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,...

Abstract The Grand Rapids Public Library railroads collection contains various items related to railroading, primarily in Western Michigan, which do not fit in the other collections covering specific railway lines. Included are a wide range of company instruments issued by various railroads from circa 1837-1960, including also interurban and trolley lines. Railroad company documents include timetables, stock certificates, tickets, advertising, locomotive drawings and a few photographs. Also included...

Abstract The Grand Rapids Railway Co. offered public transport within the city of Grand Rapids, as well as operating recreation areas such as Ramona Park. Once at the forefront of the streetcar industry, Grand Rapids Railway Co fell as a result of the Great Depression and the growth of the automobile industry. By 1935, the once modern streetcar company was phased out in favor of more cost efficient buses. In the 1937 court case, Grand Rapids Railway Co. sold it's assets and reorganized as Grand...

Abstract The Grand Rapids Railway records are primarily composed of contracts for various concessions at Ramona Park and/or Reeds Lake, at Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids, Michigan, between 1932-1950. The Company began development of Ramona Park in 1904 under President Benjamin S. Hanchett, in an effort to get more people to ride the streetcar, especially on the weekends. It retained interest in the park until it closed in 1954. The contracts found here are made between various individuals or...

Abstract

Street Railway Weekly, later Trolley Topics, was a periodical published by the Grand Rapids Railway Co., a nationally recognized leader in the street railway industry. It was designed for the use of the electric streetcar patrons of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Distributed at no cost, the pamphlet format combined jokes, facts, entertainment news and an editorial espousing the company line. The issues document the impact of the automobile and the bus on the streetcar system.