There is a fantastic story of a man named Daniel Low who guided 150 runaway slaves to freedom in northern Indiana. Lit candles on the widow’s walk atop his house instructed fugitives when it was safe to travel. Two ill fugitives died and were buried in Low’s own cemetery. His home was fugitive slaves’ last stop before being stowed aboard boats in Michigan City’s harbor and floated to Windsor, Canada. It is a good story and it most likely is a myth. Read More
Tag: Michigan City
Michigan City White Caps players, 1957 – 1958
View a quick montage of individual player photos of the 1957 & 1958 White Caps baseball teams.
Each one is about 90 seconds.
Mr. Gierkey – 50 years with Staiger Hardware
Mr. William Gierkey began work at Staiger Hardware Store in Michigan City, Indiana on August 7, 1897. By August 7, 1946, he was still working there as a clerk and deliveryman. In fact, two co-workers had been there 40+ years–Staiger must’ve treated their employees well.
Because the photograph was taken with a film camera, the photo negative was there that day at 613 Franklin Street, greeted William Gierkey, captured his moment forever, and it is still with us today. Read More
Mystery Gym Had Studebaker Roots
I found a glass negative among a box of old Michigan City, Indiana, photos. It had no description or identifying information. It was a basketball game.
As I peered through the glass, I thought, what a strange gym, and wondered, where was it? The hunt began.
Sixty Years and Counting- A record that stands alone
In 2016, I interviewed Don Larsen for the 60th anniversary of the only World Series perfect game that he pitched. Here is the story.
October 8, 1956. A 27-year-old pitcher born in Michigan City, Indiana, crossed the chalked white line of Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York City, and took the mound against the Brooklyn Dodgers in game 5 of the World Series. Larsen was surprised to be there. Read More
The Patch Players – Basketball was a respite from life’s daily injustice
Dave Greer and I sat in his basement drinking coffee. Behind him was a wall covered with trophies: bowling trophies won by his wife, Vivian, his son and daughter’s awards from Rogers High School, a color silhouette of Greer in a basketball uniform. The largest one recognized Greer as an outstanding scholar-athlete at Elston High School.
Greer remembered the night he became the first area player to shoot a jump shot in a varsity basketball game. It was 1953 and many people considered a one-handed jump shot showboating. It was an away game at an all-white school.
“They called me all kind of negative names,” Greer said. “They called me everything but God. We were the only black thing in there,” referring to himself and teammates Bill Wright and Braelon Donaldson. “The word — never heard it so many times in one day.” Read More
LaPorte County Basketball Tourney – Can It Be Resurrected?
Hoosiers are a little happier these days. Varsity girls and boys basketball are now in full swing. Decades ago, the happy feelings peaked with excitement during the LaPorte County Sectional. Every community wanted to see its team win, or to see David topple Goliath, but it was about communities meeting in one place and watching basketball together as much as anything. As the winner advanced to the Regional, everyone hoped they’d represent LaPorte County well. Read More
CAR CRASH – a photo book
She intended to throw away thousands of photo negatives. “Who in their right mind would want these old car accident scenes?” she said. “I think they’re cool,” I said. Her face twisted and she gave me a disgusted look. She didn’t protest when I offered to take them home. Read More