Grand Rapids (Mich.) -- History
Subject
Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Found in 385 Collections and/or Records:
Campau family papers
Collection
Identifier: Collection 214
Abstract
Louis Campau (1791-1871) was a fur trader and is credited as the founder of Grand Rapids, Michigan. This collection contains documents by and about Louis and several other members of the Campau family. Included are documents associated with Louis; his wife Sophie; his three brothers, Antione, George and Touissant and his newphew Antoine. There is also some correspondence between Caroline (Mrs. James) Campbell and Adolphe Campau. The collection contains original, typescript and facsimile...
Dates:
1830-1922
Found in:
Grand Rapids History Center
/
Campau family papers
Capt. Charles Eugene Belknap collection
Collection
Identifier: Collection 300
Abstract
Captain Charles Eugene Belknap (1846-1929) was a veteran of the Civil War and a well-known politician, businessman, fireman and historian from Grand Rapids, Michigan. This devised collection brings together several small accessions of material related to Belknap. The bulk of the collection consists of Belknap's writings on local history, usually handwritten copies. Also included is biographical information, correspondence, ephemera, a few photographs and programs from the dedication of the...
Dates:
circa 1860-2007; Majority of material found within 1860 - 1931
Carl Bajema Michigan History collection
Collection
Identifier: Collection 488
Abstract
This collection contains primarily newspaper clippings compiled by Carl Bajema, a retired Professor of Biology, over the course of 53 years, with the majority being done between 1985 and 2018. Arranged by subject into binders, these clippings cover a number of topics relevant to the history of Grand Rapids, as well as the rest of Michigan and portions of neighboring states. While the subjects in the collection vary, the majority are related to natural resources, environmental history,...
Dates:
1830 - 2000
Caroline P. Campbell papers
Collection
Identifier: Collection 123
Abstract
Caroline P. Campbell (1859-1926) was a civic leader in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She worked with organizations such as the YWCA, Michigan State Federation of Arts, American Red Cross and Historical Society of Grand Rapids and was an active supporter of the Grand Rapids Public Library. Her participation and membership in these and other societies are documented here through correspondence, newspaper articles, pamphlets, photos and programs. Included is information on various...
Dates:
1777-1934
Catherine (Kay) Swanlund postcards and photos and Colby family memorabilia
Collection
Identifier: Collection 089
Abstract
This collection is named for its donor, Catherine (Kay) Swanlund (1911-2001). The bulk of the materials here represent her postcard collecting interests, including Grand Rapids views from 1890-1985. Shown are streets, churches, parks, hospitals, and businesses. Also found is a section of Grand Rapids business cards, 1870-1940. Documents and photographs found in the collection provide personal and family history. A Colby Genealogy is included, as well as photos of the Colby family and a...
Dates:
1890-1985, n.d.
Central High School/Grand Rapids High School collection
Collection
Identifier: Collection 178
Abstract
Central High School, also known in the early years as Grand Rapids High School, was opened in 1859 and remained the only high school building in Grand Rapids, Michigan until Union High School was built in 1897. In 1979 a history class at Central High School, with guidance from history teacher Ed Merizon, took on the task of documenting Central High School's history and their work produced this collectionThe collection includes a comprehensive set of the Helios, the school...
Dates:
1870-1993; Majority of material found within 1979 - 1980
Charles E. Wilde papers
Collection
Identifier: Collection 465
Abstract
Charles E. Wilde moved to Grand Rapids, Mich. in 1904 to become the district commercial manager of West Michigan for the Michigan Bell Telephone Company. He is partly responsible for bringing widespread telephone service to West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Wilde worked for Michigan Bell for fifty years and was an important member of Grand Rapids society.
Dates:
1884 - 1950
Found in:
Grand Rapids History Center
/
Charles E. Wilde papers
Charles H. Bender correspondence
Collection
Identifier: Collection 024
Abstract
Charles H. Bender (1860-1936) was a well-known Grand Rapids banker. The collection consists of humorous incoming and outgoing letters of Bender. The letters relate to a practical joke instigated by Frederick W. Stevens, a friend of Bender and a nationally known lawyer, diplomat and financier. The practical jokes pertain to Bender's refusal to run for the governorship on the Democratic ticket and his return from a tour of Europe.
Dates:
1917, 1923
Charles W. Darling photographs
Collection
Identifier: Collection 184
Abstract
Charles W. Darling (1889-1971) was the City Engineer and later Director of Public Services for Grand Rapids, Michigan. The images in this collection show some of the projects supervised by the city engineering department while Darling was on its staff. The photographs depict road improvement projects during the late 1920s and early 1930s, such as the widening of Division Avenue and the reconstruction of the Pearl Street and Fulton Street bridges. Also included are details of road...
Dates:
1922-1940
Charles W. Garfield papers
Collection
Identifier: Collection 394
Abstract
The Charles W. Garfield papers were donated to the Grand Rapids Public Library History and Special Collections department by Elinor P. White, a relative of Charles Garfield. The collection consists of several portraits and photographs of the Garfield family, including a scrapbook of photographs of the family farm and a small album of personal photographs. The collection also includes a few personal papers and a memory book from an event held in honor of Charles Garfield at the Pantlind Hotel...
Dates:
1896-1939