All Episodes - Michigan Hidden History

The Mic is Back (And So Am I!)

After a year-long mic mishap, Tharan’s back with updates, big plans, and a fresh promise to finally stick with the podcast. Let’s try this... again!

Unveiling the Legacy: Ella Sharp, the Woman Behind the Museum

Dive into the story of Ella Sharp, a remarkable woman who turned a family farm into a cherished museum and park, leaving a lasting impact on her community. This episode explores her passion for conservation, community building, and the incredible legacy she leaves behind.

One Room School Houses still Operate in MIchigan?

This one-room schoolhouse served the community for a long time. The McCain family has been in the United States since 1770, and there are how many one-room schoolhouses still in Michigan.

Camp Blair

Hold onto your kepis, history lovers! We're drilling into the heart of the Civil War to uncover Camp Blair, Michigan's secret weapon. This wasn't just a military outpost; it was a crucible that forged raw recruits into battlefield heroes and a sanctuary that soothed the wounds of returning soldiers. Imagine the stories whispered by these very grounds – tales of bravery, resilience, and the unwavering spirit of a nation divided.

Update on Podcast

Season 4 is coming in hot at the end of April.

History of the Democratic Party

The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States. It was founded in 1828 and has a long and complex history, including periods of dominance and decline. This podcast explores the party's history from its origins to the present day.

Under the Oaks- The Founding of the Republican Party

Come find out about one of two major political parties in the United States and how it was founded in Jackson Michigan and not Ripon Wisconsin.

Austin Blair

Austin Blair was a controversial figure during his lifetime, but he is now remembered as one of the most important figures in Michigan history. He was a strong advocate for civil rights and equality, and he played a key role in the Union victory in the Civil War.

Jacksonburg Public Square and First Methodist Episcopal Church

What happens when your villiage maybe choosen for the new capital of Michigan and learn about how consumers energy is involved in a church's activities.

Horace Ismon

Learn about this important Jackson Business Man.

Seymour Treadwell

Learn about the founder of the Republican Party. 

Abolitionist In Jackson

Learn about the different abolitionist movements in Jackson and about the history behind the Kansas- Nebraska act. 

First Congregational Church and St Marys Star of the Sea Church

Learn how the First congregational church supported the social causes of the 1800s and 1900s. Learn about the St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church 

Michigan's First Prison

I explore the first prison gang in Michigan History and the history of Michigan's first Prison in 1838. Sources Gang Violence and Crime · Daily Life · States of Incarceration: Michigan (msu.edu) The Old State Prison in Jackson - Lost In Michigan

The Three Church's in Jackson

I went to Jackson, Michigan, for a job interview at JPS after going on a historical marker tour and found a lot of markers to share with you all. The first of these are three churches. St. Johns, St Pauls, and the first baptist. Learn about their incredible histories.

City of Birmingham Michigan

Learn in this short episode how the City of Birmingham became a city.  Source: Birmingham, MI (bhamgov.org)

Academy of Sacred Heart and Pontiac's War

Find out how Pontiac's War is related to the Academy of Scared Heart and changed the course in American History 

Kresge Foundation with Mario Spica

Learn about how Kmart boomed and busted. We talk about our memories in Kmart. Also, learn the future of shopping. I go on another teaching rant about what should be taught in schools. Sorry, not Sorry. The teacher got to do what the teacher got to do. Answer the question below, and in a few weeks, when I think there are enough responses, I will read them on the podcast. Sources Kresge, Sebastian S. | Detroit Historical Society city village 2020.xlsx (michigan.gov)

Greenwood Cemetery with Mario Spica

Learn about a double homicide and how it formed the Greenwood cemetery. My guest Mario and I went off topic but kind of relate back to the podcast topic.  Sorry, I go on a teaching rant.  Sources Looking Back: Birmingham’s first murders in 1825 (candgnews.com) Who saved the Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington from the White House before it was burned in 1814? - White House Historical Association (whitehousehistory.org)

Fred Baker/ Saginaw Trail and John Almon Starr House

Learn about Fred Bakers' house, John Almon Starr and where his descendants live, and about the Saginaw Trail.  I tell a story about Fred Baker's house marker.

Louis Kamper

I go off on a tangent and connect the era that Louis Kamper is living to what is going on now in today's world with covid. I think the connection is cool. Also learn about Louis Kamper and how he affected the hotel business with his out of the world ideas for the time.  This is my source: Historic Detroit

Orson Starr Home and Roseland Park Cemetery and Mausoleum

Who is Orson Starr and is it true that his cowbells are prized collector's items also. Which cemetery had the largest mausoleum in 1914? Find all that and more in this episode.  Sources: Our History | Roseland Park Cemetery | Berkley MI funeral home and cremation

Royal Oak Methodist Church and Ridge Road

Learn who built the Royal Oak Methodist Church and also about the church itself.  Ridge Road was a Native American Footpath so learn more about it here. I give you a life update. 

Royal Oak Womens Club

Know about the fabulous Royal Oak Women's Club.  Here are my sources: History — Royal Oak Woman's Club (rowc.org) Royal Oak Woman’s Club launches fundraiser to save historic clubhouse (candgnews.com) Here is the link for their Facebook page: Royal Oak Woman's Club | Facebook

First Baptist Church of Royal Oak

Learn about the amazing history of the First Baptist Church of Royal Oak. 

Update

I will be back on January 3. I will be releasing new episodes every week after that.

Gros Cap, St Helena Island and Lake Michigan

Learn about a lighthouse on St. Helana Island and about who "discovered" Lake Michigan and how he died. 

US Army Dearborn/Detroit Arsenal

Learn about the former site of the US Army Arsenal in Dearborn, Michigan, and about the first commandment officer there. 

History of Romeo

Learn about the place I want to teach and live in because it is the perfect place. This is the history of the village of Romeo.

Flint Pere Marquette Railroad

Learn about a railroad that had over 70 million dollars in profit selling land and goes files for modern-day chapter 11 a few years later. 

Simpson Park Campground

Who is the park named after and learn how he helped President Lincoln with the third most important document in American history behind the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. 

Loren Andrus and his very famous Octagon House

Who is Loren and why did he build this strange house find out in this episode. 

German settlers in Michigan

Learn which settlements are German and of the two reverends that helped each other. 

Frankenmuth Woolen Mill

Learn about the oldest continuous wool mill here in Michigan. Also, you can learn how wool turns into a quilt or bedding and what is wool batting? Phone number: 989-652-6555 Sources: Our Story | American Wool | Frankenmuth Woolen Mill (wool-bedding.com) ‘Healthy bedding’ demand fuels growth of 127-year-old Frankenmuth Woolen Mill – tuscolatoday.com

History of Warren

Learn about how Warren went from a small corner in the 1800's to the third largest city in population in Michigan in the 2000's. 

Murthem-Vander Vlucht House and Village/Eckstein Park

Learn about a house that is next to the Warren Community Center and a person named George Eckstein.  

The Joiner House , Wilson- Bosh Home, and Red Run Creek

Learn about two homes and how a Creek was used to dry out the land. 

5520 Chicago Road and First Baptist Church of Warren

Learn about the history behind the address 5520 Chicago Rd and about an original building from the 1850s in Warren Michigan. 

St. Paul United Church of Christ and Hoard House

Learn about a german church and a hoarder that lives in a house. Know you are probably thinking about whether they would make a marker on that. If you said no you are correct. If you said yes that is also correct because it is on a person with the last name Hoard. Learn about his house. 

Warren Village Hall and the Flynn House

I talk about the village hall of Warren and the Flynn House and who Flynn Family is and what they did. 

Claeys House, Grist Mill, and the Farm Bureau

In this episode, I talk about the Claeys house and HL Clayes, A old grist mill, and the 102-year history of the Farm Bureau.  Source Celebrating 100 Years of History - American Farm Bureau Federation (fb.org)

History of GM and Tech Center

Learn about the amazing Car Campany that survived 113 years and a bankruptcy.  Also, learn about the famed GM Tech center.  Sources: General Motors | History, Deals, & Facts | Britannica A Brief History Of General Motors Corp. | Manufacturing.net

Alex Groesbeck

Learn about the 30th governor of Michigan and listen to a 2-star review at the end of the podcast episode.  Sources:  https://www.nga.org/governor/alexander-joseph-groesbeck/

Rawsonville Village

Learn about Ghost town #2 this time on the east side of the state of Michigan, and learn about the Detroit Edison Energy Company, or we call it DTE, in this episode.  Sources Jeremy J. Siegel, Stocks for the Long Run, McGraw-Hill, Second Edition, 1998, ISBN 0-07-058043-X North American Co. v. Securities and Exchange Commission, 327 U.S. 686 (1946). FindLaw.com Standard & Poor's Stock Guide, April 1996

Elizabeth Dennison Forth

The first black women to own property in the United States. Learn Who she bought the land from and how he is connected to the Paint Creek Trilogy. 

Paint Creek Cider Mill

We finished the Great Paint Creek Trilogy. Somehow it is all connected. We end the podcast talking about our lives and giving updates.  Here is the link to Rossetti's work: Architecture Case Studies + Work Samples | ROSSETTI  

Paint Creek Millrace

What is a millrace find out in this episode? I will give you a hint at it is not people racing in boats from mill to mill. How are Google and Fitbit stocks related to mill race find out on this podcast. 

Paint Creek Cemetery

There is a surprise at the end of the podcast. We talk about the people who owned the land Almon and Elvira Mack. Learn what is the Daughters of the American Revolution and about Lydia Barnes Potter.  Sources:  MACK Hon Almon.doc (rochesteravonhistoricalsociety.org) Meet Lydia – Lydia Barnes Potter Chapter NSDAR (michdar.net)

Lake Orion Methodist Church

Learn about one of the first Methodist church's in South eastern Michigan. Listen to   our elevator button stories. Sources: What is the definition of fellowship? (biblestudy.org) LOUMC History - United Methodist Church of Lake Orion (lakeorionumc.org)

Josh Predmore and his House

Learn about the coolest guy in Michigan History and what is his connection to President Lincoln assassination 

Carpenter Rudd Mill

Join Steve and I as we talk about one of the first mills in the village Lake Orion. What happened to it. 

Meadowbrook Hall and Oakland University

Join me Steven as we explore and tell you about the wonderful place of Meadowbrook hall how it became part of Oakland University

Mount Moriah and Stoney Creek Lodge

Learn about the Michigan Mason's society.  And you see me rollin.

Van Hoosen Farms Part 2

Learn about the first women in genatics and about the creater of scopolamine-morphine anesthesia I am not telling you which one did what you need to listen to the pod. Here are my sources: Changing the Face of Medicine | BerthaVan Hoosen (nih.gov) Animal husbandry | agriculture | Britannica Sarah Van Hoosen Jones Papers UA.1.1.3 (msu.edu)

Van Hoosen Farms Part 1

Learn about the price of cows!!!! Along with the structures of the Van Hoosen Farm. 

Stoney Creek Village and School

Join my new cohost Mario and I as we do a deep dive and take a detour from the topic of Stoney creek village and school. Here is my brother's newsletter: https://thejas.substack.com/p/rickety-rackety-bridge?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=copy The link is if you want to do the #childhood challenge 

History of Michigan Politics

I brought on my friend Mario and we discuss the history of Michigan politics. From the different regions to the state-to-state house and senate and everything in between. Here are my sources: https://www.270towin.com/news/2020/08/31/the-road-270-michigan_1091.html https://www.270towin.com/states/Michigan https://www.statista.com/statistics/1130582/michigan-electoral-votes-since-1836/

New Buffalo Welcome Center and The Interstate System

I talk about the nation's first welcome center in Michigan and the Eisenhower Interstate System. Sources: https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/interstate-highway-system https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dwight-D-Eisenhower https://www.ereferencedesk.com/resources/state-facts/michigan.html The last one has a bunch of Michigan's first that I did not include in my podcast. 

Polar Bears

Learn about the polar bears in Michigan and not the ones you find in the zoo. 

Wattles Family

Sounds just like the Addams family because in my head the Addams family theme song is going on throughout this episode. That is beside the point learn about why they are important along with Cows, how the Irish were treated and about Herman Keifer Hospital. 

History of Troy

Learn about the History of Troy and how it became a city through a shady business dealing My source: https://www.troyhistoricvillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/THESIS-FINAL4-4-04.pdf

Troy Historic Greens

Learn about the buildings and how people lived in Troy Township when it was first built. The source was the 365 stories on the Troy Historical Village site.

Barn Church

Learn about a barn church in Michigan the only one in southeastern Michigan I think. The information on the barn church comes from the Troy Historical Society. I like to refer it as the Society.

Holland City Hall/Firehouse no2 and Town of Singapore

Learn about Holland City Hall/fire station and the devesting events that made a whole town disappear. 

Story of my Life

This is birthday special we go from birth to current events of your podcast host me.

History of Public Schools in Michigan and US

Mario and I discuss the history of public education in Michigan and the US in this special one hour episode.

Felt Mansion

Is this mansion haunted? How does it tie into calculators? Why is it called Felt Mansion? Find out in this episode as we explore this mansion and who lived here. https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/michigan/spooky-mansion-mi/

Saugatuck Pump House

Learn about a pump house that was built in the 1900s. What is a pump house find out in this episode

Holcombe Beach

How does a beach have a historical marker and what is the significance and can we see it all of these questions are answered and a deep dive of the Paleo Indians.

Yates Cider Mill and Clinton- Kalamazoo Canal

Learn about the history of the famous Yates Cider Mill and the not so famous and failed project of the Clinton Kalamazoo Canal. 

History of Rochester Part 2

Not as exciting as part 1 but what do you expect from a squeal learn about the rest of History of Rochester from 1890- present. 

History of Rochester Part 1

Learn about the history of Rochester from its founding to the formation of a formal fire department. 

Michigan and the American Revolutionary war 1620-1805

Find out the cool History of the state of Michigan during the American Revolutionary war in this special Fourth of July Episode.  Resources: https://www.mlive.com/news/g66l-2019/07/e98dfcceb54452/we-all-know-about-1776-but-whats-the-story-of-michigans-birth.html https://www.census.gov/history/pdf/c2010br-10.pdf https://detroithistorical.org/learn/timeline-detroit/british-detroit-1760-1787 https://www.cmich.edu/library/clarke/ResearchResources/Michigan_Material_Local/Detroit_Pre_statehood_Descriptions/A_Brief_History_of_Detroit/Pages/The-American-Revolution.aspx

Packard Car Company

What there are another car company and one that I did not hear of. Find out the fate of the Packard Car Company

History of Sterling Heights

Find out about my hometown of sterling heights.

Upton House

My surprise is that my friend Steve and I  have a nice conversation about the history of William Upton and the Upton House and how it falls into the hands of the City of Sterling Heights.

Utica Cemetery

Learn About the Utica Cemetery and the first person buried in the cemetery

St. Lawrence Parish and Church

Find out about the St. Lawrence Parish and the history. 

Utica Nike Base and Spring Hill Farm

Utica defense for Detroit during the cold war. Who owned the land that River bend park in Shelby Township is now on?

Michigan Hidden History (Trailer)