Looking Back

Published March 13, 2019

Oakland Township kicks off bicentennial with doughnuts

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — Two hundred years ago, on March 16, mill builders Benjamin Woodworth and William Russell purchased 160 acres of land on the Paint Creek, near Dutton and Livernois roads.

Published March 12, 2019

Grosse Pointe Times

Foundation honors late Grosse Pointe Farms police officer

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — St. Patrick’s Day 1975 was just an ordinary day for Grosse Pointe Farms Police Department officer Kenneth Gordon Pine. The 30-year-old Pine, who had been with the department for five years, was conducting a traffic investigation in the area of Mack Avenue and Elizabeth Court around 10:20 p.m. March 17.

Published March 12, 2019

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

A trip back to Jacobson’s department store kicks off lecture series

BIRMINGHAM — Sure, the scene in downtown Detroit was hopping a generation ago as shoppers dashed between famous department stores like J.L. Hudson’s, Ernst Kern Co. and R.H. Fyfe & Co.

Published February 26, 2019

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Looking Back: Ponies and love in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM — At Watkins’ Pony Farm in Birmingham, Fenton and Florence Watkins would take ponies from the farm over to Boblo Island every summer, and all three of their children were born during those summers on the island. Their relationship actually began because of those same Shetland ponies.

Published February 26, 2019

Royal Oak Review

John Almon Starr house sold to local financial planning group

ROYAL OAK — On Feb. 4, Royal Oak-based Hoover & Associates purchased the historical John Almon Starr building, 3123 Crooks Road, south of 13 Mile Road, from the Law Office of Chisholm & Shuttie.

Published February 19, 2019

Rochester Post

Looking Back: Michigan Central Railroad

ROCHESTER — People lounge in the grass next to a derailed train on the Michigan Central Railroad. Based on the clothes worn by the women, officials from the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm say this photo was likely taken during the 1910s.

Published February 12, 2019

Royal Oak Review

Royal Oak Historical Society’s newest exhibit to focus on women at work

ROYAL OAK — The Royal Oak Historical Society Museum volunteers are hard at work preparing their latest exhibit, “A Woman’s Work is Never Done.”

Published February 6, 2019

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Preserving history, one building at a time

FRANKLIN — The unique character and charm of Franklin depends upon the preservation of its historical buildings, according to village officials. Franklin was first settled in 1824, and many of its downtown buildings date from that era. Currently, the Franklin Historic District provides a collection of buildings, streets, trees and landscape features that encompass the village’s historical core.

Published February 6, 2019

Rochester Post

Looking Back: Rochester National Bank

ROCHESTER — Constructed in 1924 at the southwest corner of Fourth and Main streets, the locally owned Rochester National Bank was the only Rochester bank to survive one of the worst banking crises of the Great Depression.

Published January 29, 2019

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Looking Back: Tips for thrifty traveling in the 1930s

BIRMINGHAM — What’s the best vacation you’ve ever gone on? In the Birmingham Museum collections are scrapbooks and postcards from lots of vacations, but nothing as extensive as the photos and documents from the adventures of Marjorie Unger, a resident of 327 Ferndale Ave. in Birmingham, who traveled with two friends to Europe.

A Donut Dolly, Rochester Hills resident Joan Puffer Kotcher, stands on patrol in a breakfast line during the Vietnam War.

Published January 17, 2019

West Bloomfield Beacon

Decades of history to be celebrated with Historical Society events

WEST BLOOMFIELD — The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society is celebrating its 45-year history in style this year with a number of activities that will engage local history buffs.

Published January 4, 2019

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

Looking Back: Dyer’s Riding Stables

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Much of the early history of St. Clair Shores is rooted in agriculture and trades related to the land. With affluence increasing in the 20th century, some of the more practical farm pastimes were taken up by people able to afford leisure pursuits. One of these activities was horseback riding.

Published December 21, 2018

Rochester Post

Looking Back: E.A. Hudson’s

ROCHESTER — In the Dec. 18, 1914, issue of the Rochester ERA newspaper, the local grocer, Edwin A. Hudson, advertised his holiday eats. The advertisement states that “Hudson’s ‘Eats’ are always just a little better than the other fellow’s, but this fact stands out a little more prominent at this season of the year.”

Published December 19, 2018

Roseville - Eastpointe Eastsider

Roseville celebrates 60th anniversary with message board dedication

ROSEVILLE — Roseville is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a permanent reminder of a former landmark, the Gratiot Drive In, and some of those with fond memories of the drive-in were on hand for a dedication ceremony Dec. 18.

Published December 14, 2018

Roseville - Eastpointe Eastsider

New Roseville message board honors Gratiot Drive In memories

ROSEVILLE — The 115-foot-tall sign that marked the entrance of the Gratiot Drive In was an iconic Roseville landmark until it was torn down in 1984. Now the sign is being commemorated in conjunction with the celebration of the city’s 60th anniversary.

Published December 5, 2018

Rochester Post

Looking Back: Rochester YMCA

ROCHESTER — This photo from the archives of the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm shows Rochester YMCA members on the steps of the Masonic Temple building at 318 Walnut Blvd.

Published December 4, 2018

Grosse Pointe Times

In its 90th year, Music Hall honors its past and a Detroit music icon

DETROIT — Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts is marking its 90th anniversary by celebrating its storied early history while also acknowledging its more recent past.

Published November 30, 2018

Mount Clemens - Clinton - Harrison Journal

Looking Back: The Barney family

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — The Barneys were among the first residents of Harrison Township to settle on one of the islands at the end of South River Road.

Published November 23, 2018

Mount Clemens - Clinton - Harrison Journal

Historical steam engine returns home to Mount Clemens

MOUNT CLEMENS — A historical steam engine that once played a role in the city’s bath houses has returned to Mount Clemens.

Published November 16, 2018

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Bicentennial year to wrap up with time capsule presentation

BIRMINGHAM — Christmastime in Birmingham is always special. But this year’s festivities will be a little more memorable, since they will serve as the conclusion of the city’s yearlong bicentennial celebration.