historical commission

For 19th century women, making a living was fraught with hurdles. Nora Husted found way to support herself and her five children by making face cream in her kitchen from an old family recipe. It grew into a Grand Rapids business that lasted over 50 years.

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has a long history in Grand Rapids, and its actors trod the boards in old Germania Hall during their early days.

Plank roads evoke the mystique of days gone by, but those old wooden planks held little charm for travelers.

Fred Meijer (December 7, 1919 - November 25, 2011) was an innovative businessman willing to take risks that changed the way people shop in Grand Rapids.

In August of 1924, four new Fageol Safety Coaches premium passenger buses were added to the Grand Rapids Greyhound fleet, offering daily service.

Bitter winter cold bedeviled Grand Rapids water workers, at great expense to customers.

By 1900, high school football was firmly entrenched as a Grand Rapids Thanksgiving tradition.

Boys will be boys!

In 1931, Grand Rapids opened a tourist camp at North Park with Grand River frontage.

Grand Rapids was one of the first cities of its size to embrace the idea of parking -in the air! - with the addition of an 11-floor parking garage in 1926, complete with uniformed attendants, chauffeur service, oil change and more.

In 1866, young Conrad Swensberg opened the Grand Rapids Business College & Telegraphic Institute, the ancestor of today's Davenport University.

Grand Rapids' first post office was established in 1832 along the banks of the Grand River at Bridge Street. Post master Darius Windsor oversaw its growth under less-than-favorable conditions.

The 40 acre development south of Hall St. and between Jefferson and Madison Avenues became a commercial hub at the turn of the 20th Century.

Remembering the bygone days of a favorite community landmark: the corner drug store.

In 1916, Harry H. Gardner "The Human Fly" caused a stir in Grand Rapids with his death-defying feats.

Wildcat bankers and failed banks made for shaky finances for 19th century Grand Rapids citizens.

Grand Rapids artist Gert VanHouten became a well known WWI cartoonist publishing under the byline 'GERT'.

Before the movies, many Grand Rapids residents got their entertainment at the vaudeville theatre "The Empress", an early burlesque locale.

A 1907 postcard series published in Grand Rapids, MI by the Reed Tandler Company featured Harry H. Wickham aka "Mr. Rover", a fellow who perhaps took his title too literally.

Grand Rapids first Catholic school opened in 1853, educating area students for 137 years.