List of HSGL Summer Walking Tours – 2011 to 2023 (HSGL-Historical Society of Greater Lansing, in Michigan) There has been rain a couple of times, but not had any cancellations because of the weather yet. Some were technically not in the Summer, but included anyway. Compiled by me, Timothy Bowman.
2. Behind the Facades (and Annual Meeting) [South Washington Square] = Saturday. June 16, 2012
3. (#1) = Lost Lansing = Saturday, June 15, 2013 4. (#2) = Church & State = Saturday, July 20, 2013 5. (#3) = Old Town (before JazzFest) = Saturday, August 3, 2013 6. (#4) = Behind the Facades [South Washington Square] = Saturday, August 17, 2013 7. (#5) = 2nd Old Town (before BluesFest) = Saturday, September 21, 2013
8. (#1) = Behind the Facades, North = Saturday, June 14, 2014 9. (#2) = Downtown Disasters = Thursday, June 26, 2014 10. (#3) = Behind the Facades, South = Saturday, June 28, 2014 11. (#4) = Reo Town = Saturday, July 12, 2014 12. (#5) = Downtown Alleyways = Thursday, July 24, 2014 13. (#6) = Lost Lansing = Saturday, July 26, 2014 14. (#7) = Ladies of Lansing = Saturday, August 9, 2014 15. (#8) = Church & State = Saturday, August 23, 2014 16. (#9) = Old Town (before BluesFest) = Saturday, September 20, 2014
17. (#1) = A History of Lansing Community College = Saturday, June 6, 2015 18. (#2) = Growing Eastward on Michigan Ave. = Thursday, June 18, 2015 19. (#3) = Historic Homes in the Heart of Downtown = Thursday, July 9, 2015 20. (#4) = Downtown Lansing’s Favorite Old Restaurants = Saturday, July 25, 2015 21. (#5) = Lansing’s African-American West Side = Thursday, August 6, 2015 22. (#6) = MSU’s Historic West Circle Drive = Saturday, August 22, 2015 23. (#7) = Historic Eaton County Courthouse = Thursday, September 3, 2015 24. (#8) = Historic Ingham County Courthouse = Thursday, September 17, 2015
25. (#1) = Historic Reo Town = Saturday, June 18, 2016 26. (#2) = North Washington Ave. = Thursday, July 14, 2016 27. (#3) = Lansing’s Oak Park Neighborhood = Saturday, July 23, 2016 28. (#4) = Moores River Drive Architectural = Thursday, August 4, 2016 29. (#5) = MSU Sports Complex’s = Saturday, August 20, 2016
30. (#1) = Photographers of Downtown Lansing = Thursday, June 15, 2017 31. (#2) = Lansing’s Westside Neighborhood = Thursday, June 22, 2017 32. (#3) = Cherry Hill Neighborhood – A Forgotten Neighborhood = Thursday, July 13, 2017 33. (#4) = Capitol Car City – Downtown Lansing = Saturday, July 29, 2017 34. (#5) = Old East Campus – MSU = Saturday, August 19, 2017 35. (#6) = Beal Botanical Garden – A Historical Perspective = Thursday, August 24, 2017
36. (#1) = Germantown (near LCC) = Thursday, May 17, 2018 37. (#2) = Cherry Hill II = Thursday, June 14, 2018 38. (#3) = Michigan Ave. East Side (2000 block) = Saturday, July 14, 2018 39. (#4) = South Capitol Ave. = Saturday, July 28, 2018 40. (#5) = West Side Neighborhood II = Thursday, August 9, 2018 41. (#6) = Moores Park Neighborhood = Saturday, August 25, 2018
42. (#1) = Downtown Lansing (south downtown) = Wednesday, May 1, 2019 43. (#2) = MSU’s Sorority Row = Thursday, June 27, 2019 44. (#3) = Downtown Historic Churches = Saturday, July 27, 2019 45. (#4) = West Side African American Homes = Thursday, August 22, 2019
None in 2020 because of the Covid Pandemic.
46. (#1) = Historic Sycamore Street (Genesee Neighborhood) = Wednesday, August 18, 2021 47. (#2) = Lansing’s Back Alleys (downtown) = Wednesday, September 8, 2021
48. (#1) = Moores River Drive Historical (near Lansing Country Club) = Thursday, June 23, 2022 49. (#2) = North Washington and North Capitol (near Elderly Instruments) = Thursday, June 30, 2022 50. (#3) = Harry’s Bar & Durant Motors Centennial = Saturday, July 30, 2022 51. (#4) = Michigan Avenue and Museum Drive = Saturday, October 22, 2022
52. (#1) = Michigan School for the Blind & Female College = Thursday, May 18, 2023 53. (#2) = MSU’s “Sacred Places” (Beaumont Tower and NW part of campus) = Saturday, June 10, 2023 54. (#3) = MSU’s Beal Botanical Garden = Saturday, July 15, 2023 55. (#4) = Reo Town Walking Tour I = Saturday, August 12, 2023 56. (#5) = Reo Town Walking Tour II = Saturday, September 23, 2023
2024 – Coming Soon.
HSGL 2017 Summer Walking Tours Snapshots Collage-Lansing, MI
They were a series of videos about Lansing and it’s history featuring guest speakers on a monthly basis. All were filmed at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center in Lansing, Michigan. Taped from 1998 to 2004 and vary in length from 20 to 70 minutes. Most introduced by Elizabeth A. “Liz” Homer, then curator of the Turner-Dodge House museum. These videos were converted and posted on YouTube with these notes on May 10, 2017 by CADL Local History. List compiled and put in chronological order in June 2023 by Timothy Bowman. I don’t know anything more about the programs, just putting them on my blog here to make it easier for people to find and for research purposes.
The Turner-Dodge House (MYC40a) May/June 1998: Geneva Kebler Wiskemann talks about the history of the Turner-Dodge House, now the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/aG3BB2r-SmQ?t=01
The Founding of Lansing (MYC40b) May/June 1998: Linda Peckham talks about the very earliest days in the history of Lansing when white settlers came, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/2K0I7BOz6Yo?t=04
Turner-Dodge Family Research (MYC4) August 3, 1998: Jackie Sewell presents the findings of her research on the history of the Turner and Dodge families, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/gRBlxVsu43Y
The Century Turns: Lansing in 1899 (MYC25) November 1998: Geneva Kebler Wiskemann talks about how life was in Lansing around the turn of the century in 1899, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5sPcUtzdYI&t=2s
Holiday Traditions (MYC30) December 1998: George Graff discusses nostalgic holiday traditions at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/8RDjHZTJj5A
Early Turner Family History (MYC14) January 4, 1999: Jackie Sewell talks about the origins and early history of the Turner family, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h25CqaqruLE&t=1s
R. E. Olds in Lansing (MYC26) February, 1999: Guest speaker Helen Jones Earley of the Oldsmobile History Center shares stories from the life of Lansing automotive pioneer R. E. Olds at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/ChrwW1HvQq4?t=4
Before Lansing (MYC31) March 1999: Historical Society of Greater Lansing President Linda Peckham talks about the history of the area before the city of Lansing was established, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDJcXj_Iwnk&t=2s
Michigan Political History (MYC34) April 1999: Jerry Roe gives an overview of the history of politics in Michigan, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/u1TmRC44cMM
Lansing Politics (MYC15) April 1999: Jerry Roe talks about the legacy of politics in the city of Lansing, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FOhQKMuubk&t=1s
The Rehabilitation of Barns, Part 1 (MYC13a) October 4, 1999: William Kimball talks about the rehabilitation of barns in Michigan, a presentation he developed as part of a Michigan Council for the Humanities grant. The program took place at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. A short presentation that followed about the move of a barn from Frankenmuth to Stoll Road in north Lansing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KMjGQH76b4&t=1s Part 2 (MYC13b): https://youtu.be/hDwxFK2RZG4
The Naming of Lansing (MYC10) December 1999: Jerry Lawler speaks about the naming of Michigan’s new capital city, Lansing, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mm6v-fpKpo&t=1s
A Report of Microanalysis (MYC8) January 3, 2000: Architectural conservator Ron Koenig speaks about the process of conducting a microanalysis of the first floor of the Turner-Dodge house, including his findings on the history of paints, papers, and other materials used in construction and decoration of the home. This video was recorded with a hand-held camera. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRPpd1ee6qA&t=1s
J. E. Warner Circus (MYC9) February 2000: Jim Fry speaks about his ancestor J. E. Warner, who was well known regionally for his traveling circus in the 19th century, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN_aeQQoCo8&t=3s
Moving the Capital (MYC11) March 6, 2000: Jerry Lawler talks about the relocation of the state capital of Michigan to Lansing in the 19th century, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/MTJUSeFDUMs
Durant Park (MYC28) April 4, 2000: Joan Sheldon talks about the origins of the Durant Park in Lansing, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/gWatMArdKvU
Know Your Neighbors: Historic Cities, Towns, and Villages of Mid-Michigan (MYC27) May 2000: George Graff speaks about the cities, towns, and villages that have come to be in Mid-Michigan, and the ones that didn’t last, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/2FxOki1FQzo
The Story of North Lansing (MYC45) June 5, 2000: Robert Morris shares stories and history of North Lansing, now known as Old Town, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnlpCwq3f28&t=15s
If Trees Could Talk (MYC36) August 7, 2000: City foresters Dominic Fucciola and Irene McDonnell Cahill talk about the early parks of Lansing, history of forestry in the city, and some of their contemporary work, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/jBcpwM9G9J0?t=1
Amanda Barnes (MYC24) October 2000: Patricia Heyden shares a biography of Amanda Fleming Barnes, a leader among women in early Lansing, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/zfsCMCDTVgU
A Holiday Walk Through Lansing with Santa Advertisements (MYC17) December 4, 2000: Guest speaker Val Berryman, MSU Museum curator, takes participants on a nostalgic walk through Lansing during Christmas, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/mF-pmE8jhWU
Lansing Aviation History (MYC39) February 7, 2001: Craig Whitford presents a look at the history of aviation in Lansing, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/nRvNDfVGo10?t=2
Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery (MYC43) March 2001: Jerry Roe tells the story of Lewis and Clark’s expedition at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/tXeuN2F5a6w?t=6
Sarah VanDervort Emery (MYC44) April 2001: Patricia Heyden shares a biography of economist, suffragist, and author Sarah VanDervort Emery, with a focus on 19th Century currency and banking scandals, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/nOZ5JLVku88
Monuments, Markers, and Works of Art (MYC41) May 2001: George Graff speaks about landmarks in the Lansing area such as sculpture, cemetery markers, and historic monuments, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/-bFojL6Sg2k?t=5
The Michigan Polar Bears (MYC38a) June 2, 2001: Rick Jones talks about the Michigan members of the Polar Bear Expedition – a group of about 5,000 U. S. Army troups who were sent to Russia in 1918-1919 – at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/p4L_ULASC1c and (MYC38b): https://youtu.be/mCuUgnV7awc
Summer at Idlewild (MYC1) July 2, 2001: Retired LCC geography professor Morris Thomas talks about the history of the African-American resort community of Idlewild, Michigan (in Lake County), its connections to Lansing, and his personal memories, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/_ayaVysPs38?t=3
The Street Trees of Lansing (MYC42) August [2001?]: Guest speaker Irene McDonnell Cahill, City of Lansing Chief Forester, talks about the trees in public areas throughout the city, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. This video does not contain opening or end credits. https://youtu.be/UQSpa3xUimM?t=6
The Grand River (MYC7) October 1, 2001: Jerry Lawler talks about the early days of exploration, life, and activities along the Grand River in Michigan, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/mBRrF5qZQX8
Beal Garden History (MYC37) March 2002: MSU professor and garden curator Frank Telewski tells the story of the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden on the Michigan State University campus, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/9sBsfXeOFIE
Marion and James Turner: The Pioneer Years (MYC3) May 6, 2002: Curator Elizabeth Homer talks about the early life of Lansing pioneers Marion and James Turner, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/kNnKg7keIhE
North Lansing (MYC20) June 1, 2002: Robert Morris shares stories about the settlement and changes over time to “North Town,” the village also known as North Lansing or Old Town, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/A_CnT6_6NIQ?t=7
Let’s Go to the Fair (MYC21) June 3, 2002: Guest speaker Julie Avery of the MSU Museum talks about the history of county and state fairs at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/0-LsN-AzXsM?t=2
Downtown Lansing Buildings (MYC2) August 5, 2002: Impression Five museum director Ellen Sprouls talks about the historic buildings of downtown Lansing, with a focus on sculptural details, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/scCHJONsNmE
Christmas Past (MYC12) December 2, 2002: Guest speaker Val Berryman, MSU Museum curator, talks about the history of Christmas with a special emphasis on the character of Santa Claus, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/9TakIeNrJio?t=1
The Turners in the Mid-1800s (MYC6) November 2002: Curator Elizabeth Homer talks about the activities and life of the Turner family in Lansing in the mid-1800s, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/dkFf0uI-ZgI?t=4
The Artistry of Charles Mead (MYC35) January 2, 2003: Historical Society of Greater Lansing and Ingham County Historical Commission president Craig Whitford talks about the artwork of Charles Mead, a member of the Mead family of early settlers and an illustrator of many early scenes of Lansing, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/QzZ1z5cy3-I?t=3
North Lansing Memories (MYC5) March 6, 2003: Guest speaker Carmen Benavides, long-time resident of North Lansing, member of the Hispanic community, and retired Lansing School District principal, talks about her life experiences at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/9mITBtzsMjk
Memories of the ’50s and ’60s in Lansing (MYC32) April 2003: Olivia Letts shares her memories of Lansing in the 1950s and 1960s, with special focus on her role as a leader in the Lansing School District and the local African-American community, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/XQhwED1R28I?t=1
Lansing’s Parks and Recreation Department (MYC16) May 1, 2003: Mary Winegar talks about the Parks and Recreation department in Lansing with the theme of summertime fun, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/WRfPrXi3vSc?t=2
African-American History (MYC33) July 2003: Wilbur Howard, president of the Lansing Area African-American Genealogical Society, gives a talk entitled “There Can Be No American History Without African-American History” at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/5doL3WlozAY?t=1
Lansing’s Italian Americans (MYC46) October 2, 2003: Charlie Spagnuolo and Julane Quick talk about the Italian families who immigrated and settled in Lansing, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/50kaezUCQcM?t=5
City on the Grand (MYC53) November 6, 2003: James MacLean and Craig Whitford talk about the historical photographs they collected for their book “Lansing: City on the Grand” at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/I2_tYOucciY?t=2
Depression Era Glass (MYC47) December 4, 2003: Guest speaker Marcus Burkholder, retired from the Lansing School District, talks about his collection of Depression Era glass (dishes and other serving items) at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. This video was incorrectly titled “Depressed Era Glass” in the credits. https://youtu.be/648LMy-xeSY?t=4
Researching the History of Your Old House (MYC48) February 5, 2004: Robert “Rock” Hudson talks about the process of researching an old house and the resources that he consulted in the Lansing area, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/kan03Rq2zb4
Ingham County Women’s Commission (MYC49) March 4, 2004: Guest speaker Mary Finch, then Vice Chair, speaks about the history and involvements of the Ingham County Women’s Commission at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. This video includes a segment contributed by Senator Debbie Stabenow. https://youtu.be/ypcJEjwpRXw
Labor and Politics in Michigan (MYC54) April 1, 2004: MSU Professor John L. Revitte talks about labor history, Socialist movements, and politics in Michigan, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/1fCfhlVF4nE?t=5
German History in Lansing (MYC50) April 2004: Lansing Liederkranz members Boots Teddy and Henry Lambrecht share personal stories of their German heritage and history of the German community in Lansing, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/754t1tsViyo?t=3
Lansing’s New York Connection (MYC51) June 2004: Historical Society of Greater Lansing President Linda Peckham talks about deep New York state connections held by many Lansing settlers, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/HuI7bCiz_ZI?t=2
Turner-Dodge House Antiques (MYC52) August 5, 2004: Antiques dealer Phil Siebert surveys antique items and furnishings on the first floor of the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/53Xwo51yqIo
Reflections from 1950 to 1990 (MYC55) September, 2004: Guest speaker Lucile Belen, Lansing City Councilwoman and local business owner, reminisces about her life and career in Lansing at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/oUf-LRQLJso?t=2
Ulysses D. Ward, Lansing Pioneer (MYC56) October 2004: Nathalie Winans shares the story of Lansing pioneer family the Wards, focusing on her great-great uncle Ulysses D. Ward, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/psx64IQS-2s?t=5
Ingham County History (MYC57) November 2004: Randy Gladstone talks about the history of Ingham County, including the story of the county courthouse, at the Turner-Dodge House and Heritage Center. https://youtu.be/aKcP-7IK88Q?t=2
*
Top: Geneva Kebler Wiskemann, Linda Peckham, George Graff and Jerry Roe.
Bottom: Jerry Lawler, Wilbur Howard, Craig Whitford and Elizabeth “Liz” Homer.
Copied from The State Journal – Lansing, MI – Sunday, February 4, 1968
Diverse Industrial Catalog You Name It, Lansing Can Make It by Carlisle Carver State Journal Staff Writer
When industry comes a-shopping in Lansing, it carries a long list of items-to-buy and fills a considerable number of shopping bags.
Mostly, it’s automotive parts or items related to the vehicular industry the buyers want, but there’s a good assortment of other products that they seek, too.
As Lansing bids to help feed the nation’s hungry economy, new products are being added to the area’s industrial showcase.
Latest addition to the product picture is the Multi-board product, being turned out by the Eberhard-Faber operation in the Midway Center, in the southeastern part of the city.
In the next year, Lansing expects to add a food industry which will process for the local, state and regional market that is expanding with the reach of one of the fastest growing food chains.
When the U.S. Finally gets a man, or men to the moon, it’s a good bet that a part or product turned out by Abrams Instrument Corporation, 606 E. Shiawassee St., will play an important role.
*** Abrams turns out timing, counting and programming devices, radar cameras, and photogrammetric instruments; electronic and electro-mechanical instruments for aviation industry; digital motors and rotary solenoids, and pulse devices used in air and space projects.
At Daytona Beach, Fla., Air-Lift Company, 2330 W. Main St., will find its air lift air springs contributing to the success of some of the nation’s foremost speed drivers and their vehicles.
For the area’s sweet tooths, Andros Candies, 337 S. Washington Ave., turns out mountains of candies and the Adams Potato Chip Company uses thousands of bushels of potatoes for its growing market.
Auto-Air Industries, Inc., which shifted its operations the past year to a southside site, turns out plastic and metal tooling and reinforced fiberglass products.
Automated tool demands are growing and so are the operations at Industrial Metal Products of 3417 W. St. Joseph St., Demmer Tool & Die of 3525 Capitol City Blvd., Jet Die and Engineering, Inc., Lansing Tool & Die Company, Machine Tool Electric Corp., Oloffsson Corp., Palmer Engineering, Inc., and Graf Tools Company.
***
Planet Corporation, 1820 Sunset Ave., and Roberts Corp. of 3820 S. Cedar St. and Grand Ledge are stops for those buying material handling, conveyor systems that need designing, manufacturing and installing.
Bradford Machine Tool Co., 722 Porter St., has engine lathes, grinders, buffers and polishers. Berg Abrasives, 1010 E. Jolly Rd., recuts large grinding wheels to a smaller size. Capitol Plastics, 1122 May Sr., has an assortment of custom plastic parts.
For the chemical needs, there are Carrier-Stephens Co., 221 Depot St., Davison Chemical Co., 2401 N. High St., and other wholesale outlets.
If it’s a product that needs packaging, they will find Cutler Packaging on old U.S. 16 (Grand River) prepared to design, or build a container to fill their products need.
As the auto traffic grows, more and more communities find a growing need for a pedestrian overpass. This product is a specialty with the Douglas Steel Fabricating Corp., 1312 S. Waverly Rd.
For the steel, they make a stop at Jacklin Steel Supply Co., 1340 S. Waverly Rd., which has expanded its warehousing operations to meet a growing market in Michigan the past year.
If it’s a prefabricated building, cottage or chalet type home, Hamill Homes, Inc., out M-43 (Saginaw Hwy.), Grand Ledge, can fill the buyer’s shopping bag.
Plastic patterns are available for industrial production and so are wood patterns and models too. They’ve turned out by Industrial Pattern of Lansing, Inc., 326 S. Homer St., Lans Corporation, 704 E. Oakland Ave., also has an assortment in these fields too. Lansing Pattern & Manufacturing Co., 700 E. Oakland Ave., also has a catalog of such items.
Those going to market for pressed metal products find them at Lansing Stamping Co., 1159 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Dail Steel Products, 750 E. Main St., Globe Products, 1818 Bassett Ave., and Wohlert Corp., 708 E. Grand River Ave., which places emphasis on automotive parts and allied assemblies.
*** For manufacturers in need of polishing, grinding and plating of their products, there are many stops. Some of those are the Lansing Metal Plating Co., 717 Walker St., Adams Plating Co., 521 N. Rosemary Ave., Capital Plating, 1801 Bassett, Central Plating, 327 Spring, Sarvis Manufacturing Co., 700 E. South, Woodman Engineering of 722 S. Foster and Stover Co., 2224 E. Michigan.
Machinery that needs repairing will find facilities for such work waiting for orders at Lansing Welding Co., 801 E. Howe and Industrial Welding, Inc., 2200 Olds.
Shoppers can stock their shelves with chemical specialties for the automobile industry and buy liquid glaze polish at Liquid Glaze, Inc., 735 May, Lustre Products, 816 E. Oakland, has chemical specialties for all industry and manufactures buffing pads, polishing mitts and backing plates.
Should the need be for printed products, stops at Murninghan Print Co., 1217 W. Kalamazoo St., John Henry Company, in a somewhat new plant on old highway US-16 (Grand River) will fill their requirements. Speaker-Hines-Thomas also is another active merchant in this field.
***
For pumps, hoists and engines, Novo Pump & Engine Division of American Marsh Pumps, 702 Porter can supply most of the buyers’ wants.
Lundberg Screw Products Co., 2101 W. Willow, takes care of screw machine products, including finishing, hardening and grinding. At Phillips Bros. Screw Products Co., 2909 S. Logan, there’s an automatic screw machine, turret lathe products and allied operations. Phillips Manufacturing Co., 3436 W. Holmes Rd., fills orders for screw machine products to blueprint specifications.
If your list calls for carbide cutting and boring tools, diamond wheel dressers and carbide blades, fill these needs at Precision Boring Tool Co., 700 E. Oakland. Plastics Manufacturing, Inc., 416 E. South, can take care of plastic letters, vacuum forming, plexiglas fabrication and advertising specialties requirements.
*** Non-ferrous castings are on tap at the Qualatrol Mfg. & Foundry Co., Inc., 326 S. Hill. Superior Brass & Aluminum Casting Co., 4893 Dawn Ave., specializes in brass, bronze and aluminum products. It also features plaques.
For building and other plastic materials, Ren Plastics, Inc., can fill almost every order.
Sarvis Manufacturing also can supply store equipment, advertising displays, custom wood and metal products in these fields.
Production machining and fabricating are marketed by Sellhart Manufacturing Co., 411 E. Kalamazoo.
Stamp-Rite Inc., 154 S. Larch, meets a diversity of needs starting with rubber stamps.
***
Custom woodworking in the store fixture, church furniture, and hi-fi areas can be obtained from Suburban Wood Products, 2816-24 W. St. Joseph.
Almost any type of forging need can be filled at Atlas, Lansing, Federal, Melling, Lindell or Oldsmobile forges.
For mobile refrigeration and heating products, Tranter Manufacturing, Inc., 735 E. Hazel, has the items desired. Universal Gear Division, American Marsh Co., 702 Porter, has speed reducers and clutches.
If you have a Hill Diesel Engine, service parts, pumps and machine work can be obtained at WHW Machine & Tool Co., 406 Olds.
Book binding specialists are Wagenvoord and Co., 306 N. Grand.
***
Crane carriers, heavy-duty trucks for road maintenance, fire truck chassis, lift trucks, loaders and other specialized machinery can be obtained at Warner & Swasey Company’s Duplex Division, 830 E. Hazel.
Art work and special printing jobs and plating needs are some of the services offered at Allen Printing & Colorplate, 317 N. Larch, and Capital Photo Engravers, 507 S. Grand.
For bedding, it’s Capital Bedding Co., 420 E. Saginaw.
Building blocks can be ordered for custom or regular construction from Ginther & Johns Block Co., 4205 N. East St., Amiss Block of 201 N. Detroit, Standard Block of 4724 N. Aurelius and Martin Block of 1520 E. Main.
At Motor Wheel Corporation, they make the drums, wheels for many of the automobiles, trucks, railroad engines, agricultural and military products.
And, if you need a car or a truck to haul these products away in, then there’s Oldsmobile Division of G.M. And Diamond-Reo Division of White Motor Corp.
In this January of 2023, I received a collection of The Onlooker columns that were in The State Journal (later Lansing State Journal) newspapers. They were clipped and collected from 1966 to 1988 by Neva G. (Bryan) Butler (1898-1999), and were sent to me by her granddaughter, Kelly (Butler) Sunderlin Woods. Here is the link to them all on my Flickr photos page. https://www.flickr.com/photos/lugnut215/albums/72177720305603482 I organized and posted them throughout the month at the Facebook page of the HSGL-Historical Society of Greater Lansing in 13 parts. I know there are some people who are not on Facebook for various reasons, so decided to mention them here on my blog for those who always enjoyed Mr. Hough’s columns. *
Copied from The State Journal – Lansing, MI – Saturday, February 17, 1968 – Pages B-6 and B-7.
Lansing Loves Country Music
Combination of Uncomplicated Rhythms, Meaningful Lyrics Wins, Hold Followers
By Jim Hough, State Journal Staff Writer
Don’t look now Lansing, but your country music is showing.
It may come as a shock to some folks, but Lansing is considered “one of the finest country music cities in the north.”
You say you don’t believe it.
For proof, take a walk into the Civic Center tonight. A country music show will start there at 8 p.m.
But you can get the picture about 6 p.m., two hours before starting time. Folks will line up there to get a good seat. It’s like the opening game of a World Series.
Grand Ole Opry vocalists LeRoy Van Dyke and Connie Smith and the country music band of Pee Wee King will perform tonight at the Civic Center.
Consider, for instance, that 6,396 Lansing area residents attended the last two Grand Ole Opry shows in the Civic Center. When country music star Johnny Cash hit town, 4,200 tickets were sold for the show.
Although national surveys show that 40 percent of records sold today in the U.S. are “country oriented.” the figure is higher in Lansing. Mrs. Molly Knight, manager of Marshall Music record store, says the figure is closer to 50 percent in Lansing.
Lansing now has a radio station devoting full time to country music, both AM and FM, and the Lansing Federation of Musicians says it has eight bands playing country music in Lansing area night clubs.
Enduring Interest
Some of those musicians have been playing country music here since 1938.
They all echo the same refrain. They say that Lansing is “one of the finest country music cities in the north.”
Bob Haynes, 50, the band leader at Lou Duby’s nightclub at Lake Lansing, plays and sings the country music six nights a week. He says he began playing his guitar and harmonica and singing here in 1938 “and I have never been out of work in all that time.” (Haynes did play for a short period at a Flint station).
“I think country music is great,” Haynes says, “because it tells a story.” “What counts is the meaning of the song. You can’t get a meaning from a rock and roll tune, even if you could hear the lyrics, and you can’t.”
“Playing in a club like this is sometimes a problem. About 95 percent of what we play is country music. Then some guy will come up and request something like Stardust. We play it, country style, of course.”
Western Domination Gone
The “western” of the old “country-western” category is gone. The Gene Autry-Roy Rogers cowboy types no longer dominate the music. In fact, all the organizations serving the field have dropped the “western” part of their titles.
Dick Hoover, who plays base guitar and sings at the Red Rail here, says he has never been out of work in 17 years of performing in the Lansing area.
Hoover, considered by his fellow country music performers to be the best vocalist in the area, admits, that his band, led by Dick Poulton, plays a large percentage of pop and dance music.
As one of Hoover’s admirer’s put it, “He can put a tear in the eye of the guy who likes ‘Harbor Lights’ and ‘Danny Boy,’ as well as in the eye of the guy who goes for a good sad country song.”
Hoover, born with only a small stub for a left arm, plays the bass guitar on every song performed by his group. Over the years he has developed an admired dexterity with his partial arm and earned much respect as a guitarist.
“I’ve just been hanging around waiting for, that one big break. Someday, I may get it. But, meanwhile, a guy can make it pretty well performing in Lansing.” Hoover said.
Country Music Gone Pop
Poulton says he thinks country music has “gone pop.” “What has happened,” Poulton said, “is that country music has lost its twang. Much of what we now call country music is really pop music. We have a tendency to label music according to who plays it. The same is true in reverse, much of what started as genuine country music spreads into the pop field. The two are merging these days. Nowadays, a good musician has to play all kinds of music.”
Charles Mefford, manager of WITL Radio Station, says his company bet its financial existence on country music when the station began devoting full time to “country stuff” last September.
“We’re going like gangbusters,” Mefford said. “You wouldn’t believe it. Response is terrific. More and more people are liking it as they become exposed to it.” Mefford said the number of stations in the nation playing all country music have nearly doubled during the last year.
Country music has a fine beat. It’s a honesty appeals to me. It’s not dumb music. It’s music of the people. People don’t like complicated music. Simple joys, simple heartbreaks. That’s the lyrical essence of country music. What’s more, I think the country music artists are more humble. They appreciate their listeners a little bit more.
Eddy Arnold Records Tops
Mefford says people are surprised to learn that “Mr. Country Music,” Eddy Arnold, sells more records than people like Perry Como (Arnold has recorded more than 30 songs which sold more than a million copies each). He says the Armed Forces Radio Network claims 65 percent of all records sold in military post exchanges are country music records.
George Baer, Civic Center manager says: “Although most other types of entertainment find attendance fluctuating, country music shows here have always been a big drawing card. What’s more country music fans are among the best behaved people who ever come to the Civic Center.”
The country music fan is somewhat like the baseball or football fan. He really gets involved in the performance. Often a loud and enthusiatic “yahooo” will burst from a fan who just couldn’t control his emotion a moment later. The toe tapping is terrific.
Jim Adams, leader of a country music band at the Playtime Bar, puts it this way. “I don’t know a soul, even a non-country fan, who can listen to our music without tapping a toe. It has rhythm, great rhythm. I’m now 38 and I’ve been playing country music since I was 15. I’ve never been out of work. Country music is down to earth. It’s real, I love it.”
Adams said country music has always been “big” in the Lansing area. He said he knows many other types of musicians who have trouble finding regular work, but not good country music men.
Vance Cheeseman, leader of a band at the Alpine Bar, says: “I’ve been playing it for more many years and I have never been hurting much for an audience. Country music is true to life. It’s all about people. The lives of people. The lives of the people. Nowadays, though, country music is more polished. It has gone a little pop, In fact, I think it is the rock and roll that has now gone hillbilly.”
Built Own Steel Guitar
Cheeseman says country music has always had an appeal to a certain large percentage of people while other segments of music would have their ups and downs. He says country music has gone “up-town” and resembles much of the pop music heard in the 1950s.
Cheeseman is seeking a patent on a steel guitar he built himself. His country music cousins complimented the guitar highly. Cheeseman said a new steel guitar cost about $1,500. He built his own for about $250.
Pete Forte, owner of the Alpine, said: “This music is great for business. About three years ago, I hired a rock and roll band. Then I switched to country music. My crowds increased and the trouble decreased. Now we’re getting a better class of people, older couples who want to dance to music with a good beat.”
Bill Sova, band leader at the Saginaw bar, says the same is true there. The bar management tried rock and roll a year and recently switched back to country music. Sova has played country music in Lansing for more than 30 years.
“Country music has gone pop,” Sova said. “All the top stars, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Ray Charles and others are singing some country songs. Many country music fans like sad tunes. I guess they like to cry in their beer. But country songs have more meaning. It’s been great to me.”
Herb Ivey, band leader at the Grenadier Bar, says he has made a good living for 15 years playing country music. “It has meaning. It tells a story. It’s about real life.”
Ed Combs, band leader at Don & Al’s Bar, says: “The special appeal of the beat and the lyrics of country music will someday make it the leading music of our land.”
This article includes photos of: Dick Hoover, Bob Haynes, Jim Adams, Dick Poulton, Vance Cheeseman, Bill Sova and one with two unknown people in a record store.
Copied from The State Republican – Lansing, Michigan – Saturday, April 3, 1897.
Early Lansing Interesting Sketch of the Capital City In An Early Day
Some Facts Concerning The Early History Of The City Heretofore Unpublished – From the Recollections of Mrs. Sarah E. Dart, Now Of Petoskey, Then An Eleven Year Old Girl.
Being one of the few still living who saw Lansing in its infancy of 1847, it seems to me appropriate that a sketch of the “city in the wilderness” be given, which might prove interesting to the older inhabitants, and possibly to others who went there at a later date.
—
The following jottings are penned from the memory of a girl just eleven years of age at the time of her visit to the new capital. In the main it is correct, but possibly some error may have been made from childish misconceptions of the time:
“Some time between 1843 and 1845, C. C. Darling, my father, then living in Spicerville, near Eaton Rapids, where he owned a farm and part of a saw-mill, was called to Lansing to assist Mr. Burchard to either build or repair a damn across Grand river, in the part called Lower town. (1)
“The following year Mr. Burchard lost his life by drowning near the damn.
“In the spring of 1847, after the location of the capital, my father and brother John, then fifteen years of age, went to Lansing, spending most of their time there before the removal of our family, in February 1848, from Eaton Rapids, where we then lived, father having an interest in both grist and saw-mills at the later place. Our journey commenced with sleighs, but on reaching the North settlement (2), we were compelled to accept the services of Mr. North, Sr., to take us to our destination on wheels, arriving there just at dusk.
“It has been said, and doubtless correctly, that Mr. North came from Lansingburg, N. Y. (3), and that he gave the name of the town which was to be the future state capital, The Everett and Buck families lived in the settlement, their descendants still occupying their old farms. My father rafted the first lumber from Eaton Rapids used in Lansing. During the summer of 1847 he erected a story and a half building on the site of the Briggs block, next south of the Hudson House, for a general store, bakery and residence, James Turner and wife Charlotte having charge of the bakery and living in the building until Mrs. Turner’s death the following February, which caused sudden removal of our family to Lansing. On our arrival we found a long bowling-alley-looking addition to the first structure, put up in a week’s time, of perfectly green lumber, preparatory for our coming, and in which we lived till the fall of 1852.
“The following year the building burned, with the Carter block, adjoining it on the south side, and from which it took fire.
“The Carter block, built the same year, a large two story building used for stores, offices and a residence, which Mr. and Mrs. Carter occupied, living previously in an extremely small but very tidy log house on the rear end of the lot.
“I think the post office was in this building when it burned. Mr. Carter died and Mrs. Carter afterward became Mrs. James Bascom. She was lying on what proved to be her death-bed at the time of the fire, my mother assisting to carry her to a safe place.
—
“In October 1847, my aunt, Mrs. Eckman, whom some of the president residents may remember, and myself, spent one week with my father and brother visiting the new capital, and boarding with Mr. Dearin, father of A. V. Dearin, yet living in the place. Mr. Dearin put up a building of boards nailed perpendicularly on or near the site of Clark & Co.’s carriage works, for the accommodation of the influx of people to the embryo city. It had a gabled roof, with just sufficient attic room for beds for the male members of the house. The ground floor was used for dining and sitting rooms, with possibly the kitchen partitioned off from one end, though I am not certain but all were together. The other end of the room was partitioned off with bed-quilts for two sleeping rooms. One of these contained two beds, separated only by a few inches of space, one occupied by my father and brother, the other by my aunt and myself. Of course the gentlemen arose first, leaving us to arrange our toilet in the best manner possible with the conveniences at hand. The other rooms were occupied by the Dearin family.
“One long continuous board table, well filled with all attainable good things, and prepared by Mrs. Dearin and her two daughters, gave perfect satisfaction to a hungry crowd. Evening usually found this large and jolly family gathered here discussing the various topics of the day. One discussion in particular attracted my childish attention, from its very earnestness. Religion was the subject and all present paid close attention to the speakers, who were allowed ten minutes each. Captain Cowles and his brother, then a young man, then as now, called ‘Mort,’ were among the speakers.
“While occupying this building, Mr. Dearin erected the Capital hotel, a three-story house, the nucleus of the Hudson House of today,
“Right here let me rectify the mistake found in the ‘History of Ingham and Eaton Counties’ published in 1880, which gives C. C. Darling the credit of being the original builder of this hotel.
“Later a Mr. Allen occupied it, erecting an addition on the north end. In 1852 it was purchased by my father and re-named ‘Columbus House,’ his own name. Later he put up an addition on the south side. Here we lived till October 1856, when we moved into the present residence of Mrs. Dr. Bartholomew, on Grand street, which my father built, leaving everything in the house for use of my brother, who assumed charge of the hotel. Afterwards it was purchased by Mr. Hudson and remodeled into the comfortable hostelry, it is now.
“Back of the Capitol hotel and my father’s house, about midway between the two, stood Bagg & Harmon’s printing office, of Detroit. This firm did the state printing in 1848, many of the printers boarding at my father’s. Mr. Teeter, who is still living with his daughter, Mrs. Mary Case, Washtenaw street, occupied with his family a similar building to Mr. Dearin’s, and only a few feet from it to the south and west. Mary, then a young girl, and little Jimmy Dearin, with his large yellow dog, Watch, were my playmates on this memorable and never-to-be-forgotten visit, Another pet of Mr. Dearin’s, while living in the hotel, was a tame deer, called Fanny, who roamed at will, daily coming to our bakery door, taking the loved cracker from our hands. Mr. Teeter purchased the place, which he still cultivates to some extant, and raised the little board house that is yet standing, where many a gay evening was spent by the young people of that early day, with his daughter, Charles S. Hunt was of the number. At that time it was seemingly a long distance and certainly a very rough road. Near Mr. Dearin’s boarding house, down in a ravine between that and River street, but invisible from either, Dr. Burt and wife, Mrs. Laura Burt, the present owner of the Commercial House, lived in in a small but tidy board shanty at this time. Here Mrs. Burt was teaching a few pupils, while building their future residence on River street, to which place they soon moved, the upper part affording ample room for the large number of pupils who attended her popular school in later years, myself among the number, all rapidly advancing under her able instruction. A few years ago this building was still standing, innocent of all modern improvements, with its large upper windows of 7×9 glass. Fancy seeing within, those familiar faces of nearly a century ago. Dr. Burr and a brother of Mrs. Burr, Montgomery by name, were taken away by an epidemic of brain fever in the spring of 1849.
“About this time Mr. Millar built a log house on the opposite side of River street, and later the brick residence attaching to it, and afterward purchased by Mr. Lansing.
—
“The first Lansing House, built by Henry Jipson in ’47, of logs, and later a one-story frame addition on the south side, stood opposite and east of where the Hotel Downey now stands. Still later it was enlarged to three stories and afterward burned. On the site of Hotel Downey, Dr. Goucher built a residence which was moved to Capitol avenue, where it now stands, to give place to the new Lansing House.
“The old capitol building was erected in ’47, to be completed and in readiness for the session of the legislature the following January. Stumps were all standing but later pulled out with a stump machine, a great curiosity to me. During the first few sessions of the legislature the members found much difficulty in securing board and rooms, the Benton, Lansing and Seymour hotels being about the only available places, these being usually well filled with transients.
“As they laboriously mended their way through mud and mire, around stumps, over logs and through brush, many an invective was hurled against the instigators of the removal of the state capital into this wilderness.
“Some of the more fortunate welcomed the opportunity of rides in lumber wagons to convey them to and from their distant boarding places. Ludicrous scenes often occurred to these dignified members and senators, but they soon learned to take the inevitable with as good grace as possible under the circumstances. During the summer the Benton House was built by Bush and Thomas. At the same time this firm built a small store on the east side of the river, a bridge being thrown across from Main street. This bridge being near the confluence of Grand and Cedar rivers was twice swept away by the moving ice during the spring freshets, and the present site then selected. The father of A. S. Weller built and occupied a small grocery store next east of Brush and Thomas.
“A few other buildings stood in this compact row, but for what purpose is forgotten. These were all later removed to give place for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad.
“Mr. Edward Elliot built a tin shop and residence on the opposite side of the street. The Bascoms of Jackson soon after lived in this house of one near it, losing, as I remember, a father and one brother during the epidemic, and later a brother, from the old Jenison House on Grand street.
—
“The National hotel was built on the corner of the block near the bridge on the east side of Cedar street, and occupied by Mr. Clapsaddle. In later years the house was burned.
“Midway between Upper and Middle towns (4), then so called. Mr. Quakenbush built a sawmill and residence, the latter purchased by Mr. Butler, father of Mrs. O. A. Jenison. On Main street, near the river, the Michigan House was built, and occupied by Mr. Hunt, where my father and brother boarded a portion of the summer. Mr. Thomas later purchased it for a residence, to which he removed his family.
“Several stores, groceries and other places of business, also residences, stood on either side of this street, and was the scene of much business activity, but soon gave way to the greater progress of Middle town, and falling into disrepute became the ‘Five Points’ of Lansing.
“C. P. Bush built his very fine residence, so considered, at the time, which was later owned by Mrs. Hinman, his daughter, and lastly purchased and removed to its present location, to give place to the palatial residence of O. M. Barnes.
“On the corner near the Michigan avenue bridge, Dr. Jeffries built the greater part of the present residence of Mr. Cahill, his daughter being an intimate school and playmate of myself. Not far from this time Mr. Long built a house on the highest point of St. Joseph street west, a long distance through the woods. It is still standing.
“In the summer of ’48, with mother and aunt, we took a long tramp through the woods to visit the home of Rev. Mr. Sanford, now Walnut street, between St. Joseph and Hillsdale, on the east side of the street. In the spring of ’59, the house, with three lots, was purchased by my father, repaired and presented to me, for a soon-to-be-needed future home. Mr. Sanford published the Primitive Expounder, a universalist paper, and occasionally delivered a sermon in the senate chamber, the old capitol building being used by several denominations for a number of years, until each was able to build its own church edifice.
“In an early day a bowling alley stood on the west side of Washington avenue, at some place south of the capitol, and at a distance from it, then a curiosity to me.
“The Beebe block, now a residence of E. H. Davis, also the Post House nearly opposite, were built about that time, in both of which I attended school, in the former at a more recent date, taught by Miss Clapp.
“On the road to Lower town, it could scarcely be called a street, there stood a log house occupied by a neighbor of ours at Eaton Rapids. Possibly this log house was the one later owned and occupied by Dr. Holmes. At Lower town, the Seymour House, now the Franklin hotel, was built in ’47, H. H. Smith, now of Jackson, having a general store in one of the compartments, at which place my father purchased a ball of pink and white soap, which my childish fancy coveted at the time of our visit. Quite an amount of business was transacted in this part of town, never declining like Upper town, but other buildings failed to be especially noted.
“The old brick built in ’48 across the river at Michigan avenue, is another landmark of that distant day, and remembered by the many games of hide and seek played around those two long board partitions.
—
“On the south side of the block on which the Hudson House stands, was a log house, in which Leonard Rand from Eaton Rapids, once a partner of my father, in his store, and in which Mr. Rand died.
“Among the many pupils who attended Mr. Burr’s school, we in the families mentioned, Mr. Dearin’s two boys, Henry and Matthew, Isaac, Charlie and Elbert Bush, brothers of Mrs. Hinmann, John being a messenger boy in the legislature; Amelia Hunt, James Thomas, two Clapsaddle boys. The younger one fell into the river and was rescued by his older brother; one Quackenbush boy, Lucy Long, David and Nancy Goucher, Anna Jeffries, Mary Berry, later known as Mrs. H. D. Pugh, whose father at one time was proprietor of the original Lansing House; Hattie Edgar, whose father built the first structure of the Commercial House and Delia Ward, afterwards Mrs. F. M. Cowles.
“Among the first inhabitants of Lansing now living, we find Mrs. James Turner, Mrs. John Longyear, her sister, D. L. Case, a brother-in-law, F. M. Cowles, Mr. and Mrs. Hinman, then young people, as also Mrs. Merrifield, Mrs. George W. Peck, D. W. Buck, Mrs. Mary Case, Mr. Teeter, her father, A. V. Dearin, then a young man, H. H. Smith of Jackson, and Mrs. Wiswell, now a resident of New Orleans. The latter’s husband was auditor general in ’48.
“A large volume might be compiled from memory’s page, of incidents of those pioneer days, of building constantly going up, removed and demolished, and of people in both public and domestic circles who have long ago passed over to the other shore. One by one they are dropping from our midst, but the rising generation is rapidly coming forward to take the place of those gone before. Soon none of those pioneers will be left to tell the story of the ‘city in the wilderness,’ and history alone will keep green the memories of those early days.”
MRS. SARAH E. DART Petoskey, Mich.
—
Notes: (1) Lower Town was later called North Lansing and today known as Old Town. (2) The North settlement was where today is the south side of Lansing. (3) Lansingburg or Lansing, New York. (4) Middle Town is now called Downtown today. Upper Town was later called the South Side and today is roughly where Reo Town is.
Copied by Timothy Bowman, October 28, 2021. Some parts edited out that were not part of Ms. Dart’s reminiscences.
List of general Lansing area history books 1870 = A History of the City of Lansing: From the Foundation Thereof, Down To the Present Time by M. Dash. 1880 = History of Ingham and Eaton Counties Michigan by Samuel W. Durant. 1891 = Portrait and Biographical Album of Ingham and Livingston Counties, Michigan by Chapman Bros. 1905 = Past And Present of the City of Lansing and Ingham County, Michigan by Albert E. Cowles. 1923 = Pioneer History of Ingham County by Mrs. Franc L. Adams. 1924 = An Account of Ingham County From It’s Organization by Frank N. Turner. 1930 = Lansing And It’s Yesterdays: A Compilation of a Portion of the Historical Material Published in the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Edition of The State Journal, January 1, 1930. 1944 = Early Lansing History by J. P. Edmonds. 1950 = City In the Forest: The Story of Lansing by Birt Darling. 1976 = The Bicentennial History of Ingham County, Michigan by Ford Stevens Ceasar. 1981 = Out Of A Wilderness: An Illustrated History of Greater Lansing by Justin L. Kestenbaum. 1986 = Lansing: Capital, Campus And Cars by Sallie M. Manassah, David A. Thomas, James E. Wallington. 1997 = Through the Years 1847-1997: A Pictorial History of Greater Lansing, by Linda Peckham & Ray Walsh. 2003 = Lansing: City On the Grand 1836-1939: Images of America series by James MacLean and Craig A. Whitford.
There are many more books about specific subjects of Lansing area history. Compiled by Timothy Bowman – March 31, 2021.
African-American Semi-Pro Baseball Teams in Lansing Michigan History
Baseball has always been an interest of mine. Over the last several years in researching the history of my hometown of Lansing I have come across several clippings about local African-American teams in the early 1900’s. This spring I tried to find as many articles that I could at Newspapers dot com and other online sites about Lansing and around the state of Michigan. Because of racism of the time the coverage is very spotty and some papers are still not online at this time. From reading them it doesn’t appear they were affiliated with the national professional Negro Leagues. It looks like they were independent teams. I wasn’t sure exactly what to do with these, so just loaded them to my Flickr dot com photos page. You can see the over 150 articles I collected at the link below. When you get there, the dates and titles from where I got them are in the descriptions. Also below is a list of the teams and the years they played. If you have any more information to add, any photos or memorabilia about these teams, or any questions. Please contact me by leaving a comment here.
History of the Comstock Park Warming House Pavilion Building by Timothy Bowman April 15, 2020
It is my belief that the best way to show a history of this building would be to tell you to what it was used for over the decades. As indicated in the title, the warming house went by other names in the past.
Comstock Park itself was established in April 1935 when the city of Lansing acquired the land from the state, which was formerly part of the Michigan School for the Blind property. It was named after Governor William A. Comstock, who had just left office a few months before.
The rest house as it was called then, was built sometime between 1935-1937. I could not narrow it down any closer. It is located on the Princeton Ave. just north of Daleford Avenue. Presumably built as a place for ice skaters at the rink just outside to warm themselves in the cold Michigan weathers. In late 1937 or early 1938, the first outdoor skating rink was used by the citizens of the area. This would become an annual thing for the next 60 years. I’m sure lots of people have stories to tell about skating at Comstock and other city parks.
Some other things that the pavilion was used for include table tennis (aka ping pong), when tables were placed in there in December 1939. Leagues and city wide tournaments were held in early 1940 and again in 1942.
In 1960, many large park remodeling jobs were done, including the furnishing and heating of the Comstock Park building. This was probably so the city recreation department could start offering winter golf instruction classes there in 1961, mostly to adults, but kids too. This would go on in the first few months of every year until at least 1976.
Notices were put in the paper for bidders to reroof the Comstock Park building in November 1969. I assume that was done at the time.
The Friends of Comstock Park was organized at a meeting in the pavilion in April 1996. I don’t know if it still exists, as I could not find much more about it after 2001.
Apparently the last time Comstock Park was used for outdoor skating was in early 1997, ending a tradition after 60 years. Several indoor ice skating places in the area had been opened by then. .
Additionally the Walnut Neighborhood Organization held their annual meeting in the Comstock Park Warming House in May 2000.
In May 2001, a public hearing was held for the public regarding a federal grant application for proposed renovations to the Comstock Park building. I could not find any indication that this was approved or not.
Last thing I could find, was from August 2001, that a plaque was unveiled to dedicate the Warming House in memory of JaneAnn Marie Mannix, a local activist and founding member of the Friends of Comstock Park.
*
Did my best to sum up what I found from Lansing State Journal clippings at Newspapers dot com. I posted the articles from where I got this info at my Flickr page at the following link if someone wishes write a more detailed history. The dates they were from are also their titles. Includes photos from the LSJ.
Bowling History in the Lansing, Michigan area
Compiled by Timothy Bowman.
As of April 18, 2020, still in progress.
CD = City Directory….. SJ = State Journal newspaper….. LSJ = Lansing State Journal.
All Star Lanes
– Grand opening on September 5, 1959. (SJ-09-06-1959; ad-09-03-1959).
– Location: 4 Miles West of Waverly Rd. On Saginaw, Between Lansing & Grand Ledge. (SJ-09-03-1959).
– 8520 Saginaw Rd. (SJ-11-28-1961). [Delta Township].
– 8520 W. Saginaw Hwy., West of I-96. (ad-SJ-05-09-1964).
– Closed in March 1997 at 8520 W. Saginaw, Grand Ledge. (LSJ-03-23-1997 and 03-30-1997).
Bowlerdrome – Opened November 13, 1941 in north Lansing. (SJ-11-15-1941).
– 728 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing. (1955 CD).
– Bowlerdrome is sold. (SJ-05-10-1959).
– first mention of new name for bowling alley, North Lanes. (SJ-08-30-1959).
– North Lanes, 728 E. Grand River. (SJ-11-28-1961; also ad from SJ-08-24-1962).
– North Lanes has closed. (SJ-09-07-1964 and SJ-03-11-1979).
Capitol City Bowling Alley – 112-114-116 W. Michigan Ave. (1900 Lansing High School yearbook). – need to check city directory’s.
Cedarway Recreation Center or Cedarway Lanes (called both)
– Opened about August 5, 1949. (SJ-08-05-1949-advertisement).
– 3507 S. Cedar St. (1955, 1967, 1976 CD’s).
– Cedarway Lanes – 3507 S. Cedar St. (1983 CD).
– Closed 1998 or after. (LSJ-08-22-1998-last mention in the papers).
Central United Methodist Church Temple House
– alleys opened when the Temple House did. (SJ-05-03-1923).
– N. Capitol Ave. and W. Ottawa St. (two lanes). 2019-still there.
Empire Bowling Alleys
– Opened between 1905 to 1908. (not listed in 1905-06 CD).
– 117 W. Michigan Ave. (1908, 1910 CD’s)
– 117 1-2 W. Michigan Ave. (1915 CD).
– 410 N. Washington Ave. (1927 CD and SJ-09-07-1935, 1940 CD).
– Empire Bowling Alleys – 410 N. Washington Ave. (SJ-06-05-1954-last ad seen).
– Central Bowling Alleys – 410 1-2 N. Washington Ave. (1955 CD).
– Bing’s – 410 N. Washington Ave. (SJ-03-05-1960-first ad seen).
– Bing’s Bowl & Arcade – 410 1-2 N. Washington Ave. (SJ-8-23-1960-first ad seen).
– Bing’s Bowl-O-Fun – 410 1-2 N. Washington Ave. (SJ-11-06-1960).
– Bing’s Bowl-O-Fun – (last ad found-SJ-1961-04-02).
Holiday Lanes – Opened on or about August 10, 1962 at the corner of Grand River and Clippert. (SJ-07-29-1962, 08-15-1962). – 3101 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing (1967, 1976 CD, LSJ-04-21-1996). – In January 2012, bought and name changed to Spare Time Entertainment Center. (City Pulse-04-04-2012, LSJ-06-28-2014).
Holt Recreation Bowling Alleys
– Opened October 21, 1949 on Cedar St., Holt. (SJ-10-21-1949).
– Advertisement with address, 2168 Cedar Street, Holt. (SJ-09-15-1953).
– Closed about 1992. (mention of former Holt Bowling Alleys-LSJ-10-01-1992).
Knights of Columbus Bowling Alleys
– In 1925, Knights of Columbus building opened on 400 block of N. Capitol Ave.
– (Was there bowling alleys before or after this date there-?).
– 420 N. Capitol Ave. (SJ-09-08-1936, 1940, 1955, 1967 CD’s).
Lansing Recreation Center
– Opened about September 22, 1941. (SJ-09-21-1941).
– Fire in building on October 27, 1945. (SJ-10-27-1945).
– 1109 S. Washington Ave. (1955, CD) (address error).
– 1115 S. Washington Ave. (1967, 1976 CD’s).
– In 1997, new name appears in ad’s, Cosmic Lanes. (LSJ-05-15-1997).
– In about 2002, Cosmic Lanes closed. (LSJ-09-24-2002, 01-15-2004).
Majestic Bowling Alleys
– Opened in 1910-? (SJ-02-22-1944).
– 111 E. Michigan Ave. (1910 CD)
– 111 E. Michigan Ave. (SJ-12-07-1912, also 1915, 1927 CD’s).
– In 1930, place changed to a restaurant. (SJ-02-22-1944).
Marvelanes
– Opened in September 1960 in Meridian Township at M-78 and Towner Rd. (SJ-06-16-1960, 09-14-1960, 09-25-1960).
– 2120 East M-78 = (SJ-11-28-1961).
– Officially becomes City Limits-East (City Pulse-02-20-2013) at 2120 E. Saginaw St., East Lansing.
Metro Bowl
– Opened in August 1959. (SJ-09-10-1959-opened a few weeks before).
– 5141 S. Logan St. (1967, 1976 CD)
– 5141 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. [street name changed] (LSJ-04-21-1996).
– Closed in late 2015. (LSJ-12-06-2015-building at address being sold online).
Michigan School For the Blind
– bowling alley constructed on top floor of the main school building. (SJ-09-18-1915).
– bowling alley located on fourth floor next to library. (SJ-12-11-1959).
– three lanes from Spartan Bowling Alleys donated to them. (SJ-08-24-1962).
– School relocated from Lansing to Flint. (LSJ-09-29-1995). [were alley’s still there-?]
Morofsky Bros. Bowling Alley and Cigar Store
– 305 S. Washington Ave. (1904, 1905-06 CD’s).
– need to check other C.D.’s.
Olympic Recreation Club
– Opens June 2, 1926 in basement of new College Manor apartment building. (SJ-06-01-1926).
– 224 Abbott Rd., East Lansing, basement. (1927 CD).
– open until at least 1932. (advertisement-SJ-12-05-1932).
Pro Bowl (East)
– Opened August 26, 1977 (SJ-08-27-1977).
– 2757 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. (SJ-08-14-1977).
– Closed August 1, 2001. (LSJ-09-25-2001).
Pro Bowl (West)
– Opened in August 1964 as just Pro Bowl. (SJ-08-23-1964). [Joe Joseph’s].
– 2122 N. Logan St. (1967, 1976 CD’s)
– 2122 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. [street name changed]. (LSJ-04-21-1996).
– Closed in September 2014 or earlier. (LSJ-09-21-2014-equipment for auction).
Rainbow Recreation
– Opens May 19, 1927 at 123 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. (SJ-05-13-1927, 05-18-1927, 05-26-1927).
– need to check other CD’s for possible address change or error. – 119 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, basement. (1940 CD). – Closed 1949 or after. (SJ-10-02-1949-last ad found).
Reo Clubhouse Bowling Alleys
– Completed in the new clubhouse and new league formed. (SJ-12-28-1917).
– mentioned in article. (SJ-08-29-1931).
– recently razed. (SJ-01-01-1939).
Royal Scot
– Opened September 2, 1975 at 4722 W. Grand River Ave. (SJ-08-29-1975 and SJ-09-16-1975).
– grand opening (re-opening-?) advert at 4722 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing. (SJ-04-05-1980).
– 4722 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing. (LSJ-04-21-1996).
– Still open in 2020, west of the airport.
Russell, Henry bowling alleys
– 212 N. Washington Ave. (1915, 1916 CD’s). [Henry Russell]
Sepeter’s Bowling Alleys
– Grand Opening on February 26, 1941 at 317-321 E. Michigan (SJ-02-25-1941).
– mentioning Sepeter’s additional lanes almost completed. (SJ-09-21-1941).
– ad shows them at 317 E. Michigan Ave. (SJ-03-28-1947).
– bought by Dines Bowling Alleys at 317-319 E. Michigan Ave. (SJ-07-13-1954). [Dines restaurant was next door].
– 317 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. (1955 CD).
– Closes sometime in 1961. (last mention in paper-SJ-1961-04-23)
Spartan Bowling Alleys
– Opens on or about December 20, 1940. (SJ-12-18-1940, 12-20-1940).
– 3411 E. Michigan Ave. (1955 CD).
– Closed August 5, 1962. (SJ-08-24-1962).
Spartan Lanes
– Opens about July 20, 1949 in newly built south wing of MSC Union. (SJ-05-19-1949; 07-20-1949).
– MSU Union, East Lansing. (LSJ-04-21-1996).
– Still there in 2020, maybe.
Strand Lanes
– Opened April 21, 1921 at the same time as the attached Strand Theatre. (SJ-04-20-1921).
– Strand Theatre changed to the Michigan Theatre, the bowling alleys remained named Strand. (SJ-08-14-1941).
– 219 S. Washington Ave., basement arcade of Strand/Michigan Theatre. (1927, 1940, 1955 CD’s).
– Closed in about 1963. (SJ-08-23-1963).
Timberlanes Bowling Alley
– Opened about August 1950. (SJ-08-13-1950, 08-27-1950-first mentions in papers).
– 2900 N. East St., also under 2900 N. U. S. 27, Lansing. (1955, 1967 1976 CD’s).
– Ad with new name, Spartan Lanes, formerly Timberlanes. (SJ-02-26-1978).
– Last ad found asking for bartenders for Spartan Lanes. (LSJ-08-10-1984).
– First ad for bartender for Connxtions Comedy Club bar at same location. (LSJ-10-06-1984).
Westlawn Lanes
– Official opening on October 22, 1950. (SJ-10-21-1950).
– 1808 W. Saginaw St. (1955, 1967, 1976 CD’s).
– Closed April 1987 or after-? (LSJ-04-05-1987, 04-12-1987-last mentions in papers).
Local History Blog of Timothy Bowman 