Volume 43, number 3
November 2021
Grand River Times The Newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society
Inside this issue: Cover Story: Team Photo At The Grand Rapids Public Museum Letter from our President page 2 A Mugshot Story—Distilling Prohibition Offenses page 3 HSM—History Hounds page 5 Happening in History page 6 Photo Sleuth page 7
Team Photo At The Grand Rapids Public Museum Via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrcygqj8pHdVipOD9mG47ItlMvrjfD4R-
Thursday, November 11, 2021, 7:00 p.m. By: Gina Bivins The Grand Rapids Public Museum has thousands of photographs in their archives. They have been collecting them for a very long time. Today, as images are accepted into the collection they are scanned and put into the data base. They are available for viewing on line by the general public. Some of the images that were donated in the early years were not identified. None, of course, were scanned. The members of Team Photo came together because of a common love of research. We are not the first to work on the extensive collection of photographs. A series of staff, interns and volunteers have worked on it. We meet once a week to scan images, staff then download them to the data base while we research them and enter the findings into the computer.
Search: Grand Rapids Historical Society
https://www.grpmcollections.org/Search/Objects?
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Dear GRHS Members,
We will be into November when you receive this newsletter and the cold weather has set in. In some ways it has been nice to sit in my own home and in my comfy chair to watch the Society presentations on-line and again later on YouTube if I want. But I miss seeing you in person at our The Grand River Times is the programs, your smiles, your hellos. We plan to newsletter of the Grand Rapids gather in person again, but not yet. We want to know if you have been able Historical Society, published six times annually. Established in 1894, to watch the programs, either the day of, or later. We would like feedback the Grand Rapids Historical Society on the programs. We want to know if you have topics you would like us to is dedicated to exploring the history pursue. of West Michigan; to discover its romance and tragedy, its heroes and scoundrels, its leaders and its ordinary citizens. The Society collects and preserves our heritage, passing it on to new generations through books, lectures, and education projects. Executive Committee: Gina Bivins, president Matthew Daley, vice-president John Gelderloos, treasurer Nan Schichtel, secretary Board members: Charles Bocskey Angela Cluley Thomas Dilley Matthew Ellis Chris Kaupa Gordon Olson, emeritus Ed Paciencia Wilhelm Seeger, emeritus Jeff Sytsma Julie Tabberer Jim Winslow Jessica Riley, editor Grand Rapids Historical Society c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Website: www.grhistory.org Grand River Times
This is your society. You are the members. Without meeting in person we cannot get that feedback. You can email us at grhs.local@gmail.com or drop us a line at Grand Rapids Historical Society c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library NE Grand Rapids MI 49503. We have a Facebook page and questions or comments can be left there too. Bundle up, stay healthy, and I will virtually see you on November 11 at 7:00 p.m. for our program on photos in the collection of the Public Museum of Grand Rapids.
About the Grand Rapids Historical Society. The Grand Rapids Historical Society sponsors eight programs each year, beginning in September and running through May, including lectures, audio/video presentations, demonstrations, collections, or special tours. Membership. Membership is open to all interested persons with annual dues of $30 per family, $20 for seniors and students, or $400 for a lifetime membership. The membership year runs from May to the following May. Members of the Grand Rapids Historical Society receive eight newsletters each year. Members also receive a 20% discount on books published by the society as well as books published by the Grand Rapids Historical Commission. Change of Address. If you will be permanently or temporarily moving to a new address, please notify GRHS before your change occurs. Let us know your new address and the date you plan to leave and plan to return. Email to grhs.local@gmail.com, or mail to Grand Rapids Historical Society, c/o Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 2
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A Mugshot Story: Distilling Prohibition Offenses by: Matthew Ellis—GRHS Board Trustee Mrs. Rose Akamas, a short, stout woman with light brown hair and blue eyes, stood before Judge Hess on November 20, 1928. She might have spoken to the judge with a slight accent, being born in Lithuania in 1889. It was only the night before appearing in court that officers arrested her for violating the liquor law. More specifically, she was apprehended and brought before the court for running a moonshine distilling operation out of the home she owned. The home at 1932 Sterling Ave NW seemed to be the perfect location for privately manufacturing alcohol. Rose was the only residence on the east side of the block. There were no buildings on the lots directly behind hers. Only the single house directly across the street may have been able to discern what was going on. The Grand Rapids Press did not say how the Police Department knew about Rose's operation. Perhaps a buyer had snitched on Rose, or maybe an undercover agent had asked around for a place to purchase liquor, which was common during prohibition. Whatever the case, police raided the home during the night. They confiscated a gallon of moonshine whiskey, 20 gallons of mash (enough to make approximately 12 gallons of alcohol), and two complete stills for distilling. The Grand Rapids Press noted that one of the stills was new and had yet to be used. Rose's sentence was 90 days in the county jail. Her police mugshot sports a rare, slight smile. Like many offenders among the mugshots, Rose may have turned to selling liquor out of desperation. Her mugshot record listed her as unmarried, but it should have listed her as a widower. Her husband, named Joseph Akamas, shortened from his native Lithuanian name Akamavisious, had been a finisher for the furniture industry and had built the house at 1932 Sterling Ave NW. He had lived on Hamilton Ave NW previously, a few blocks away, with his wife and their daughter Hedwig. The year after they moved into their newly constructed home, he died of kidney complications. This loss possibly pushed Rose to turn toward violating the liquor law to provide for herself and her daughter. This offense seemed to be Rose's only crime, common among liquor law violators. By March 1929, she was out of the county jail. Within two years, she remarried a farmer named Tony Tulgis. The house that had become a distillery was slowly, over the years, surrounded by industrial buildings until sometime after 2007, when the residence was demolished. Tales like Rose's echo throughout the Mug Shot book. From October 1928 to the end of prohibition in Grand Rapids, of the 246 individuals arrested for liquor law violations, 71 were women. A majority of the women arrested for violating prohibition were born within the United States, and their mean age was 36. Some of their stories form short vignettes, while some have almost no detail.
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Continued from front page We try to find out who, what, where, and when. We assign a unique number if they don’t already have one, add a geolocation if we know it and enter the box number and folder number locations so they can be found in the archives, if needed, at a later date. It can be very exciting, it can be very tedious, and from time to time can drag the whole team down a rabbit hole searching for a clue, any clue to bring a particular photo to life. Each member of the group picked photographs that spoke to them, delighted them, or perhaps frustrated them. We have also added a few current images to add context for those who are not as familiar with the area. The largest group of photographs, at least 2,500 are from The Camera Shop, which was located at 16 Monroe NE in the block between N Division and Sheldon, which is now a pedestrian area around the Civil War Monument. There are other significant collections, such as the collection from Dorothy O’Brien who donated over 140 images, although not all have been scanned yet. Laura Lorenson took black and white photos of buildings and houses around town. They were discovered in an index card tin in an office. Mrs. Dwight Monsma donated over 400, but that is a story for another time. Why we do it? For future researchers, and because they let us. We debated if we should downplay how much fun we have. We decided to tell you, we have fun. Not all of our questions have been answered. We are hoping you will be able to help us with additional information about a few of our stumpers.
Continued from page 3 Many are disheartening, Like Marion McBride's brief entry. A blue-eyed Canadian, Marion was arrested a few weeks after Rose for having half a gallon of moonshine in her apartment at 645 Division Ave S. The apartment building is long since gone, and Marion died shortly after being arrested. Some mugshot tales leave the reader hoping for more details, like Viola Thorne's arrest. Viola Thorne, the "proprietress" of the Lorraine Hotel at 129 Ottawa Ave NW, was arrested for the same offense as Rose and Marion. She also had blue eyes and a stout build, also like Rose and Marion. However, the Press hardly mentions the details of her crime, only that she appeared in court. Yet, despite being charged for ostensibly the same crime, she received nine months in the Detroit House of Corrections for her liquor activities, a seemingly far stricter sentence. It was only a short article in the Detroit Times that provided a small amount of detail. The article featured a photograph of Viola sitting with the superintendent, with a slight hint that there might have been more to her case. Viola claimed someone had framed her for the crime. Perhaps there is more to Viola's story than the Grand Rapids Press let on.
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Historical Society of Michigan History Hounds Lecture Series If you enjoy “sniffing out” and exploring fascinating historical subjects, the Historical Society of Michigan’s History Hounds lecture series offers weekly in-depth presentations, allowing attendees to curl up with a myriad of historical topics. History Hounds is FREE for members of HSM. History Hounds is also free for members of HSM’s member organizations.
See for details: https://hsmichigan.org/programs/history-hounds-lecture-series/
Tuesday, November 2, 2021 noon-1:00 p.m.
Ending Tomorrow: The Bath School Disaster with Harold Schechter, Author
This lecture is only available through remote access.
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Crossing the Line: Immigration Politics on the U.S./Canada Border with Ashley Johnson Bavery, Eastern Michigan University
This lecture is only available through remote access.
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 noon-1:00 p.m.
The Rocks That Made MI: Great Lakes Geology with Stephen Kesler, University of Michigan
This lecture is only available through remote access.
Tuesday, November 30, 2021 noon-1:00 p.m. This lecture is only available through remote access. Grand River Times
Secret Upper Peninsula: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure with Kath Usitalo, Author
History Hounds Off the Leash In 1927, while the Michigan township of Bath was celebrating a new primary school, Andrew P. Kehoe had other plans. On May 18, he detonated explosives at the school–ending the lives of thirty-eight children and six adults. Join us to learn about this Michigan tragedy and its ramifications on the community.
History Hounds During the early 20th century, thousands of illegal European immigrants crossed the US-Canada border at Windsor to work in Michigan’s auto industry. Learn how this often-overlooked border area influenced government policies toward illegal immigration, business and labor union practices, and the experience of being an illegal immigrant in industrial America.
History Hounds Off the Leash Geologic events formed Michigan and the Great Lakes region. Fossils are only a small part of a story that includes routes of the early explorers, glaciers, reefs, mountain building, and a giant meteor impact. Join us to learn about the “prehistory of history” and the geology that shaped our state.
History Hounds Off the Leash Even if you know a fair amount about the Upper Peninsula, learn a few more facts and impress your friends and family with the “secrets” of the area in this session, including fun facts and trivia, local food, ghosts and lore, and others. It is time to learn more, eh? 5
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
HAPPENING IN HISTORY—November 2021 Western Michigan Genealogical Society Saturday, November 6, 2021, 1:30 p.m. Via Zoom: Access via WMGS website www.wmgs.org, click on the link for the meeting Topic: Transform your genealogical research into a family history book
Presenter: Deb Moore When you pass on, who will go through your briefcases and scraps of paper, computer files, paper files, and heirloom photographs in search of the family research you’ve spent decades compiling? Maybe no one. This presentation focuses on taking your genealogical research, photos and ancestor stories, and compiling all the information into one book that can be shared with family members. Only then can you be assured that your efforts will be passed to future generations. Join Deb to learn how. A lifelong Grand Rapidian, Deb Moore started her business, The Stories of Your Life, in 2003 to help individuals, families and businesses preserve and record their histories. As a personal historian, Deb has helped dozens of local residents and organizations in this regard. In addition, Deb has made presentations on memoir-writing at local libraries, retirement homes, senior centers and is a regular instructor on memoir writing at Aquinas College’s OLLI program.
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Heartside Historic Mural Tour Thursday, November 11, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkdevpjMtGdD7CHmg8IbkJhY2XfG0Lgev Join your neighbors and friends to learn more about Heartside and the exciting places and people that have shaped our neighborhood. We will learn about: the advocacy and life of Dr. Ella Mary Sims, the fight for AIDS resources and health care, immigration and the Union Depot, entertainment venues that featured Black entertainers, and The Black People's Free Store. This event is free and open to the public and takes place on the zoom platform. Registration is required.
Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary 2965 Leonard St. NE The Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary is located on the north side of Leonard Street just west of the East Beltline. They will be meeting in the Chapel of the Seminary. There is no food or drink allowed in the Chapel. Snacks will be in a separate room, near the Chapel. See for details: http://www.grcwrt.com/index.html
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY JOIN THE GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY OR GIVE A MEMBERSHIP AS A GIFT The Grand Rapids Historical Society sponsors eight lectures each year. Members of the society enjoy these benefits:
The Grand River Times is the newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society. Published and mailed to members eight times a year, it includes current items of historical interest, details of upcoming lectures, historically relevant activities, and short articles.
20% Discount on all books and other items published by the society.
Please enroll me as a member of the Grand Rapids Historical Society: ____ New ___Renewal ____Gift
_____Lifetime:
$400.00 one-time fee
_____Individual/Family Membership
$30.00 per year
_____Senior Citizen or Student
$20.00 per year
Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Email: Please make check payable to the Grand Rapids Historical Society and mail it with this form to: Grand Rapids Historical Society, c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY PHOTO SLEUTH Our November Photo Sleuth selection comes from the Robinson Photo Studio Collection from the Grand Rapids Public Library and is dated February 13, 1948. Two women, employees of Consumers Power, sit at a desk. If anyone in this picture looks familiar or if anyone knows about this team please email the Grand Rapids Historical Society at grhs.local@gmail.com Grand River Times
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. postage PAID Grand Rapids, MI Permit No. 234
Grand Rapids Historical Society, Inc. c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Team Photo At The Grand Rapids Public Museum Via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrcygqj8pHdVipOD9mG47ItlMvrjfD4R-
Thursday, November 11, 2021, 7:00 p.m.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Cover Story: Team Photo At The Grand Rapids Public Museum Letter from our President page 2 A Mugshot Story—Distilling Prohibition Offenses page 3
By: Gina Bivins HSM—History Hounds page 5 Happening in History page 6 Photo Sleuth page 7
For more information on Historical Society programs, please visit www.grhistory.org Grand River Times
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