Michigan Hidden History

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We all see the historical markers in the great state of Michigan so what do they mean and what significance did Michigan play in US history

Tharan Komarraju Suvarna


    • May 25, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 17m AVG DURATION
    • 86 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Michigan Hidden History

    Love, War, and Real Estate: The Wing House Museum

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2025 6:31


    This week on Michigan Hidden History, we tour Coldwater's Wing House Museum—a home built for love, sold out of spite, and inherited by a Civil War hero turned cigar mogul. It's a story full of failed romance, steam-powered explosions, and bold real estate moves. Come for the Victorian architecture, stay for the marital drama and historical pettiness.

    Courthouse Chaos and Cabinet Gossip

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2025 7:45


    Branch County's history has it all — flaming courthouses, clock drama, and 1830s Cabinet scandals. From New England settlers to a $267 bell and clock deal, this episode proves Coldwater's past is anything but boring.

    “Books, Bricks, and Girlbosses: Coldwater's Library Glow-Up”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2025 8:33


    Before Coldwater had a public library with award-winning masonry and historic district bragging rights, it had a team of absolute legends building it from the ground up—literally. In this episode, we're talking sassy librarians, early feminist wins, and why Coldwater's literary legacy is giving main character energy. Stick around for a teaser about next week's dive into the drama of Branch County.

    Steeples & Suffragists: The Church That Outshined Coldwater

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2025 7:47


    What do you get when you mix a 185-foot steeple, a Civil War construction delay, a lecture from Sojourner Truth, and a bell with New York swagger? You get the First Presbyterian Church of Coldwater — a Romanesque Revival legend that's been standing tall (literally) since the 1860s. In this episode, we're diving into Coldwater's architectural pride, feminist guest stars, and why one donor basically said, “Build it big enough to be seen from Indiana.” Church has never sounded this iconic.

    The Billionaire Snub: How Quincy Picked Heart Over Hype

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2025 6:40


    When two rich guys offered to build Quincy a library — one of them being Andrew Carnegie — the town went with the humble local hero instead. Find out why in this surprisingly funny tale of pride, paperbacks, and public shaming.

    Feuds, Trains, and Skyscrapers: The Spicy History of Jackson, MI

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2025 9:33


    Join Tharan Suvarna as he takes you on a deep dive into the rich—and sometimes spicy—history of Jackson, Michigan. From feuding pioneers to booming railroads and skyscraper disasters, this episode reveals the untold stories behind one of Michigan's most intriguing cities. You won't want to miss this wild ride through time!

    The Mic is Back (And So Am I!)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2025 2:32


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2024 8:43


    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?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2024 26:56


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2024 7:48


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 2:09


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

    History of the Democratic Party

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2023 21:35


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2023 23:30


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 14:08


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2022 5:20


    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. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Horace Ismon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2022 4:44


    Learn about this important Jackson Business Man.

    Seymour Treadwell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2022 6:44


    Learn about the founder of the Republican Party.

    Abolitionist In Jackson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2022 18:31


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

    abolitionists kansas nebraska
    First Congregational Church and St Marys Star of the Sea Church

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2022 9:08


    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 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Michigan's First Prison

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2022 13:59


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2022 12:41


    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. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    City of Birmingham Michigan

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2022 16:28


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

    birmingham birmingham michigan
    Academy of Sacred Heart and Pontiac's War

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 12:07


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2022 48:39


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2022 56:53


    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) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Fred Baker/ Saginaw Trail and John Almon Starr House

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 27:28


    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. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Louis Kamper

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2022 11:37


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2022 12:21


    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 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Royal Oak Methodist Church and Ridge Road

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2022 9:18


    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. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Royal Oak Womens Club

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2022 8:29


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2022 7:54


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

    Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2021 0:58


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 12:34


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

    US Army Dearborn/Detroit Arsenal

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2021 17:26


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

    History of Romeo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2021 17:53


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2021 19:27


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2021 10:42


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2021 13:40


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

    andrus octagon house
    German settlers in Michigan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2021 9:19


    Learn which settlements are German and of the two reverends that helped each other. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Frankenmuth Woolen Mill

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2021 12:32


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021 7:17


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 4:32


    Learn about a house that is next to the Warren Community Center and a person named George Eckstein. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

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

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2021 7:02


    Learn about two homes and how a Creek was used to dry out the land. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    5520 Chicago Road and First Baptist Church of Warren

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2021 4:51


    Learn about the history behind the address 5520 Chicago Rd and about an original building from the 1850s in Warren Michigan. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    St. Paul United Church of Christ and Hoard House

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2021 8:54


    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. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Warren Village Hall and the Flynn House

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2021 5:25


    I talk about the village hall of Warren and the Flynn House and who Flynn Family is and what they did. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Claeys House, Grist Mill, and the Farm Bureau

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2021 26:00


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2021 33:15


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2021 15:57


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2021 13:54


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2021 29:10


    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.

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