This collection was put together by Gordon Olson and Reid Holland, for Urban Concern, which published the book. The purpose of the project was to look at the history of Grand Rapids, look at the changes that were currently taking place in 1981 and to examine the future of Grand Rapids. It was started in 1979, by a group of diverse Grand Rapids citizens. They got together in a series of town meetings at Fountain Street Church. The product of these meetings was the book and photographs included here.

Some photographs included here were commissioned for the project and are seen in the book. The photographers were Wes Morton, Michael Green, Gary Kwapil, James Knack and others. Not all of the photographs used in the book, however, are included in the collection. The bulk of the photographs in the collection depict “present-day” 1981 Grand Rapids. However, there is one photo of archaeological relics and also one of the skeleton of Rix Robinson's horse.

The published photographs depict items and scenes dating back as far as 100 B.C., and include maps and drawings, as well as photos of actual scenes. These provide an historical context for the geographical setting, which eventually became Grand Rapids. Several images show Grand Rapids citizens, ca. 1981.

The book contains a series of essays by Grand Rapids experts, with a foreword by Gordon Olson, City Historian. The introduction is by Gerald Elliott and an afterword is by Reid Holland.