In 1825, two government surveyors platting the southwest Michigan territory engaged in a small skirmish with two Native Americans. With a humorous nod, the surveyors gave the name Battle Creek to the river where this encounter took place. A few years later, a group of entrepreneurs, led by Sands McCamly, established a milling community and named it after the river. Thus the city of Battle Creek had its start. Over the following 170 years, it has grown into a thriving community of culture and character. This book uses historical photos and rare illustrations to trace Battle Creek's chronological development, from its water-powered mills, its railroads and factories, and its identity as a major stop on the Underground Railroad to its eventual pre-eminence as the "Cereal City."

The history of Michigan is a fascinating story of breathtaking geography enriched by an abundant water supply, of bold fur traders and missionaries who developed settlements that grew into major cities, of ingenious entrepreneurs who established thriving industries, and of celebrated cultural icons like the Motown sound. It is also the story of the exploitation of Native Americans, racial discord that resulted in a devastating riot, and ongoing tensions between employers and unions. Michigan: A History of Explorers, Entrepreneurs, and Everyday People recounts this colorful past and the significant role the state has played in shaping the United States. Well-researched and engagingly written, the book spans from Michigan’s geologic formation to important 21st-century developments in a concise but detailed chronicle that will appeal to general readers, scholars, and students interested in Michigan’s past, present, and future.

Rediscover the simple pleasures of a day trip with Day Trips from Chicago. This guide is packed with hundreds of exciting things for locals and vacationers to do, see, and discover within a two-hour drive of the Chicago metro area. With full trip-planning information, Day Trips from Chicago helps makes the most of a brief getaway.

Rediscover the simple pleasures of a day trip with Day Trips from Chicago. This guide is packed with hundreds of exciting things for locals and vacationers to do, see, and discover within a two-hour drive of the Chicago metro area. With full trip-planning information, Day Trips from Chicago helps makes the most of a brief getaway.