Looking Back

Published July 12, 2019

One of Roseville’s oldest businesses, Van’s Towing celebrates 70 years

ROSEVILLE — When Francis James Fronrath started Van’s Towing & Transport in 1949, he hoped his business would succeed, but he probably didn’t imagine it would still be going strong 70 years later.

Published July 5, 2019

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

Looking Back: Driscoll’s Steak House restaurant

ST. CLAIR SHORES — This building was built in the late 1880s on the west side of Jefferson Avenue at Labadie Road (now 10 Mile Road) on the Labadie family farm. It was used as a grocery store, operated at various times by both the Bennett and Labadie families, until it became Driscoll’s Steak House in the 1940s, as shown here.

Published June 26, 2019

Grosse Pointe Times

Grosse Pointe Shores City Hall makes history

GROSSE POINTE SHORES — Grosse Pointe Shores’ City Hall, at 795 Lake Shore Road, has been a notable part of the local landscape for more than 100 years, and it’s now getting recognition at the state level.

Published June 24, 2019

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Bloomfield Hills commission questions public safety nonprofit

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Did you know that three years ago, a nonprofit foundation was established to be a sort of booster club for the Bloomfield Hills Public Safety Department? The City Commission certainly didn’t know.

Published June 18, 2019

Royal Oak Review

Blast from the past: Lincoln Elementary time capsule opened

ROYAL OAK — In May 1965, 34 sixth graders at Lincoln Elementary School embarked on a project to preserve objects and memories from the era in a time capsule.

Published June 17, 2019

Royal Oak Review

Royal Oak marks centennial anniversary of women’s right to vote

ROYAL OAK — For many American women who have enjoyed the right to cast their ballots at the polls, it may seem hard to believe that such a right was only introduced 100 years ago.

Published June 17, 2019

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

Looking Back: Blue Star Mothers War Memorial in St. Clair Shores

ST. CLAIR SHORES — The Blue Star Mothers of America were organized in Flint, Michigan, on Feb. 2, 1942, as a patriotic service organization in response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Published June 5, 2019

Southfield Sun

Southfield looking into making Reynolds Aluminum a historical site

SOUTHFIELD — A midcentury staple on stilts may soon be designated as a historical site.

Published June 4, 2019

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Looking Back: Tracking down John O’Connell’s Grocery Store

BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Museum is often called upon to dig into Birmingham history, sometimes with unexpected results. Recently, a photo album was donated to the museum, and a bit of a mystery was inside. The album contained a photo of John O’Connell’s Grocery Store, a business located somewhere in Birmingham in the 1910s, but of which there is no record.

Published May 17, 2019

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

Looking Back: St. Clair Shores’ ‘duck’ boat

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Norm Goeschel is pictured in a DUKW boat in front of one of the St. Clair Shores fire stations in about 1958.

Published May 15, 2019

Rochester Post

Historical park improvements continue

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — As part of ongoing efforts to restore a historical farm, broken concrete will be replaced at Cranberry Lake Farm’s former dairy barn for a display of farm implements. In addition, a picnic area is under development near a stone barbecue built in the 1930s.

Published May 8, 2019

Royal Oak Review

Court unveils tribute to Royal Oak judge

ROYAL OAK — On April 23, the 44th District Court held a dedication ceremony for its recently renamed Judge Keith J. Leenhouts Probation Department.

A re-creation of traditional Potawatomi clothing is on display in an exhibit on the nation’s history in the Southfield area at the Southfield Historical Museum.

Published May 1, 2019

Southfield Sun

Historical Society to celebrate Southfield’s original residents

SOUTHFIELD — To celebrate the teachings and values of the indigenous people who first called Southfield home, the Southfield Historical Society is hosting Potawatomi Culture Day.

Published April 30, 2019

Woodward Talk

Pleasant Ridge auction and gala to kick off centennial celebration

PLEASANT RIDGE — On Saturday, May 18, the Pleasant Ridge Foundation will host its annual auction and gala, which also will serve as the kickoff to the city’s celebration of its centennial.

Published April 30, 2019

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Looking Back: Sleepy serenade

BIRMINGHAM — During Alta Ford’s teen and young adult years in the late 1800s, it was a tradition in the village of Birmingham for young men to serenade young women. Afterward, the young women would invite them inside for refreshments.

Published April 26, 2019

Sterling Heights Sentry

Sentry stands guard for 30 years

STERLING HEIGHTS — Much can happen over the span of three decades. And throughout those years, the Sterling Heights Sentry has watched and documented what has occurred within its territory.

Published April 24, 2019

Rochester Post

Looking Back: The Morse block

ROCHESTER — These two photos show the Morse block of Rochester’s Main Street in the 1940s and in 2018.

Published April 22, 2019

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

Looking Back: Harper Avenue businesses

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Reid’s Drugs was located at 25100 Harper Ave. in St. Clair Shores, at 10 Mile Road.

Published April 3, 2019

Troy Times

SMZ Advertising celebrates 90 years of family dynamics in Troy

TROY — To mark the milestone, SMZ will host a benefit for the Children’s Center of Detroit, create a company time capsule and celebrate with a summertime party.

Published March 26, 2019

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Looking Back: Birmingham’s first Peabody-owned business

BIRMINGHAM — Birmingham has had a lot of businesses carrying the Peabody family name throughout its history. Many still mourn the closure of Peabody’s Restaurant, which grew out of Peabody’s Market, which in turn grew out of a family-run fruit stand.