Volume 39, number 2
October 2017
Grand River Times The Newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society Inside this issue: Cover Story: October program Letter from our President page 2 Michigan Women's Hall of Fame Awards Dinner page 4 Program Schedule 2017-2018 page 5 Happening in History page 6 Photo Sleuth page 7 Search: Grand Rapids Historical Society
Next program: After the
October program, the Grand Rapids Historical Society’s next program will be on November 9, 2017 at the Grand Rapids Public Library. Melissa Fox will be speaking about: The Second Line of Defense: Grand Rapids Women and the Great War. Grand River Times
Speedrome Gone, But Not Forgotten: PRESENTED BY: Doug Taylor Thursday, October 12, 2017, 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for special slide show On this evening Doug Taylor will focus on the history around C.C. Comstock and his connection to the birth of the West Michigan Fairgrounds, Comstock Park and eventually the Historic Speedrome. It was located on North Park St. between the Grand River and West River Dr. in Comstock Park, MI. Woodland Paving and US-131 Expressway occupy the property today. Taylor will take you on a parade of chronological events as they happened in the very early years of the Historic West Michigan Fairgrounds. Along the way Doug will bring to life the days of the thundering race cars that roared around the track since 1903, with names like Barney Oldfield, Louis Chevrolet and Ralph DePalma. Then he will focus on reasons the State Fair after 45 years left for Detroit and why the grounds fell into disuse. In 1946 after World War II ended, the nations craze turned to airplanes, because so many were involved with aircraft during the war. Visionary O. C. Hall gambled on a fifty year lease with an option to purchase the fairgrounds and built a north-south runway with a seaplane base on the river. Doug goes on to explain much of the operations of Grand Rapids Air Park that was short lived, including an Air Service owned by the famous Amway founders, that failed horribly. 1
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Dear GRHS Members, As I write this article in the middle of September it has felt like late fall and then like mid -summer. I am hoping that we have some beautiful colors this year, but with the dry weather, I don’t know. Quite a few trees are already turning color, and others are just dropping their green leaves. This is the time of the year you may be looking for some indoor activities. A new offering at the Grand Rapids Public Museum is a take-off on “escape The Grand River Times is the newsletter of the Grand Rapids rooms”. We are calling it “Puzzle Room: Quest for Historical Society, published six Conviction”. After a short introduction a small group (up to 10 at a time) will times annually. Established in 1894, the Grand Rapids Historical Society go into a room where they have one hour to gather enough evidence to is dedicated to exploring the history convict the suspect in the Peck murders, a well known crime committed in of West Michigan; to discover its 1916. It would be a great activity for a group of friends, a team building romance and tragedy, its heroes activity or with family. There is a facilitator on hand to guide you on your and scoundrels, its leaders and its quest. Entry times are noon, 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Thursday through ordinary citizens. The Society collects and preserves our heritage, Sunday. The facilitator I spoke to says everyone has a great time. passing it on to new generations through books, lectures, and education projects. Executive Committee: Gina Bivins, president Matthew Daley, vice-president John Gelderloos, treasurer Nan Schichtel, secretary Board members: Alan Bennett Charles Bocskey Thomas Dilley Marilyn Hamill Chris Kaupa Gordon Olson, emeritus Wilhelm Seeger, emeritus Jeff Sytsma Jim Winslow Tony Wright Kurt Yost Jessica Riley, editor Grand Rapids Historical Society c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
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September 16, 2017 was the opening day of a temporary traveling exhibit about the brain and how it works. It will be open until January 7, 2018. I am looking forward to a companion exhibit that will open on October 20, 2017 titled “The Life of the Mind”. It has been put together by the museum exhibit staff and will explore the evolution of mental health care. Featured artifacts from the Museum’s extensive collection will provide evidence about the progression of medical intervention for mental illness. “Brain: The World Inside Your Head” and “The Life of the Mind” are included in Museum admission. There is a fee for the Puzzle Room. Check the Museum web site grpm.org for prices and open hours. Continued on page 5 About the Grand Rapids Historical Society. The Grand Rapids Historical Society sponsors eight programs each year, beginning in September and running through May, including lectures, audio/video presentations, demonstrations, collections, or special tours. Membership. Membership is open to all interested persons with annual dues of $30 per family, $20 for seniors and students, or $400 for a lifetime membership. The membership year runs from May to the following May. Members of the Grand Rapids Historical Society receive eight newsletters each year and a subscription to our annual magazine, Grand River Valley History. Members also receive a 20% discount on books published by the society as well as books published by the Grand Rapids Historical Commission. Change of Address. If you will be permanently or temporarily moving to a new address, please notify GRHS before your change occurs. Let us know your new address and the date you plan to leave and plan to return. Email to grhs.local@gmail.com, or mail to Grand Rapids Historical Society, c/o Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 2
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Continued from front page In 1949 O.C. Hall rebuilt the grandstands as work was started on a multi-purpose racing facility with modern conveniences close in to Grand Rapids. Plans included building a half mile dirt racetrack with a fifth mile dirt track
Moving into the late 1950s, the track was promoted by Frank Evans and Flip Kamp, who brought in Joey Chitwood Thrill Show drivers regularly, had many midget races, jalopies and on occasion would have powder-puff races and wreck-om derbys. Halfway into 1963 season Chet Hall, (O.C. Halls son) become the last promoter and in 1964, he paved the half mile track, put lights on it and brought in the Super Fast Modifieds, with wide open competition. As a bonus they added the fast Semi Late Model Stock Cars and the crowds grew to epic proportions, which ended in being the high point of the Speedrome, the low point being the sale of the Speedrome on August 1, 1966 to the State of Michigan for the extension of US-131 north from Grand Rapids I-96.
inside it. On May 28, 1950 the Speedrome as it was called, opened with 10,000 fans to watch midgets race on the fifth miletrack. The big cars were postponed until the next Sunday, do to the Grand River flooding the half mile track.
Come join Doug and Speedrome drivers, Johnny Benson Sr., Wayne Landon, Gail Cobb, Bob Senneker and Ralph Baker to tell their stories and share memories of that by gone era and join them in a Question & Answer secession at the end of the presentation.
The Speedrome went through a bunch of difficult management and lease periods through the first 5 years of operation. Doug then looks at the big power struggle enveloped between Berlin Raceway (seven miles to the west) and the Speedrome in 1951, for the cars and drivers from the area, as both tracks run on Saturday night. Speedrome had a half mile race track and brought in Nascar in 1951 and 1954 for a couple of 200 lap races.
Speedrome Aerial Then and Now
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Michigan Women's Hall of Fame Awards Dinner & Induction Ceremony
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 Reservations due October 6, 2017 http://www.michiganwomen.org/awards_dinner.aspx Contemporary Inductees
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center
American Legion NUWARINE Post 535 Mary Kay Henry Bernice Morton, Ph.D. Professor Rosemary Sarri Elizabeth Wetzel
Historical Inductees Ella Mae Backus (1863-1938) Clara Bryant Ford (1866-1950) Elizabeth Denison Forth (c.1790-1866) Verna Grehek Mize (1913-2013) Rosie the Riveter
219 South Harrison Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823 Reception - 5:00 p.m. Dinner - 6:00 p.m. Ceremony - 7:00 p.m.
The Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council honors ELLA MAE BACKUS In 1903 Ella Mae Backus (1863-1938) was the first woman appointed Clerk of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Michigan. Twenty years later she again made history as the first woman appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney, one of only six in the nation. Through her 35 years in the district office, Backus inspired later women to step from the governmental position into higher office and other legal fields.
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Continued from page 2 I am embarking on a new adventure at the Museum. I will spend two days a week at the Community Archives and Research Center (CARC) and three days at the museum. I am working in education, with researchers, interns and volunteers. The Society and board members have been receiving messages that people are unhappy that we are not offering a cemetery tour this year. Thomas Dilley has retired from giving them. We are working on a plan to bring in other speakers for this topic. Be patient. I also have heard that members would be interested in a downtown architecture tour. I have given a number of these over the years and would be happy to offer one or two in the spring or early summer to members. I try to limit them to twenty people so I don’t lose my voice (I am no Tom Dilley, who has given cemetery tours to over 300 people at once.) Watch this space.
Once last thing, I overlooked thanking Alan Bennett in the September newsletter for his dedicated work as a member of the Program Committee. I hope to see you October 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ryerson Library for our program about the Speedrome.
Grand Rapids Historical Society Programs 2017—2018 **All programs are held at the Grand Rapids Public Library in the Ryerson Auditorium** GRANT’S CANAL: THE UNION’S ATTEMPT TO BYPASS VICKSBURG THE SECOND LINE OF DEFENSE: GRAND RAPIDS WOMEN AND THE GREAT WAR
March 8, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Presented by: David Bastian
November 9, 2017, 7:00 p.m. Presented by: Melissa Fox
CHARLES GARFIELD: A FASCINATING CITIZEN
GRAND RAPIDS – GATEWAY TO THE PLAYGROUND OF THE NATION: A LOOK BACK AT PROMOTING THE CITY AND WEST MICHIGAN
January 18, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Presented by: Chris Reader
April 12, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Presented by: Christine Byron and Tom Wilson
WAGOOSH: THE FOX: LOUIS CAMPAU
HERITAGE HILL IN GRAND RAPIDS HISTORY
February 8, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Presented by: Maureen Shirey
May 10, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Presented by: Thomas Logan
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HAPPENING IN HISTORY: OCTOBER 2017 Western Michigan Genealogical Society Mini-Class Saturday, October 7, 2017, 12:00 p.m. Main Library-Ryerson Auditorium 111 Library St. NE
West Michigan Post Card Club Monday, October 9, 2017, 7:00 p.m. Faith United Methodist Church 2600 7th Street NW
Topic: Genealogy Software Comparisons
Topic: The Architecture of Production: Grand Rapids’ Furniture Factories
Presenter: Linda Guth
When it comes to genealogy software, a slew of questions come to mind. What family tree software is out there? What's the best genealogy software? Since many programs perform the essential functions of recording, organizing and sharing family history data, the best choice for you often depends on personal preference. Western Michigan Genealogical Society Saturday, October 7, 2017, 1:30 p.m. Main Library-Ryerson Auditorium 111 Library St. NE
Presenter: Matthew Daley
Reminders of Grand Rapids’ past as “Furniture City, U.S.A.” stand throughout the city. Former factory buildings line Monroe, Seward, and Godfrey Avenues serving as useful local landmarks in all four quadrants. These structures are a key part of the community’s architectural heritage, as much a part as any historic district’s grand houses. This presentation will discuss the architectural features, neighborhoods, and lives of workers in Grand Rapids’ furniture factories during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Topic: Locating Living Relatives (Reverse Genealogy) Presenter: Katherine R. Willson
Let’s step away from researching our deceased ancestors and attempt to locate living relatives who might be in possession of Great-Great-Grandma’s family Bible, photos of Civil War ancestors, or letters written from the home country. We’ll discuss online sites that allow us to look for potential living relatives at no cost and methods for contacting them without sounding like a scammer or a phisher!
Katherine R. Willson of Ann Arbor, MI is a highly acclaimed and professionally trained national public speaker. Her passion for genealogy combined with practical and creative strategies keeps her audience fully engaged and actively participating in these energetic, entertaining presentations.
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Matthew L. Daley is an Associate Professor of History at Grand Valley State University. His teaching and research focuses on American cities, Michigan, Great Lakes, and industrial archaeology. Dr. Daley received his Ph.D. from Bowling Green University in 2004 and his M.A. from Wayne State University in 2000.
Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table Wednesday, October 18, 2017, 7:30 p.m. NOTE CHANGE: Doors open at 6:30 p.m. De Witt Student Center Kuyper College West Dining Room 3333 East Beltline NE Roger Rosentreter will be presenting. Be sure to check out the Round Table at:
www.grcwrt.com
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY JOIN THE GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY OR GIVE A MEMBERSHIP AS A GIFT The Grand Rapids Historical Society sponsors eight lectures each year. Members of the society enjoy these benefits:
The Grand River Times is the newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society. Published and mailed to members eight times a year, it includes current items of historical interest, details of upcoming lectures, historically relevant activities, and short articles.
The Grand River Valley History is the society’s annual magazine. Featured are illustrated articles by local history researchers and contributions from the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the City Archivist, the Grand Rapids Public Library, and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
20% Discount on all books and other items published by the society.
Please enroll me as a member of the Grand Rapids Historical Society: ____ New ___Renewal ____Gift _____Lifetime:
$400.00 one-time fee
_____Individual/Family Membership
$30.00 per year
_____Senior Citizen or Student
$20.00 per year
Name: Address: City/State/Zip:
Please make check payable to the Grand Rapids Historical Society and mail it with this form to: Grand Rapids Historical Society, c/o Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY PHOTO SLEUTH October's Photo Sleuth sets the mood for Halloween, with this 1938 image from the Robinson Photographic Studio Collection. Pictured is a group of unidentified, costumed East Grand Rapids students; if you know any of these young folks, please email the Grand Rapids Public Library's Local History Department at localhis@grpl.org.
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. postage PAID Grand Rapids, MI Permit No. 234
Grand Rapids Historical Society, Inc. c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Speedrome Gone, But Not Forgotten: PRESENTED BY:
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Cover Story: October program Letter from our President page 2
Doug Taylor Thursday, October 12, 2017, 7:00 p.m.
Michigan Women's Hall of Fame Awards Dinner page 4 Program Schedule 2017-2018 page 5 Happening in History page 6 Photo Sleuth page 7
For more information on Historical Society programs, please visit www.grhistory.org Grand River Times
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