Before Beer City: Louis Campau & the Founding of Grand Rapids

Long before breweries and bridges, Grand Rapids began with a journey. In honor of the city’s 200th anniversary, we trace Louis Campau’s path from Detroit to the west side of Michigan, exploring how trade, travel, and perseverance led to the founding of Grand Rapids. It’s a richer, more nuanced story than fur trading alone, and one that shaped the city we know today.

NOW PLAYING

0:00 39:11

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

24 - French Open 1989 (Part 1): Roses, Grunts, and the Making of a Rivalry

Mar 18, 2026 ·22m

23 - Steffi Graf’s Spring 1989: Dominance and Distractions

Mar 14, 2026 ·23m

22 - Monica Seles’s Breakthrough Spring

Mar 11, 2026 ·16m

21 - Heat, Headlines & Steffi’s Perfection: 1989 Australian Open Recap

Mar 7, 2026 ·13m

20 - 1989 Begins: Graf’s Reign, Seles’s Rise, and the Future of Women’s Tennis

Mar 4, 2026 ·16m

19 - After the Pinnacle: Graf’s Golden Slam & Seles’ Arrival

Feb 28, 2026 ·14m

Similar Podcasts

Modern Day Modern Day Weekly convos between Emma Lembke and Jules Terpak Hiking Grand Canyon This series contains great information for those who will be hiking the Grand Canyon. A variety of topics are discussed, including safety measures to take, camping suggestions, and how to preserve the canyon. A Grand Illusion Henrik Flyman (Wavlake) Composed, written, performed and produced by Henrik Flyman. The History of China Podcast Ibnul Jaif Farabi / Light Knot Studios What does the world's oldest continuous civilization, with over 3,000 years of recorded history, have to teach us about power, philosophy, innovation, and human nature? "The History of China Podcast" delivers the epic saga of China in accessible, daily chapters, transforming a vast and complex past into a compelling narrative you can absorb in just minutes a day.This show chronicles the full sweep of China's story, from the mythical Xia Dynasty to the rise of the modern superpower. We explore the dazzling heights of Tang poetry and Song technology, the brutal calculus of Legalist statecraft, and the quiet wisdom of Daoist sages. Each episode focuses on a pivotal event, a transformative figure, or a defining idea—whether it's the construction of the Great Wall, the mind of Empress Wu, or the invention of paper money—weaving them into the grand tapestry of the dynastic cycle. The tone is authoritative yet vividly human, making emperors, poets, and peasants alike feel immediate and real.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Grand Convos?

This episode is 39 minutes long.

When was this Grand Convos episode published?

This episode was published on February 24, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this Grand Convos episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!