When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness. When grand rapids was incorporated on april 2, 1850, it already had one furniture factory and several small private shops that created various furniture pieces. Grandville avenue book traces history of grand rapids. As furniture capital of the world and an allamerican city three times, grand rapids has a fascinating past. Visit us on the 4th floor of the main library, call us at 6169885400 x5497 or send us. Page 768 pythias orders, and to the sons of the american revolution. For more than a century since its original publication in 1891, albert baxters history of grand rapids, michigan, has been the standard against which all other. The city archives and records center stores all the citys government records. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search.
The black freedom struggle in grand rapids, mi, is important for two major reasons. History of the city of grand rapids, michigan with an appendix. Each tour guide will portray a member of grand rapids past to heighten your historical experience. About 300 years ago, the ottawa indians moved into the. From the beqaa to the grand provides the first history of the old syrian community of grand rapids, michigan, 18901945. History of grand rapids grand rapids historical society.
Find groups in grand rapids, michigan about book club and meet people in your local community who share your interests. His latest efforts include the gift of all, a documentary about philanthropy in. A brief history of grand rapids parks produced by the grand rapids historical commission provides a focused look at how the grand rapids park system came to be. Illustrations, including many originally engraved portraits are plentiful. Grand rapids historical commission, grand rapids, michigan. A good history of racism in grand rapids, michigan with a particular look at how the city government structured city. The purpose of studying history is to better understand the complex cultures as well as the historical systems and events that have driven the past, produced the present and guide the future of our world. Remembering a citys past through pictures generates more. For those with no connection to grand rapids this book will have little appeal. Its a little known fact that grand rapids brewing co. Grand rapids, michigan historic book collection 8 books exploring grand rapids, its history, culture and its genealogy important citizens in. Each tour features maps, audio, and photos about the history of each location.
Would you like to research the grand rapids public schools. Discover where the first parks were located and how new parks were developed. Details about history of the city of grand rapids, michigan albert baxter, 1974 reprint book. First, the book illuminates some very important history of race relations in grand rapids that is likely not well known, unless of course you lived through it. Grand rapids became the first city in the united states to add fluoride to its drinking water in 1945. History of the grand rapids fire department 18501950. A forgotten history of how our government segregated america. Take a look and let us know via our contact page if youve seen one that is older weve moved the furniture. Today, grand rapids is still a world leader in the production of office furniture. He is a member of the psi upsilon fraternity, and belongs to the peninsular club and the kent country club. Page 733 about one year after admission to the bar he became associated with mr. This book, in reprint form, represents one of the premier sources of history of the grand rapids, michigan area, and by extension, the old northwest. The grand river was used to generate power for the factory and provide transportation for the logs from the hard and soft wood forests upstream. Carl bajema brings the details and history to life in his second book to be published within the next year, the history of grand rapids street cars.
The hopewell peoples occupied this region more than 2,000 years ago. Gypsum plaster mining was the areas first major industry. Grand rapids facts and history want to know how grand rapids was. It brings the history to the actual location where you are standing. Building grand rapids collection childrens clothing collection christmas collection city horses collection father morrow collection fire and police dept. We try not to revisit the same continent within 6 months for books focused on particular regions. Grand rapids, michigan historic book collection 8 books exploring grand rapids, its history, culture and its genealogy important citizens in the 19th and early 20th centuries tha new media llc on. The book makes the case that grand rapids is a particularly good site from which to understand the transition to more practical education system based on training kids for jobs. Gordon olson, grand rapids city historian emeritus, served as grand rapids city historian for 24 years and is the author and editor of numerous local history books, including a grand rapids sampler, grand rapids, a city renewed, and histories of amway, steelcase, grand rapids foundation, and irwin seating company. How the furniture workers strike of 1911 changed grand rapids. Taggart, who in the meantime had been appointed assignee. The city may be able to claim the worlds oldest selfie. Manufacturer of medium prices mission and colonial bookcases, desks, ladies desks, china closets, side tables, gentlemens chiffonniers, buffets, and parlor cabinets, in oak and mahogany.
Their efforts are documented in the book, the failed promise of the american high school, 1890 1995. Inside clean and unmarked except tanning on endpaper from contact with said clippings. In 1881, the countrys first hydroelectric plant came to life on the citys west side. The study focuses on the slow process of ethnic acculturation during which members of the community developed a hybrid culture, drawing on elements of the old and the new. History kent county michigan 1881 antique book grand rapids lowell sparta ada. Bulman collection portrait photography collection railroad collection random collection schuyler colfax baldwin. History of the grand rapids fire department 18501950 centennial. At the beginning of the 20th century, furniture factories dominated the physical and economic landscape of grand rapids. Covid19 advisory for the health and safety of meetup communities, were advising that all.
The forgotten history of how a grand rapids high school. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. Facsimile reproduction of the original 1891 edition new yorkgrand rapids. Reading this book was a lot like reading the book of numbers in the bible lots of names and numbers some familiar and some obscure with some stories and interesting tidbits of information here and there. May 10, 2015 is the 150th anniversary of mass transportation in grands rapids. A very cool early 1868 image of grand rapids with an interactive map can be viewed by clicking this line. Check out our book section showcasing many attributes like rich history and arts that have influenced grand rapids. Join the authors for an evening of grand rapids history mixed with the paranormal world. This book is a must for anyone interested in the history of grand rapids, mi.
Grand rapids, michigan historic book collection 8 books. City archives and records center grand rapids, michigan. Historical photos show grand rapids favorite bygone. A history of the syrian community of grand rapids, 1890. It is full of pictures and information that most grand rapids residents probably dont. Grand rapids historical society, grand rapids, michigan. History of the city of grand rapids by albert baxter. We make sure that theyre accessible for citizens and employees research.
Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. The black freedom struggle in grand rapids, michigan as want to read. Ghosts of grand rapids tours paranormal michigan ghost. Wernickes patented elastic bookcases, a system of wooden compartments that interlocked vertically and horizontally to create flexible cases for book and paper storage. She is a member of the grand rapids historical society, the grand rapids womens history council and the tricities historical museum in grand haven. One book, one city for kids is a cool reading program that tries to get all the 5th graders in one city grand rapids to read the same book. History of grand rapids the area known today as the city of grand rapids. An intoxicating history of river city brewing, was a. Our members get a 20% discount on the book at schuler books on 28th st, located on the book club table.
You can research your house, your family, a business or your neighborhood. Grand rapids historical commission grhc mission, established by the city in 1962, is to. Historic photos of grand rapids explores that past in images depicting a range of subjects, including the. History of the city of grand rapids, michigan with.
Lewis, of grand haven, talks about restaurants that have come and gone in grand rapids from the early 1800s until the present day in her book published by. Gr walks features a number of walking tours of landmarks and neighborhoods in grand rapids, michigan. He began writing true crime after a brief stint as a volunteer in the kent county morgue. Collection grand rapids bridges collection halloween collection orville c. Grand rapids erma johnson flipped through the pages of a grandville avenue sw history book, the images reviving memories from her own past. In this biography hendrik booraem traces the early life of gerald ford in grand rapids. The connection of solar activity, war, peace and the human mind in the 2nd millennium. Learn about the 2020 one book, one city for kids selection, harbor me by jaqueline woodson. Tobin has published five books about historical true crime, the most recent being poisoning the pecks of grand rapids. See the latest news, scores, stats and get tickets to every griffins home game.
What began as a furtrading post grew into the secondlargest city in michigan, a center for industry and the arts. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. The titles listed in the book section showcase many of the attributes that have influenced grand rapids, including its rich history, interest in the arts and connection to the lake michigan shoreline. The information contained in the hefty volume is detailed and reliable. The formative period of grand rapids history has now been treated of, and comprises the period extending from 1833 to 1850. History of the city of grand rapids, michigan with an appendixhistory of lowell, michigan.
Our recorded history stretches back two millennia and reflects the contributions of many diverse peoples. In honor of richard rothsteins visit to grand rapids today, i though it might be important to take his analysis from the book, the color of law. The mission of the grand rapids historical society is to preserve an accurate record of our. History of the city of grand rapids, michigan albert. History of grand rapids and its industries, volume 2. See more ideas about history, grand rapids michigan and michigan. Norma lewis has lived in or near the grand rapids area for over twentyfive years. We store yearbooks, scrapbooks, photographs, and more. History of the bechtel family, grand rapids, michigan. In addition, while rothsteins book focuses on the governments role in housing segregation, it is important to think about. Cspans local content vehicles lcvs made a stop in their 2016 lcv cities tour in grand rapids, michigan, from june 2329 to feature the history and literary life of the community. Online shopping from a great selection at books store.