Category Archives: The Michigan Pages: History: Magazine

Michigan History: Hollywood's First African-American Cowboy

October 5, 2009 – 10:24 am

Herbert Jeffries has acted, sung, even ridden--his way to the top of the entertaining world.
In the 1930s, when white singing cowboys like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers carved out names for themselves, Jeffries decided there should be black cowboy films* especially since there had been many African American cowboys in the American west.
Born in Detroit [...]

By farlane | Also posted in Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Books & Magazines, Community, Detroit, History & Libraries, Media, Museums & Collections, Photography & Film, The Michigan Pages, The Michigan Pages: History: Black History | Comments (2)

Michigan History: Rediscovering Our Covered Bridges

July 30, 2009 – 12:06 pm

The July/August 2009 issue of Michigan History tells the stories of Michigan’s three remaining covered bridges. Back in the days when couples rode in a horse and carriage, covered bridges were known as “kissing bridges.” The walls provided privacy and the horse was reined to a stop while the pair took advantage of their opportunity [...]

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Michigan History: Michigan’s Head Start on Going Green

March 24, 2009 – 12:16 pm

Michigan citizens backed “green” laws and lawmakers before the term was even popular. Ours is one of ten states that require a deposit on bottles and cans. In the 1950s and 1960s, pop and beer bottles and cans were not returnable. The roadsides were littered with these bottles and cans. In 1974, State Representative Lynn [...]

By Absolute Michigan | Also posted in Articles, Books & Magazines, Community, Dig Michigan, Environment & Environmental Organizations, Government, History & Libraries, Lansing, Media, Michigan, The Michigan Pages | Comments (0)

Michigan History: Beauty and the Bow

March 10, 2009 – 9:47 am

Born in England in 1938, Ann Marston immigrated to the United States with her parents in 1949. Already an accomplished archer—and British national champion--Ann soon dominated the field of American archery. Throughout the 1950s, she won numerous competitions. After winning every junior award and consistently breaking world records in the junior classification, she was allowed [...]

By Absolute Michigan | Also posted in Articles, Books & Magazines, Books, Music & Video, Community, Dig Michigan, Dig Michigan Features, History & Libraries, Lansing, Media, Michigan, Recreation & Sports, Shopping, Sports, The Michigan Pages | Comments (0)

Motoring through Michigan's snow

February 19, 2009 – 8:47 am

Snow Plow by Seeking Michigan
As the wind howls through the state this morning, I thought it might be a good time to shovel out a few stories - you can see a photo a snowplow in Bessemer from the Archives of Michigan over on Michigan in Pictures this morning!
Last week mLive reported that the Saginaw [...]

By farlane | Also posted in Articles, Blogs & Forums, Books & Magazines, Community, Dig Michigan, Government, History & Libraries, Media, Michigan, Motorcycles, Snowmobiles & ATVs, Offbeat, Photo, Photography & Film, Recreation & Sports, Saginaw, The Michigan Pages | Comments (0)

Michigan History: Five Decades with Bob Seger (Pssst, music always makes a great gift)

December 11, 2008 – 11:42 am

If there is a single word to describe the musical career of Bob Seger it is “durable.” For almost fifty years, Seger has been writing, playing and singing rock ‘n roll tunes-everything from hard-driving rock to tender ballads.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1945, Seger moved to Ann Arbor as a young boy. He began singing [...]

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Michigan History: Where the Model T Began

November 17, 2008 – 1:17 pm

6 seater Model T - b&w by LindaB.
Jerald Mitchell calls the Ford Motor Company's Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit "a fulcrum point of human history [where] the balance of history shifted." It was at this factory in Detroit that Henry Ford and his cohorts conceived the Model T automobile. For nine months, these men labored [...]

By farlane | Also posted in Articles, Business, Cars, Trucks & Other Vehicles, Community, Detroit, Dig Michigan, History & Libraries, Industry & Manufacturing, Michigan, The Michigan Pages, The Michigan Pages: History | Comments (0)

Michigan History: A wok down memory lane with La Choy

October 7, 2008 – 12:47 pm

As America began its experiment with Prohibition in the early 1920s, some Michiganians concocted illegal spirits in their bathtubs. However, at least one Detroiter reportedly used his bathtub to grow bean sprouts. From such modest beginnings sprang the Chinese food brand La Choy.
The origins of La Choy can be traced to Ilhan New, a native [...]

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Michigan History: A Resort Called Blaney

August 26, 2008 – 10:36 am

Blaney Park Dude Ranch by smartee_martee
Travelers who turn off US 2 and head north on M-77 for the Seney Wildlife Refuge, Munising or Marquette quickly pass a group of buildings on either side of the road. These buildings, while still in apparently good repair, go largely unused. There is little indication they were once part [...]

By Absolute Michigan | Also posted in Articles, Books & Magazines, Community, Destinations, Dig Michigan, Dig Michigan Features, History & Libraries, Lodging & Travel, Media, Michigan, The Michigan Pages, UP | Comments (1)

Michigan History: At the Top of Michigan–The Village of Copper Harbor

August 12, 2008 – 4:34 pm

copper harbor fisherman by Michphotog
Jutting out into the cold, blue waters of Lake Superior is the rugged and picturesque coast of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Better known as the “Copper Country,” this land of scenic beauty was endowed by nature with a treasure trove of pure, native copper. At the tip of this northernmost part of [...]

By Absolute Michigan | Also posted in Articles, Books & Magazines, Community, Destinations, Dig Michigan, Dig Michigan Features, History & Libraries, Lodging & Travel, Media, Michigan, The Michigan Pages, UP | Comments (1)