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Southwest Michigan Area History

This Month In
Michigan History


 
Data compiled by: Michigan History Magazine

For many people, both residents and visitors alike, Southwest Michigan's historical facts are quite interesting as well as surprising.

Southwest Michigan's factoids include:

  • 11,000 years of settlement complete with mammoth and mastodon hunting.

  • Being a "stop" along the Underground Railroad.

  • Home to the Civil War hero who captured Confederate President Jefferson Davis fleeing the defeat of his nation.

  • The ghost town of Singapore (see our History of Allegan County, Michigan section).

  • The "Battle of Manila" cannon, dedicated by President McKinley.

  • Home to the Checker Cab Manufacturing Corporation & Upton Machine Company, later renamed Whirlpool Corporation, original home of the Gibson Guitar Company.

And many other interesting tidbits!

Southwest Michigan's firsts, some contested by other locales, include:

  • The first airplane flight.

  • The first automobile.

  • The first radio broadcast of a professional boxing match.

  • The first newspaper published between Detroit & Chicago.

  • The first state to have a border-to-border interstate freeway.

And many other nifty firsts!

Southwest Michigan and the cities therein have been referred-to in numerous ways, and for a variety of reasons, through the years:

  • United States' largest paper-producer.

  • Nation's smallest city.

  • World's largest celery-producer.

  • World's peppermint supplier.

  • World's largest outdoor fruit market.

  • World's Magic Capital.


Other Nifty Southwest Michigan Area History Stories:

America's First Airplane Flight
Man-supporting, heavier-than-air, motorized, controllable, "flying machine"
America's First Car
The 1894 Baushke automobile was built in Benton Harbor as an experimental investment idea
America's First Radio Broadcast of a Professional Boxing Match
Jack Dempsey vs. Billy Miske
Allegan County, Michigan
Including Allegan & Saugatuck communities
Berrien County, Michigan
Including Benton Harbor, Berrien Springs, Buchanan, Harbert, Niles, St. Joseph, & Three Oaks
Berrien County Memories
At the turn of the century, thousands of visitors traveled to Berrien County for their summer vacations
Bridgman, Michigan
The post office, railroad station and this new town were to be named after George Bridgman
Cass County, Michigan
Including Cassopolis, Dowagiac, Pokagon, & Sumnerville communities
Coloma, Michigan
First called Shingle Diggins, this town became known as Dickerville, then finally Coloma.
Greeks of Berrien County, MI
Greek immigrants started coming to America in the 1880's due to horrible economic conditions in Greece.
The Israelite House of David
A communal society that practiced celibacy, vegetarianism, conscientious objection, and equal rights for women
Kalamazoo County, Michigan
Including Galesburg, Kalamazoo, Richland & Schoolcraft communities
Lake Michigan: "Grand Lac"
Monstrous ice formations of up to 6,500 feet thick formed what we know today as the Great Lakes
Paw Paw Lake Resorts
Certainly "the right place, at the right time." This quiet country setting attracted millions of visitors
St. Joseph County, Michigan
Including Burr Oak, Centreville, Constantine, Colon, Mottville, Sturgis, Three Rivers, & White Pigeon
Silver Beach Amusement Park
The grand park that once graced the lake shore of St. Joseph is fondly remembered
Stevensville, Michigan
In exchange for having a railroad depot named after Mr. Stevens, he sold a portion of his land for $1.00.
Van Buren County, Michigan
Including Hartford, Lawrence, Paw Paw, & South Haven communities
Watervliet, Michigan
The community of Watervliet and its history are forever tied to the flowing waters of the Paw Paw River.
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