTree.mp3 Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500 123 Glance at the Past; WYCE; radio; history; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Charles Garfield; Burton Farm; Native American Learning to Fly Daring young men, eager to emulate the birds, experimented with gliders and heavier-than-air planes as they attempted to escape earth's gravity. http://ia701209.us.archive.org/15/items/GlanceAtThePast-LearningToFly/Glance_nov_7_episode160_learningToFly.mp3 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500 132 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; gliders; airplanes; Reed's Lake Ambassador's Palace GRHC Ambassador Thomas J. O"Brien servered in Denmark, Japan, and Rome where the position of the United States required he find a proper residence. http://ia601505.us.archive.org/18/items/GlanceAtThePast-AmbassadorsPalace/Glance_oct31-nov4_episode159_ambassadorsPalace.mp3 Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400 135 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Thomas J. Obrien; ambassador; Rome Bentham's Restaurant GRHC James Bentham's restaurant was an important place in town in the 1800s. Charles Belknap claimed it was as important as Daniel Ball's bank. http://ia601502.us.archive.org/32/items/GlanceAtThePast-BenthamsRestaurant/Glance_oct_24-28_episode158_benthamsRestaurant.mp3 Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400 122 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; James Bentham; Charles Belknap Weather Kiosk GRHC An automatic weather station, provided by the United States Weather Bureau, was installed in Monument Park in 1913. http://ia701501.us.archive.org/7/items/GlanceAtThePast-WeatherKiosk/Glance_sep19-23_episode157_weatherKiosk.mp3 Wed, 19 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400 130 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; US Weather Bureau; instruments; measurements City Grade Bench GRHC The grade bench established a starting point, or base, from which surveys and levels were calculated in city engineering. http://ia701207.us.archive.org/16/items/GlanceAtThePast-CityGradeBench/Glance_sep12-16_episode156_cityGradeBench.mp3 Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400 123 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; surveys; Wright L. Coffinberry Maria Lund Royce GRHC Music was a centerpiece in the life of Maria Royce as composer, a force in the St. Cecilia Music Society, and her involvement with deaf children and Camp Fire Girls. http://ia601502.us.archive.org/12/items/GlanceAtThePast-MariaLundRoyce/Glance_aug_22-26_episode153_mariaLundRoyce.mp3 Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400 133 Glance at the Past; WYCE; radio; history; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Maria Lund Royce; St. Cecilia Society; music Whooping Cough GRHC Doctors Pearl Kendrick and Grace Eldering developed the first effective vaccine against whooping cough. By 1940 Michigan was distributing the vaccine, which would put an end to the deaths. http://ia701206.us.archive.org/23/items/GlanceAtThePast-WhoopingCough/Glance_aug_15-19_episode152_whoopingCough.mp3 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400 132 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Dr. Pearl Kendrick; Dr. Grace Eldering; Whooping Cough; vaccine; history War Memorials GRHC Over the years many war memorials have been proposed and erected in Grand Rapids. The first was the Civil War Monument, which was erected in 1885 and stands in Monument Park at the corner of Monroe Center and Division Ave. http://ia701204.us.archive.org/35/items/GlanceAtThePast-WarMemorials/Glance_aug8-12_episode151_warMemorials.mp3 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400 137 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; memorials; Civil War; monuments; Old Tower Clock GRHC The clock in the tower of the old City Hall was one of the few things saved when the building was demolished. Today the beautifully restored clock keeps time and chimes the hour at its home in the Grand Rapids Public Museum. http://ia600700.us.archive.org/14/items/GlanceAtThePast-OldTowerClock/Glance_aug1-5_episode150_oldClocktower.mp3 Wed, 01 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400 120 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; clock; City Hall; Grand Rapids Public Museum; Highways of Yesterday GRHC When the village of Grand Rapids was founded, the Grand River was the only highway. Soon small steamboats traveled the river, the first was the Governor Mason launched in 1837. Steamboats moved passengers and freight up and down the river until the advent of the railroad, which spelled doom for river travel.   http://ia701209.us.archive.org/18/items/GlanceAtThePast-HighwaysOfYesterday_415/Glance_july25-29_episode148_highwaysOfYesterday.mp3 Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400 130 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Grand River; travel; steamboats; railroads; highways Austin Touring Car GRHC Hundreds of small factories across the country attempted to build "horseless carriages" during the early 20th century, but few lasted more than a year or two. Grand Rapids had its share of "backyard tinkerers" but only one was successful, the Austin Automobile Co. owned by James Austin and his son Walter. The company was in business from 1903 to 1921. http://ia700407.us.archive.org/33/items/GlanceAtThePast-AustinTouringCar/Glance_july18-22_episode147_austinTouringCar.mp3 Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400 140 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Austin Automobile Co.; horseless carriage; James E. Austin; Walter S. Austin Octagonal Houses GRHC Octagonal houses were popular in the 19th century, and Grand Rapids had three over the years. The final two were demolished during Urban Renewal in the 1960s. http://ia700807.us.archive.org/30/items/GlanceAtThePast-OctagonalHouses/Glance_july11-15_episode146_octagonalHouses.mp3 Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400 140 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; octagonal houses Pioneer's Fourth GRHC The village of Grand Rapids had rousing Fourth of July celebrations from its very beginning in 1833. http://ia700409.us.archive.org/15/items/GlanceAtThePast-PioneersFourth/Glance_episode145_july4-8_pioneerFourth.mp3 Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400 120 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; celebrations; Fourth of July Artist, Orville Bulman GRHC Orville Bulman, who enjoyed drawing cartoons at an early age, evolved into an excellent and successful artist. His paintings often tell stories, and many depict tropical and exotic settings.   http://ia600705.us.archive.org/14/items/GlanceAtThePast-ArtistOrvilleBulman/Glance_episode143_jun20-24_orvilleBulmanArt.mp3 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400 129 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission, artist, Orville Bulman Ward Schools GRHC From 1856 to 1860 Grand Rapids constructed four small wooden schools, one in each ward on the east side of the Grand River, for primary school children. Thus the name, Ward Schools.   http://ia700704.us.archive.org/26/items/GlanceAtThePast-WardSchools/Glance_episode142_jun_13-17_wardSchools.mp3 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400 132 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; schools; children; primary school; wards; Grand River Lost Theme Park GRHC An "Outdoor museum for houses" is what one magazine called the Homestyle Center planned for the 80 acres adjacent to where Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park stands today. Nationally known architects designed the planned homes, which would feature the latest in decoration and Grand Rapids furniture.   http://ia601209.us.archive.org/8/items/GlanceAtThePast-LostThemePark/Glance_episode140_may30-jun3_theLostThemePark.mp3 Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 128 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Homestyle Center; architects; furniture; Buckminster Fuller; George Nelson Senator and the Titanic GRHC Senator William Alden Smith of Grand Rapids gained national recognition when he chaired the Senate subcommittee investigating the causes of the sinking of the Titanic.   http://ia601209.us.archive.org/13/items/GlanceAtThePast-SenatorAndTheTitanic/Glance_episode139_may_23-27_senatorAndTitanic.mp3 Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 115 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; William Alden Smith; senator; Titanic Once Upon a Time GRHC Early hotels called their guests to meals with loud bells, and saloons served free lunches, heavy on the seasonings, to keep their customers thirsty.   http://ia600704.us.archive.org/6/items/GlanceAtThePast-OnceUponATime/Glance_episode138_may16-20_onceUponATime.mp3 Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 126 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; hotels; saloons; Soldiers' Home Fulton St. Park GRHC Fulton St. Park, now known as Veteran's Park, was lovingly cared for by an enterprising citizen, Thomas Gilbert, who planted trees and cared for them because he had a vision of the future.   http://ia700506.us.archive.org/22/items/GlanceAtThePast-FultonSt.Park/Glance_may8-13_FultonStreetPark.mp3 Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 122 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Fulton St. Park; Thomas Gilbert; Veteran's Park Fire Brigade GRHC The city's early fire brigades were volunteer organizations, the church bell at St. Andrews Cathedral was one of two fire alarms, and horses had to be harnessed before the engine could leave the fire house.   http://ia600303.us.archive.org/25/items/GlanceAtThePast-TheFireBrigade/Glance_may2-6_fireBrigade.mp3 Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400 125 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; fire engines; horses Passenger Pigeons GRHC Michigan and Grand Rapids played an unfortunate role in the worst example of mass extermination by humans in the history of wildlife, the Passenger Pigeon.   http://ia700306.us.archive.org/18/items/GlanceAtThePast-PassengerPigeons/Glance_episode135_passengerPigeonsapr_25-29.mp3 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 132 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Passenger Pigeons; Great Lakes; Shipyard Forge GRHC The shipyard forge, located where the Amway Grand Plaza stands today, was the site of the boatyard where boats were built that ran on the Grand River.   http://ia601205.us.archive.org/13/items/GlanceAtThePast-TheShipyardForge/Glance_episode134_theShipyardForge_apr_18-22.mp3 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 132 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Grand River; boats; forge Tiger Baseball & WWII GRHC Unlike today, professional baseball, including the Detroit Tigers, was severely affected during Word War II by travel restrictions and the loss of players who had either enlisted or been drafted.   http://ia601209.us.archive.org/23/items/GlanceAtThePast-TigerBaseball/Glance_episode133_tigerBaseball1945_apr_4-8.mp3 Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 135 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; baseball; sports; Detroit; Word War II Smith's Opera House GRHC As the Opera House aged and burlesque became the standard fare the theater became known as "wicked old Smith's Opera House. Some considered its reputation redeemed when Mel Trotter turned it into a rescue mission.   http://ia601204.us.archive.org/24/items/GlanceAtThePast-SmithsOperaHouse/Glance_mar28-apr1_episode132_smithsOperaHouse.mp3 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 129 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Smith's Opera House; burlesque; Mel Trotter; The Woman's Club GRHC The Ladies Literary Club, founded in 1873, was at the leading edge of the women's club movement established for the intellectual and cultural advancement of women.   http://ia701204.us.archive.org/26/items/GlanceAtThePast-TheWomansClub/Glance_mar_21-25_episode131_womensClub.mp3 Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 145 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Ladies Literary Club; First Art Museum GRHC The first home of the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the failed venture of Port Sheldon have an interesting historical connection.   http://ia701200.us.archive.org/29/items/GlanceAtThePast-FirstArtMuseum/Glance_mar_14-18_episode130_1stArtMuseum.mp3 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 145 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Port Sheldon; Abraham Pike; Emily J. Clark; Grand Rapids Art Museum; The Milliners GRHC The first milliner, a career practiced solely by women, opened her hat shop at the corner of Monroe and Ottawa in 1838. By 1900 over one hundred women listed milliner as their occupation in the city directory.   http://ia701201.us.archive.org/35/items/GlanceAtThePast-TheMilliners/Glance_episode129_mar7-11_milliners.mp3 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 134 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; milliner; hats; Tourist Building GRHC The original tenant of the one story Georgian style building at the west edge of Fulton St. Park, now Veteran's Park, was the Michigan Tourist and Resort Association, which had maintained it headquarters in Grand Rapids since its founding in 1917.   http://ia701201.us.archive.org/31/items/GlanceAtThePast-TouristBuilding/Glance_episode128_feb29-mar4_touristBuilding.mp3 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 123 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Fulton St. Park; Henry H. Turner; Michigan Tourist and Resort Association Lone Eagle Arrives GRHC It was a memorable day in 1927 when Col. Charles A. Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis were welcomed to Grand Rapids by the largest reception in the city's history.   http://ia701207.us.archive.org/16/items/GlanceAtThePast-LoneEagleArrives/Glance_episode126_feb15-19_loneEagle.mp3 Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 129 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; Lone Eagle; Spirit of St. Louis; John Ball Park; Charles A. Lindbergh; monoplane Eagle Hotel GRHC The Eagle Hotel, built in 1834, served the residents and visitors of the city for ninety-nine years. It had many landlords during its tenure, but one was remembered for killing a guest. http://ia701207.us.archive.org/28/items/GlanceAtThePast-EagleHotel/Glance_episode125_Feb8-12_eagleHotel.mp3 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 129 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Eagle Hotel; fire; William Godfroy Pioneer Travels GRHC John Almy and his wife came to the village of Grand Rapids in 1835. Mrs. Almy kept an account of their difficult journey in her diary.   http://ia701204.us.archive.org/26/items/GlanceAtThePast-PioneerTravels/Glance_episode124_feb1-5_pioneerTravels.mp3 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 118 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history, pioneer; John Almy City Hall GRHC It took many years for Grand Rapids to acquire a suitable City Hall.   http://ia600801.us.archive.org/10/items/GlanceAtThePast-CityHall1888/Glance_episode122_jan25-29_cityHall1888.mp3 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 133 Glance at the Past; radio; Grand Rapids; Michigan; City Hall; history; Historical Commission; WYCE; Elijah E. Meyers Little Italy GRHC G. B. Russo, who came to Grand Rapids from Sicily, was one of the early residents of the area around South Division and Franklin known as Little Italy when he opened his Italian grocery store on South Division.   http://ia701200.us.archive.org/21/items/GlanceAtThePast-LittleItaly/Glance_episode123_jan_18-22_littleItaly.mp3 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 135 Glance at the Past; WYCE; radio; history; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; G.B. Russo; Little Italy; Sicily; GR Civic Theater GRHC Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has a long history in Grand Rapids, and its actors trod the boards in old Germania Hall during their early days.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-GrandRapidsCivicTheatre/Glance_jan11-15_episode121_civicTheatre.mp3 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 120 Glance at the Past, Civic Theater, stage, plays, Germania Hall, acting, radio, history, Grand Rapids, historical commission The Plank Road GRHC Plank roads evoke the mystique of days gone by, but those old wooden planks held little charm for travelers.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-PlankRoad/Glance_episode120_jan4-8_oldPlankRoad.mp3 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 138 Glance at the Past, plank road, Kalamazoo, transportation, roads, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Fredrik Meijer GRHC Fred Meijer (December 7, 1919 - November 25, 2011) was an innovative businessman willing to take risks that changed the way people shop in Grand Rapids.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-FredrikMeijer/Glance_dec28-jan1_episode118_fredMeijer.mp3 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 120 Glance at the Past, Fredric Meijer, grocery, retail, radio, history, Grand Rapids, historical commission Christmas 1935 GRHC For months in 1935, during the Depression, the news that General Motors would open a new plant in Grand Rapids was kept secret under penalty that the project would be cancelled if news was leaked. Finally, announced in December, it was GM's Christmas present to the city.   http://ia701200.us.archive.org/18/items/GlanceAtThePast-Christmas1935/Glance_episode118_dec21-25_christmas1935.mp3 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 135 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; General Motors; Christmas; 1935; John R. Cassleman Horse Tales GRHC Horses and other quadrupeds sometimes had difficulty coping with the uncertainties and complexities of urban life.   http://ia601201.us.archive.org/27/items/GlanceAtThePast-HorseTales/Glance_episode127_horseTales.mp3 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 116 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; horses; Martin Sweet; Michigan Trust Building Ride the Greyhounds GRHC In August of 1924, four new Fageol Safety Coaches premium passenger buses were added to the Grand Rapids Greyhound fleet, offering daily service.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-RideTheGreyhounds/Glance_nov_9-13_episode112_greyhoundBus.mp3 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 136 Glance at the Past, history, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast, Greyhound Bus, Fageol, buses, bus, bus station, ride Aldermen and the Bear GRHC A new den for the John Ball Park bear, completed in November of 1895, was celebrated by citizens who had been invited to the park by the bear and the city aldermen to view the bear in his cozy new home.   http://ia701207.us.archive.org/16/items/GlanceAtThePast-AldermenAndTheBear/Glance_episode117_dec7-11_aldermanAndTheBear.mp3 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 120 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; John Ball Park; bear; Common Council; citizens Frozen Water Mains GRHC Bitter winter cold bedeviled Grand Rapids water workers, at great expense to customers.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-FrozenWaterMains/Glance_nov30-dec4_episode115_frozenWaterMains.mp3 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 106 Glance at the Past, history, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast, frozen water mains, pipes, winter, cold Turkey Day Football GRHC By 1900, high school football was firmly entrenched as a Grand Rapids Thanksgiving tradition.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TurkeyFootball/Glance_nov_23-27_episode114_turkeyFootball.mp3 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 120 Glance at the Past, history, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast, Thanksgiving, football, turkey, sports, high school Museum Whale GRHC The enormous 76 foot skeleton of a fin whale awed visitors to the former Public Museum on Jefferson Ave. When the current riverfront building opened, the fully restored "Monster of the Deep" again became a centerpiece of the Museum.   http://ia601202.us.archive.org/20/items/GlanceAtThePast-MuseumWhale/Glance_episode114_nov_16-20_museumWhale.mp3 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500 131 WYCE; radio; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission; history; Public Museum; fin whale; Halloween Mischief GRHC Boys will be boys!   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-HalloweenMischief/Glance_oct_26-30_episode110_halloweenMischief.mp3 Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 124 Glance at the Past, history, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast, Halloween, mischief Tourist Camp GRHC In 1931, Grand Rapids opened a tourist camp at North Park with Grand River frontage.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TouristCamp/Glance_oct_19-23_episode110_touristCamp.mp3 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 122 Glance at the Past, history, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast, tourist camp, Parking in the Air GRHC Grand Rapids was one of the first cities of its size to embrace the idea of parking -in the air! - with the addition of an 11-floor parking garage in 1926, complete with uniformed attendants, chauffeur service, oil change and more.     http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-ParkingInTheAir/Glance_oct_12-16_episode109_parkingInTheAir.mp3 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 120 Glance at the Past, parking garage, parking, radio; history, Grand Rapids, parking in the air, historical commission Conrad G. Swensberg GRHC In 1866, young Conrad Swensberg opened the Grand Rapids Business College & Telegraphic Institute, the ancestor of today's Davenport University.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-ConradSwensberg/Glance_oct5-9_episode108_conradSwensberg.mp3 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 130 Glance at the Past, history, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast, Conrad Swensberg, Davenport University, Grand Rapids Business College, The Post Office GRHC Grand Rapids' first post office was established in 1832 along the banks of the Grand River at Bridge Street. Post master Darius Windsor oversaw its growth under less-than-favorable conditions.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-PostOfice/Glance_sept28-oct2_episode107_postOffice.mp3 Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 130 Glance at the Past, history, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast, post office, post, mail, Madison Square GRHC The 40 acre development south of Hall St. and between Jefferson and Madison Avenues became a commercial hub at the turn of the 20th Century.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-MadisonSquare/Glance_sept_21-25_episode106_madisonSquare.mp3 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 124 Glance at the Past, history, Madison Square, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Corner Drug Store GRHC Remembering the bygone days of a favorite community landmark: the corner drug store.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-CornerDrug/Glance_sep_14_episode105_cornerDrug.mp3 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 120 Glance at the Past, history, drug store, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast The Human Fly GRHC In 1916, Harry H. Gardner "The Human Fly" caused a stir in Grand Rapids with his death-defying feats.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TheHumanFly/Glance_episode104_sep7-11_humanFly.mp3 Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 135 Glance at the Past, history, Harry Gardner, Human Fly, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Wildcats & Honest Bankers GRHC Wildcat bankers and failed banks made for shaky finances for 19th century Grand Rapids citizens.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-Wildcats/Glance_episode103_aug31-sep4_wildcats.mp3 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 123 Glance at the Past, history, wildcat banks, bankers, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Newspaper Artist GRHC Grand Rapids artist Gert VanHouten became a well known WWI cartoonist publishing under the byline 'GERT'.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-NewspaperArtistGert/Glance_episode102_aug24-28_gert.mp3 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 126 Glance at the Past, history, cartoonist, WWI, Gert VanHouten , WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Before the Movies GRHC Before the movies, many Grand Rapids residents got their entertainment at the vaudeville theatre "The Empress", an early burlesque locale.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-BeforeTheMovies/Glance_episode101_aug17-21_beforeTheMovies.mp3 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 132 Glance at the Past, history, Movies, Empress, vaudeville, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Mr. Rover GRHC A 1907 postcard series published in Grand Rapids, MI by the Reed Tandler Company featured Harry H. Wickham aka "Mr. Rover", a fellow who perhaps took his title too literally.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-Mr.Rover/Glance_episode100_aug10-14_mrRover.mp3 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 129 Glance at the Past, history, Mr. Rover, Harry Wykom, postcards, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast St. Andrews School GRHC Grand Rapids first Catholic school opened in 1853, educating area students for 137 years.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-St.AndrewsSchool/Glance_episode_99_aug_7_stAndrewsSchool.mp3 Sun, 07 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 133 Glance at the Past, history, St. Andrews School, Catholic, school, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Prohibition GRHC Michigan followed Maine's idea for prohibition in 1853, but, it was found impossible to do enforce this ideal in Grand Rapids. By 1870, Grand Rapids housed 58 saloons and five breweries. Women's organizations for prohibition, were an understated part of keeping alcohol out of Michigan. Under the leadership of Abigail Hastings of Lansing, she formed the Michigan Women's Christian Temperance Union to fight for the ban of alcohol.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-Prohibition/Glance_episode98_jul_27_prohibition.mp3 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 126 Glance at the Past, history, Prohibition, alcohol, Abigail Hastings, Michigan Women's Christian Temperance Union, bans, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Mr. Fox's Typewriter GRHC William R. Fox began the Fox Machine Company in 1885. It's principle products were machines for the wood working industry. Fox later collaborated with Glenn Barrett to create a typewriter. Every part of the machine was made in Grand Rapids. There were three types of typewriter: blind, visible, and portable size. Foreign sales were an important part of his income. The Russian government had at one time place an order for 500 machines. Fox was forced to close his doors in 1920 after being sued by the makers of the Corona for supposed patent infringement.    http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-Mr.FoxsTypewriter/Glance_july_20_episode97_mr.FoxsTypewriter.mp3 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 120 Glance at the Past, history, William R. Fox, typewriter, WYCE, Glenn Barrett, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Ashes to Masses GRHC In 1916, Mother Mary Elias and her Carmelite Sisters, were forced to flee the bloody Civil War happening in Mexico. After living in Havana, Cuba; New Orleans, Louisiana; and St. Louis, Missouri; Bishop Henry Joseph Richter invited Mother Mary Elias and her sisters to live in Grand Rapids. The Nuns enjoyed a simple life, spending most of the day in silence.    http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-AshesToMasses/Glance_july_17_episode96_ashesToMasses.mp3 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 120 Glance at the Past, history, Mother Mary Elias, Bishop Henry Joseph Richter, Carmelites, Nuns, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Taking the Train GRHC The Detroit, Grand Haven, and Milwaukee railroad provided the first rails to Grand Rapids, in 1858, and the only rails until 1869. After the Civil War, Grand Rapids was given a land grant to subsidize the construction of rails between Petoskey and Fort Wayne, Indiana. The rail between became known as the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad (GR&I). The Rails were demolished in 1961 to make way for US-131.    http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TakingTheTrain/Glance_jul_6_episode95_takingTheTrain.mp3 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 120 Glance at the Past, history, train, Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, WYCE, GR&I, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Radio Pioneers GRHC In 1922, Leo Robinson and Don Gildersleeve opened a radio supply store on Diamond Ave to bring, nearly non-existent, home radio to Grand Rapids. It took Robinson and Gildersleeve two years of hard work to create a radio station on par with other, larger cities. WEBK was formed in 1924 to broadcast shows from other cities. A year later, WEBK was on the air full time. In 1926, the WEBK call-letters were changed to WOOD.    http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-RadioPioneers/Glance_jul_3_episode94_radioPioneers.mp3 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 118 Glance at the Past, history, WEBK, WOOD, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Pottery Works GRHC John Lipczynski pioneered the field at his 19th Century landmark Pottery Works at Michigan and Eastern in Grand Rapids, MI.    http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-PotteryWorks/Glance_episode93_jun_22_potteryWorks.mp3 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 119 Glance at the Past, history, pottery, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Evening Press Building GRHC In 1906, Albert Kahn, Detroit's leading architect, was commissioned to design a new building for downtown Grand Rapids. He designed one of the most unique and artistic buildings solely for newspaper use, and it was meant to complement the Ryerson Public Library across Fulton St. Park.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-EveningPressBuilding/Glance_june_15_episode91_eveningPressBuilding.mp3 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 142 Glance at the Past, history, Evening Press Building, newspapers, Albert Kahn, Fulton St, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Our First Woman Doctor GRHC This episode of Glance at the Past shares the history of Grand Rapids first women doctors. Frances Armstrong Rutherford was the first to achieve "regular" medical training. She was the first in Grand Rapids and in the United States to be elected a City Physician.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-FirstWomanDoctor/Glance_episode91_june_11_1stWomanDoctor.mp3 Sat, 11 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 128 Glance at the Past, history, woman, doctor, physician, Frances Armstrong Rutherford, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Raising Canal Street GRHC In this episode of Glance at the Past, Grab Corners, now known as Campau Square, was the first S-Curve of Grand Rapids. A steep grade difference forced the Common Council to raise Canal Street four feet. A hotel downtown remained open while being raised to be level with the new street.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-RaisingCanalStreet/Glance_episode90_june_1_raisingCanalStreet.mp3 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 132 Glance at the Past, history, Canal Street, Sweet's Hotel, Truman Lyon, Common Council, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Bailey Springs GRHC Mr. Weston, a well digger, claimed a river ran under the city of Grand Rapids, It contained a stream of filtered water and surfaced at Bailey Springs, which could produce 5 million gallons of fresh water daily.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-BaileySprings/Glance_episode89_may_29_baileySprings.mp3 Sun, 29 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 119 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Fisk Lake, Bailey Springs, Mr. Weston, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Cable Cars GRHC Like the streets of San Fransisco, Grand Rapids invested time and money towards using cable cars, along with all ready established horse drawn street cars, to climb the steep streets of the city. Eventually cable and horse drawn cars were replaced with their electric counterparts.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-CableCars/Glance_episode88_may_22_cableCars.mp3 Sun, 22 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 126 Glance at the Past, history, radio, cable cars, Street Railway Company, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast The Garbage Burner GRHC This episode of Glance at the Past may not be for the faint of heart. It is about dogs, cats, and a crematorium.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-GarbageBurner/Glance_episode87_may_15_garbageBurner.mp3 Sun, 15 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 118 Glance at the Past, history, radio, garbage burner, crematorium, Grand Rapids Garbage Company, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Wealthy Theatre GRHC Wealthy Theater was first opened in 1911. It has seen it's share of ups and downs over the last 100 years. This episode of Glance at the Past takes you through it's history of closures, imminent demolition, and its glorious renovation and reopening in 1997.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-WealthyTheater/Glance_episode86_may_8_wealthyTheater.mp3 Sun, 08 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 136 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Wealthy Theatre, Oscar Varneau, Peter Wege, Southeast Economic Development, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Tower Lights GRHC In 1885, Grand Rapids installed 40 towers topped with arc lights, to the citizens eventual dismay. Cherry Street was one of the most traveled roads and was densely populated with enough trees to render the tower light there useless. 1898 saw many of the tower lights switched out with drop lights.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TowerLights/Glance_episode86_may_1_towerLights.mp3 Sun, 01 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 125 Glance at the Past, history, radio, tower lights, Cherry Street, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Apple Smorgasbord GRHC West of the Grand River was home of the Peach Ridge Growers Association formed in 1928. Farmers found the peachy soil to be just right for growing apples. The first apple smorgasbord was held in 1951 to build community through a growers picnic where attendees could enjoy apple fritters and apple butter.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-AppleSmorgasbord/Glance_episode85_apr_24_appleSmorgasbord.mp3 Sun, 24 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 131 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Apple Smorgasbord, apples, Peach Ridge Growers, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast City Under Glass GRHC In this episode of Glance at the Past, take a gander at Grand Rapids under glass: the beginnings of greenhouses and forced seed propagation. Eugene Davis was the father of forced lettuce. These seeds became the standard of lettuce throughout the nation's markets.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-CabbageUnderGlass/Glance_episode84_apr_17-cabbageUnderGlass.mp3 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 138 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Eugene Davis, lettuce under glass, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Television Arrives GRHC Leonard A Versluis puts WLAV-TV on the air as Grand Rapids' first television station.    http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TelevisionArrives/Glance_episode83_apr_10_televisionArrives.mp3 Sun, 10 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 126 Glance at the Past, history, WLAV_TV, Television, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Electric Light Baths GRHC In this episode of Glance at the Past, learn about the Electric Light Baths used to make people feel frisky and tan. John H. Kellogg first developed this idea to be used in his sanitarium.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-ElectricLightBaths/Glance_episode82_mar_30_electricLightBaths.mp3 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 134 Glance at the Past, history, radio, electric light baths, John H. Kellogg, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Deadly Diseases GRHC A brief history of the types of diseases and number of deaths, is told from Secretary Wilson's 1898 Board of Health report.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-DeadlyDiseases/Glance_episode81_mar_23_deadlyDiseases.mp3 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 143 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Secretary Wilson, deadly, diseases , Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Chinese Restaurants GRHC This episode shares the story of Chan Hoy and his quest to bring Chinese food to Grand Rapids for the first time ever in 1902.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-ChineseRestaurants/Glance_episode80_mar_20_chineseRestaurants.mp3 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400 125 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Chan Hoy, Chinese Food, restaurants, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Michigan Trust Building GRHC Located at the corner of Ottawa and Pearl, this building was the tallest in the city/state and the first in Grand Rapids to be solely used for offices. It was completed in 1892, in the style of H. H. Richardson.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-MichiganTrustBuilding/Glance_episode_79_mar_9_michiganTrustBuilding.mp3 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 137 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Michigan Trust Building, Henry Hobson Richardson, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast A Public Library GRHC 1904, the Ryerson Library opened to give Grand Rapidians a place for books. A renovation in 2003 made the Ryerson Library what it is today: the Grand Rapids Public Library.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-RyersonPublicLibrary/Glance_episode_78_mar_2_ryersonPublicLibrary.mp3 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 135 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Ryerson Public Library, Martin Ryerson, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Gypsum Mines GRHC Gypsum mines play a major role in Grand Rapids' early industry.    http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-GypsumMines/Glance_episode77_feb27_gypsumMines.mp3 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 128 Glance at the Past, history, gypsum, mines, plaster, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Martin Ryerson GRHC The story of Grand Rapids businessman and philanthropist Martin Ryerson.    http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-MartinRyerson/Glance_episode76_feb_20_martinRyerson.mp3 Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 143 Glance at the Past, history, Martin Ryerson, library, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast School Lunches GRHC Grand Rapids Central High School tries an experimental school lunch program in 1902.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-SchoolLunches/Glance_episode75_feb_13_schoolLunches.mp3 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 132 Glance at the Past, history, school lunch, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Saturday Night Blizzard GRHC It's been known to happen. It happened in Grand Rapids, MI, in January, 1898.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-SaturdayNightBlizzard/Glance_feb_2_episode74_saturdayNightBlizzard.mp3 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 128 Glance at the Past, history, radio, blizzard, January, 1898, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast City Horses GRHC This episode of Glance at the Past focuses on the role of horses in the city.       http://www.archive.org/download/Glance_jan26_cityHorses/Glance_jan26_episode73_cityHorses.mp3 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 129 Glance at the Past, history, radio, horses, Reeds Lake, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Grab Corners GRHC This episode shares the history of Compau Square, formerly known as Grab Corners.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-GrabCorners/Glance_episode72_grabCorners.mp3 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 123 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Grab Corners Campau Square, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Civic Auditorium GRHC Grand Rapids built its first public auditorium in 1933.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceOfThePast-CivicAuditorium/Glance_episode71_CivicAuditorium.mp3 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 142 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Civic Auditorium, Welsh Auditorium, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Gerald R. Ford GRHC A brief history about Grand Rapids' favorite son, Gerald R. Ford.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-GeraldR.Ford/Glance_episode70_geraldRFord.mp3 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500 126 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Gerald R. Ford, President, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast First Santa Claus Girl GRHC In 1908, Arianna VanDoorn founded the Santa Claus Girls to bring cheer to boys and girls who, unfortunately, would not be receiving gifts at Christmas time.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-SantaClausGirls/Glance_episode69_santaClausGirls.mp3 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500 135 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Santa Claus Girls, Christmas, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Maya Lin's Design GRHC Maya Lin designed the central gathering area in downtown Grand Rapids.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-MayaLin/Glance_episode68_mayaLin.mp3 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500 120 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Maya Lin, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Indian Mounds GRHC Grand Rapids original Indian Mounds have been replaced by reconstructions.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-IndianMounds/Glance_episode67_indianMounds.mp3 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500 125 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Indian Mounds, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast East Side Canal GRHC The East Side Power Canal was started in 1835 and completed in 1842.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-EastSideCanal/Glance_episode66_eastSideCanal_dec1_10.mp3 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500 130 Glance at the Past, history, radio, East Side Canal, Lucius Lyon, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Thanksgiving 1910 GRHC Looking back 100 years at the holiday tradition.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-Thanksgiving1910/Glance_episode65_thanksgiving1910_nov24_10.mp3 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 139 Glance at the Past, history, radio, Thanksgiving, 1910, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast The Fire Bell GRHC The history of the landmark fire bell that called Grand Rapids' first volunteer fire department.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TheFireBell/Glance_nov_17_fireBell.mp3 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 126 Glance at the Past, history, radio, WYCE, fire, bell, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Our Cultural Historian GRHC Constance Mayfield Rourke - (November 14, 1885- March 29, 1941) - cultural historian and author of 7 books, including 'American Humor: A Study of the American Character', made Grand Rapids her home between 1915-1941.    http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-ConstanceMayfieldRourke/Glance_episode62_constanceMayfieldRourk_nov3_10.mp3 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400 146 Glance at the Past, history, Constance Rourke, cultural philosopher, American Humor, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, radio, Podcast Brickmakers GRHC Solomon Withey and his son Orison experiment with the local materials in creating the city's first brick.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-Brickmakers/GLANCE_OCT_27_Brickmakers.mp3 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 122 Glance at the Past, history, radio, brickmakers, brick, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Grand Rapids in 1865 GRHC Newspaperman Arthur S. White reflects on his first impressions of Grand Rapids.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-GrandRapidsIn1865/Glance_oct_20_grandRapids1865.mp3 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 132 Glance at the Past, history, radio, WYCE, 1865, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Wild Animals GRHC The wild side of early Grand Rapids life.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-WildAnimals/Glance_oct_13_wildAnimals.mp3 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 120 Glance at the Past, history, radio, wildlife, wolf, bear, wolves, pig, animals, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Pioneer Doctor GRHC The trials of Grand Rapids' early medical practitioners.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-PioneerDoctor/Glance_oct_6_pioneerDoctor.mp3 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 127 Glance at the Past, history, doctor, health radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast GR Public Museum GRHC Glance at the Past examines the genesis of our GR Public Museum and an early patron, George Wickwire Smith.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-GrandRapidsPublicMuseum/Glance_sep_29_ourPublicMuseum.mp3 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400 128 Glance at the Past, history, radio, museum, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Early Artists GRHC Information on the first two professional artists in Grand Rapids history: Marinus Harting (born 1815) and A.J. Conant       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-EarlyArtists/Glance_sep_22_earlyArtistsartprize.mp3 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400 134 Glance at the Past, history, art, artists, Marinus Harting, Conant, painting, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast The Soccer League GRHC Soccer is nothing new in Grand Rapids high schools, as Glance at the Past reports.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-Soccer/GLANCE_SEP_8_Soccer.mp3 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400 125 Glance at the Past, history, soccer, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Financial Crisis GRHC Economic collapse hits Grand Rapids in 1933.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-FinancialCrisis/Glance_sep_1_financialCrisis.mp3 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400 132 Glance at the Past, history, financial crisis, bank, Great Depression, economy, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Grand River Times GRHC George Pattison founded the Grand River Times in 1837.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-GrandRiverTimes/Glance_aug_23_grandRiverTimes.mp3 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 132 Glance at the Past, history, Grand River Times, newpapers, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Grand Rapids Cigars GRHC At the turn of the 20th Century, cigar smoking far surpassed all other forms of tobacco among Grand Rapidians.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-Cigars/GLANCE_Aug_18_Cigars.mp3 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 136 Glance at the Past, history, cigars, smoking radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Public Markets GRHC The first public farmers' markets come to Grand Rapids, including our great Fulton Street location.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-PublicMarkets/Glance_aug_11_publicMarkets.mp3 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 138 Glance at the Past, history, market, Fulton Street, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Landscapers GRHC The influence of Paul Goebel, Sr., landscape designer, and sons       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TheLandscapers/GLANCE_AUG_4_Landscapers.mp3 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 135 Glance at the Past, history, landscape, landscapers, Goebel, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Women in Office GRHC The stories of two early Grand Rapids women politicians: Harriet Cook and Alde L. T. Blake.      http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-WomenInOffice/Glance_july_28_womenInOffice.mp3 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 140 Glance at the Past, history, politics, Cook, Blake, Harriet, Alde, office, voting, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast James Moran GRHC James Moran (1832-1886), first Grand Rapids, Michigan, chief of police       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-JamesMoran/Glance_july_20_jamesMoran.mp3 Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 127 Glance at the Past, history, James Moran, police, chief, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Firebugs GRHC Two notorious arsonists exacerbate Grand Rapids' fire problem.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-Firebugs/GLANCE_July_13_Firebugs.mp3 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 130 Glance at the Past, history, fire, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Bridge Banquet GRHC Civil War soldiers are greeted with a lavish banquet upon their return to Grand Rapids.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-BridgeBanquet/Glance_july_7_bridgeBanquet.mp3 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 125 Glance at the Past, history, Civil War, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Laying the Cornerstone GRHC A celebrity guest attends the laying of the Federal Building cornerstone.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-FederalBuildingCornerstone/GLANCE_JUN_30_Fed_Building_Cornerstone.mp3 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 129 Glance at the Past, history, Alice Roosevelt, Federal Building, cornerstone, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Fulton St. Cemetery GRHC The history of Grand Rapids' early burial plot.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-FultonStreetCemetery-Revised/FultonCemetery-Edited.mp3 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 136 Glance at the Past, history, Fulton St., cemetery, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Albert Baxter GRHC (1823-1905) The father of Grand Rapids history, in his own words.       http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-AlbertBaxter/Glance_jun_16_albertBaxter.mp3 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 141 Glance at the Past, history, Albert Baxter, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast La Grande Vitesse GRHC As Festival of the Arts returns to Grand Rapids, enjoy the story of our downtown landmark. http://ia600806.us.archive.org/15/items/GlanceAtThePast-LaGrandeVitesse/Glance_jun_2_laGrandeVitesse.mp3 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 125 Glance at the Past; history; La Grande Vitesse; Alexander Calder; Gerald Ford; WYCE; Grand Rapids; Historical Commission Early Brewers GRHC John Pannel and Christoph Kusterer tap Grand Rapids' first kegs.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-EarlyBrewers/Glance_may_26_earlyBrewers.mp3 Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 130 Glance at the Past, history, beer, brewing, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Dr. Robert W. Claytor GRHC Dr. Robert W. Claytor (1897 -1989), co-founder of the Urban League and pillar of our African-American community.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-Dr.RobertW.Claytor/GLANCE_MAY_19_Dr_Claytor.mp3 Wed, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 130 Glance at the Past, history, Dr., Claytor, doctor, Urban League, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Early Policemen GRHC Glance at the Past makes the case for the creation of the GRPD.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-EarlyPolicemen/Glance_may_12_earlyPolicemen.mp3 Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 131 Glance at the Past, history, police, James Moran, GRPD, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Parks and Playgrounds GRHC Glance at the Past shares the story of the Playground Association of Grand Rapids.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-ParksAndPlaygrounds/GLANCE_MAY_5_Parks_Playgrounds.mp3 Wed, 05 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 141 Glance at the Past, history, park, playgrounds, playground association, Charles Zublin, Charles Garfield, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Chinese Laundrymen GRHC Glance at the Past tells of the primary occupation of Grand Rapids' early Chinese population.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-ChineseLaundrymen/Glance_apr_27_chineseLaundrymen.mp3 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400 139 Glance at the Past, census, history, Chinese, China, New Year, laundry, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Regent Theater GRHC Glance at the Past celebrates the history of a prominent local landmark, the Regent Theatre.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-RegentTheatre/Glance_Apr_21_regentTheatre.mp3 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400 128 Glance at the Past, history, Regent, theater, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast 1910 Census GRHC On it's 100th anniversary, the story of the 1910 population and agricultural census.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-1910Census/Glance_apr_14-1910census.mp3 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400 147 Glance at the Past, census, population, 1910, agriculture, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Dolores Hruby GRHC Glance at the Past celebrates Women's History Month with the story of Dolores Hruby, composer of sacred music   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-DoloresHruby/Glance_03_31_2010_doloresHruby.mp3 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400 146 Glance at the Past, Women's history, radio, Dolores Hruby, music, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission,Podcast Grand Rapids Chicks GRHC Glance at the Past celebrates Women's History Month with the colorful history of the GR baseball Chicks.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-GrChicks/Glance_mar_24_grChicks.mp3 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400 139 Glance at the Past, Women's history, baseball, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission,Podcast Hattie Beverly GRHC Glance at the Past celebrates Women's History Month. Today, meet Grand Rapids' first African-American teacher.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-HattieBeverly/Glance_mar_17_hattieBeverly.mp3 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400 146 Glance at the Past, teacher, Hattie Beverly, school, public, African-American, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission,Podcast Mabel Balyeat GRHC Glance at the Past celebrates Women's History Month. Today, we meet groundbreaking librarian Mabel Balyeat.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-MabelBalyeat/Glance_mar_10_mabelBalyeat.mp3 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 158 Glance at the Past, library, KDL, Kent, Mabel Balyeat, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Madeline La Framboise GRHC Glance at the Past celebrates Women's History Month. Today, a focus on an early Grand Rapids fur trader.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-LaFramboise/Glance_Mar_3_madeleineLaFramboise.mp3 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 146 Glance at the Past, La Framboise, trapping, trapper, fur, trade, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Early Photographers GRHC Glance at the Past shares notes on the roots of photography in Grand Rapids.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-EarlyPhotographers/Glance_feb_24_earlyPhotographers.mp3 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 141 Glance at the Past, photo, photography, photographer, history, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Filling Stations GRHC Glance at the Past turns an eye to the early days of transportation.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-FillingStation/Glance_feb17_fillingStation.mp3 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 139 Glance at the Past, filling stations, gas, car, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission,Podcast The Land Office GRHC The land rush is on! Glance at the Past tells of West Michigan's first claim office.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TheLandOffice/Glance_feb10_theLandOffice.mp3 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 139 Glance at the Past, land, deeds, history, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast Daniel W. Coit GRHC Today's Glance at the Past introduces an early Grand Rapids land owner, Daniel W. Coit.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-DanielW.Coit/GLANCE_FEB_3_COIT.mp3 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 136 Glance at the Past, land, Daniel Coit, settler, history, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission, Podcast The Piggeries GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present the local history radio project, "Glance at the Past". Piggeries v. Landfills   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-ThePiggeries/GLANCE_JAN_27_Piggeries_vbr.mp3 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:00:00 -0500 129 Glance at the Past, pigs, piggeries, landfill, trash, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Stagecoaches GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present the local history radio project, "Glance at the Past". Today, some tales of the early transportation.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-GrandRapidsStagecoaches/Glance_jan_20_grStagecoaches_vbr.mp3 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500 128 Glance at the Past, stagecoach, stagecoaches, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Burst Reservoir GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present the local history radio project, "Glance at the Past". This is the story of the reservoir break and the heroic newsboy who saved the day.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-BurstReservoir/Glance_jan_13_burstReservoir_vbr.mp3 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:00:00 -0500 137 Glance at the Past, disaster, reservoir, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Naming Streets GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present the local history radio project, "Glance at the Past". Today, the scoop on Grand Rapids streets.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-NamingTheStreets/Glance_jan_6_namingTheStreets_vbr.mp3 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500 142 Glance at the Past, streets, Butterworth, Cherry, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission The Telephone GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present the local history radio project, "Glance at the Past". Today, the telephone makes a house call to Grand Rapids.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TheTelephone/Glance_dec_30_theTelephone_vbr.mp3 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500 139 Glance at the Past, streets, telephone, phone, Bell, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission The Hard Winter GRHC Glance at the Past, a local history radio project presented by the Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center. Today, the desperate tale of the Winter of 1842-43.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TheHardWinter2/Glance_dec_23_theHardWinter.mp3 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500 143 Glance at the Past, snow, winter, cold, history, 1842, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Grand River Islands GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present "Glance at the Past".  Did you know that in Grand Rapids' early days the Grand River was home to several islands?   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceDec16GrandRiverIslands/Glance_dec_16_grandRiverIslands_vbr.mp3 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500 126 Glance at the Past, Grand River, islands, history, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Burton Farm GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present "Glance at the Past". This episode shares the history of Burton Farm.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceDec9BurtonFarm/Glance_dec_9_burtonFarm_vbr.mp3 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500 138 Glance at the Past, farm, history, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission The First Bridge GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present the local history radio project, "Glance at the Past". Today, it's the story of the Bridge Street Bridge, Grand Rapids' first.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TheFirstBridgemp3/Glance_dec_2_theFirstBridge.mp3 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500 131 Glance at the Past, bridge, history, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Richmond Park Pool GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present "Glance at the Past". Today, the squeaky clean history of the west side's first public pool.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-RichmondParkPool/Glance_nov_25_richmondParkPool_vbr.mp3 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 129 Glance at the Past, Richmond Park Pool, West Side, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Going to the Gym GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present "Glance at the Past". Today, the ladies get in motion.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-GoingToTheGym/GLANCE_NOV_18_WOMENS_GYM.mp3 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 136 Glance at the Past, YWCA, women, gym, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission The Big Ditch GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present "Glance at the Past". Today, it's a not-so-pretty side of GR's past.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TheBigDitch/Glance_nov_11_bigDitch_vbr.mp3 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 137 Glance at the Past, big ditch, sanitation, west side, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Water Power GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present "Glance at the Past". Today we learn of GR's first night of electric light.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-WaterPower/Glance_oct_28_waterPower_vbr.mp3 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400 125 Glance at the Past, water power, electricity, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Schoolhouse Fire GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present "Glance at the Past". Today's episode tells of the disasterous 1849 fire at the 1st School District schoolhouse.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-SchoolHouseFire/Glance_oct21_schoolHouseFire_vbr.mp3 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400 136 Glance at the Past, school, fire, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Wealthy St. Bridge GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present Glance at the Past. This week's episode focuses on the FIRST Wealthy Street Bridge.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-WealthyStreetBridge/Glance-Oct14-WealthyStBrdge.mp3 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400 128 Glance at the Past, Wealthy Street bridge, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Etta Smith Wilson GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present Glance at the Past. This week's episode tells of Etta Smith Wilson, Grand Rapids' first woman reporter.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-EttaSmithWilson/Glance1stWomanReporter.mp3 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400 122 Glance at the Past, Etta Smith Wilson, woman reporter, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Prospect Hill GRHC This week on Glance at the Past, we examine a lost feature of the Grand Rapids landscape. This program is a collaboration between the Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-ProspectHill/Glance-Sep30-ProspectHill.mp3 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 129 Glance at the Past, Prospect Hill, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Riverboats GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present "Glance at the Past", a local history radio project. This week's episode tells of twin riverboats that cruised the Grand River at the turn of the century.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TheRiverboats/Glance-TheRiverboats_sep_23.mp3 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 129 Glance at the Past, riverboats, Grand River, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Logjam GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present Glance at the Past, a local history radio project. This week's episode tells of a nearly catastrophic logging incident!   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-LogJam/Episode5-Sept16-LogJam.mp3 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 142 Glance at the Past, logjam, Grand River, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Mug Book GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present Glance at the Past, a local history radio project. This week's episode tells of a artifact rescued from the old Grand Rapids Police Department.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-MugBook/Episode4-Sept09-MugBook.mp3 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 142 Glance at the Past, mug book, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Streetcars GRHC "Glance at the Past" is a collaboration between the Community Media Center and the Grand Rapids Historical Commission. Today's episode tells of Grand Rapids as a national leader in streetcar transportation.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-StreetCars/Episode3-Sept02-Streetcars.mp3 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 126 Glance at the Past, streetcars, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission Streetlights GRHC Grand Rapids Historical Commission and the Community Media Center present Glance at the Past a local history radio project. This week's episode focuses on GR's first streetlights and the city's first official lamplighter Henry Baker.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-Streetlights/Episode2-Streetlights_vbr.mp3 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 122 Glance at the Past, streetlights, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission The Smoke Inspector GRHC The first episode of the collaboration between the Community Media Center and the Grand Rapids Historical Commission focuses on the GR's first 'Smoke Inspector' Louis C. Towner.   http://www.archive.org/download/GlanceAtThePast-TheSmokeInspector/Episode1-TheSmokeInspector.mp3 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 120 Glance at the Past, smoke inspector, pollution, Towner, radio, WYCE, Grand Rapids, Historical Commission