The Rise and Fall of the Celery Capital | Kalamazoo's Bittersweet History | Southern Michigan

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  • čas přidán 4. 11. 2023
  • In this captivating video, we delve into the intriguing story of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and its unique connection with celery. Discover how celery transformed the city, earning it the nickname "Celery City," and explore the cultural significance of this unusual relationship. However, this story isn't just about success; it also unravels the challenges that led to the bittersweet decline of Kalamazoo's celery legacy. Join us as we uncover the rich history and cultural significance of this remarkable tale, where a simple vegetable played a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of a city.
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Komentáře • 92

  • @jayneo8436
    @jayneo8436 Před 8 měsíci +17

    I look forward to the Chuck and Poppins Michigan/historical lessons for the week. Love your channel👍🫶

  • @PacifierMusic
    @PacifierMusic Před 8 měsíci +23

    My wife and I grew up in mid Michigan. My daughter was born there. We think Michigan is the greatest place on Earth. Thank you for providing such fascinating historical content about the state we all adore. You are both appreciated more than you know. Your vids allow us to travel back to the places we love. We’re coming back for retirement. See you then :)

  • @user-jk1ld3tr5b
    @user-jk1ld3tr5b Před 8 měsíci +10

    The Kalamazoo Central HS fight song includes the phrase “Celery City Michigan” in it.

  • @tetraire3844
    @tetraire3844 Před 8 měsíci +18

    Portage's Celery Flats were about 1/2 mile north of the park in the small area of low land along Westnedge Ave. That area is now covered with retail. In celery's glory days, Portage was very sparsely populated and the older celery production areas of K'zoo that stretched eastward near and along the south bank of the K'zoo River to the Comstock area greatly outproduced Portage. Portage as we see it today didn't start to happen until the mid to late 1960's when Portage incorporated as a city. At that time, that Grange stood along the RR track, about 100 yds west of Wolber's General Store (SE corner of Westnedge & Centre), about 1/2 mile south of the Celery Flats park. In those days the area was known as Portage Center. Hope this isn't TMI. Thanks for posting.

    • @RestlessViking
      @RestlessViking  Před 8 měsíci +6

      Nice! The old maps I could find didn't really provide much information. Thanks for filling us in.

    • @peterrudy766
      @peterrudy766 Před 8 měsíci +2

      Good Stuff!

  • @evalinesanderson
    @evalinesanderson Před 8 měsíci +10

    This is so cool! I had no idea about any of this. I love learning about the area from you two!

  • @lakesuperiorskywatchernatu9515
    @lakesuperiorskywatchernatu9515 Před 8 měsíci +6

    Still celery juice was amazing in my health recovery during chemo.

  • @jlions72
    @jlions72 Před 8 měsíci +7

    Love your history lessons you make for us and make it interesting to boot ..Great Job look forward to your next video Thanks for sharing

  • @PracticalKen
    @PracticalKen Před 8 měsíci +3

    Thanks for sharing another history adventure.

  • @nancyborden210
    @nancyborden210 Před 8 měsíci +7

    Amazing! I take the old plank road right by Portage quite a bit. Looks like a great park!

  • @pmbair
    @pmbair Před 8 měsíci +10

    They used to grow celery in the muck bottom lands north of St. Johns Mi. where I grew up. The fields can be seen as you drive north from St. Johns on US 27.

    • @tobyhavaneese1557
      @tobyhavaneese1557 Před 7 měsíci +2

      I didn’t know that. I knew they grew mint there. Interesting

  • @HFarms1955
    @HFarms1955 Před 8 měsíci +7

    Yet another AWESOME HISTORY LESSON FROM YOU TWO!!! Im so glad i found your channel a month ago!! You guys ROCK! Thanks again!!!

  • @janerkenbrack3373
    @janerkenbrack3373 Před 8 měsíci +5

    Yes, there really is a Kalamazoo!

  • @dgm5617
    @dgm5617 Před 8 měsíci +3

    From Kalamazoo and love Celery Flatts. Thank you for the history lesson!!

  • @KUEHLKUEST
    @KUEHLKUEST Před 8 měsíci +2

    Someone say Party? We're game!! Very interesting to know about how different the celery was back then. J & C

  • @mitchellholroyd2837
    @mitchellholroyd2837 Před 8 měsíci +3

    Thanks for showcasing my home town.

  • @jwright1253
    @jwright1253 Před 8 měsíci +3

    Favorite place to walk

  • @bobwilson7384
    @bobwilson7384 Před 8 měsíci +4

    Wow! That area sure likes to move Barns and other buildings. In Hickory Corners, a short drive east of K-zoo, there is the Gilmore Collection. Cool old Barns full of cool old cars.

  • @tedanderson3438
    @tedanderson3438 Před 8 měsíci +7

    I lived on north side near the softball fields and was told from Mosel south to Patterson and Douglas east to the Kalamazoo R was all celery fields. The soil is rich black dirt I had wonderful gardens. A M Todd grew lots of mint in the area too and still produce lots of oil on Douglas ave, the neighborhood smelled minty fresh quite often

    • @jimlane2961
      @jimlane2961 Před 5 měsíci +2

      That's all I was ever told as a child in the seventies that the north side of kalamazoo was nothing but celery fields back in the day

    • @tinman8518
      @tinman8518 Před 2 měsíci +3

      Hey neighbor!! I grew up on Woodward Ave. and my back yard butted up to the lighted softball diamonds at the north end of Versluis-Dickinson ball fields. My Great-Grandfather came from The Netherlands in 1910 and settled on North Westnedge right next to where the U.S. 131 Business Loop comes through. He and his 12 children raised celery along Amsterdam Street.
      I lived down-wind from AM Todd, and I too, for 21 years until I married and moved away, enjoyed the mint aromas. I also remember hearing the sounds coming from the Douglas Drive-In Theater every night.

    • @tedanderson3438
      @tedanderson3438 Před 2 měsíci

      ​@@tinman8518l was told Amsterdam st where I lived(26yrs)was a trail between fields. To this day a scary narrow road. l left the area 4 yrs ago to return to my NE Mi roots but have fond memories of the wonderful neighbors in the Woo-Am-We neighborhood

  • @rickahlberg7020
    @rickahlberg7020 Před 8 měsíci +3

    I love the obscure historical facts you guys dig up! I'm a huge fan of Michigan history and whenever I watch or read your stories I'm captivated by your knowledge and delivery of these historical facts. Thank you for sharing!

  • @cecilberry71
    @cecilberry71 Před 8 měsíci +3

    Wow grew up in Michigan n NEVER KNEW THIS! Thanks again for your channel n sharing

  • @jafinch78
    @jafinch78 Před 8 měsíci +5

    Awesome! Gets me thinking AM Tod might be interesting as well, though not certain what's all around public. Paper and bog iron comes to mind historically as well. Nothing like the volume of celery I'm guessing. Interesting how the implements made were literally survival requirements usually at least at first for literal production and true development and not developing land fills.

  • @BeccahMitten
    @BeccahMitten Před 8 měsíci +4

    Thanks for highlighting Kalamazoo

  • @freetimeoffshore3157
    @freetimeoffshore3157 Před 8 měsíci +4

    I saw you had cheese dip at the start of the video along with carrots. Imlay city has grown carrots for a long time , muck fields are north of town along m 53. Nice historical videos!!

  • @juliebauman3998
    @juliebauman3998 Před 8 měsíci +2

    Born and raised in Portage. My family was in celery in Kalamazoo.

  • @benjaminkrum9880
    @benjaminkrum9880 Před 8 měsíci +2

    Interesting story! Fascinating Michigan history!

  • @stephenrrose
    @stephenrrose Před 8 měsíci +3

    I lived 6 years in Portage Michigan along Westnedge. Then the earth movers came in, leveled out the farm land across the street and Crossroads Mall and shopping area was born. That's when we moved to Galesburg MI. Lived in Kalamazoo County. Never knew about the celery history! Nice mention of the Heated Bathrooms. We know that "History" TeeHee! Thanks for the unknown to me History walk and talk! I'm still always learning from you two! Thank you for the educational and entertaining videos!

  • @burtrando1974
    @burtrando1974 Před 8 měsíci +4

    We still have a lot of muck fields here in Byron Center.

  • @lyleschull6516
    @lyleschull6516 Před 8 měsíci +3

    Thanks for the history lesson

  • @brandonmahoney6811
    @brandonmahoney6811 Před 7 měsíci +3

    I found your channel a couple of weeks ago and have been binge watching ever since. Thank you for the videos.

  • @user-zk2yd6xm8s
    @user-zk2yd6xm8s Před 8 měsíci +3

    Very cool. If you throw a party I'll bring the celery..

  • @daveevans7438
    @daveevans7438 Před 8 měsíci +3

    My very first job ever was working the muck fields in Comstock MI...right alongg the Kzoo river.

  • @theronnesbitt
    @theronnesbitt Před 8 měsíci +3

    Celery Party and a meet and greet!

  • @2011griz
    @2011griz Před 8 měsíci +7

    Grew up in Portage. My Grandfather raised celery right here in the 40's & 50's.
    Thanks for this video.
    Hey ... if you're seeing this ...
    any update on your Beer making?
    I've been watching, don't think i missed it.

    • @RestlessViking
      @RestlessViking  Před 8 měsíci +4

      The brewer that made Restless Viking Red just bought the brewery she started in Costa Rica. Since I drink whiskey and know very little about beer, it might be a little while. Though she is planning on consulting for the brewer. We'll try and keep you posted.

    • @2011griz
      @2011griz Před 7 měsíci +1

      @@RestlessViking Have done a bit of brewing myself in the past.
      I really enjoyed that show.

  • @kevinismawayoflife4660
    @kevinismawayoflife4660 Před 9 dny +1

    You guys visited this spot at the right time. Celery Flats was wiped out by tornado about a month ago.

    • @RestlessViking
      @RestlessViking  Před 8 dny +1

      We are there now. While the trees are flatten, it looks like all the buildings but the barn and amphitheater escaped damage

  • @peggyhemenger8983
    @peggyhemenger8983 Před 8 měsíci +3

    Wow, I had no idea, and I love celery--topped with peanut butter, cream cheese, hummus, or all by itself! I'm rooting for a party at Stuart House, be sure to have celery on hand😋

  • @brodymk45
    @brodymk45 Před 5 dny +1

    I didn’t even know this part existed! I was there about a month ago to check out the tornado damage by the park area. Also didn’t know they had nice bathrooms lol!

  • @jannajacob219
    @jannajacob219 Před 8 měsíci +4

    When I was a young child most of the celery available where I lived was the sweeter blanched type. When that wasn't available anymore it took me a while to get used to the celery we eat today.

  • @LadyYoop
    @LadyYoop Před 8 měsíci +4

    Holy wha...This is beyond cool...I love all your vids. You two are amazing! Thank you!

  • @gus473
    @gus473 Před 8 měsíci +4

    Celebrating this with a celery stalk in my breakfast beverage..... 😵‍💫😉✌️

  • @ymbmom
    @ymbmom Před 8 měsíci +3

    I need to get some Celery 😊

  • @troymilks7342
    @troymilks7342 Před 8 měsíci +3

    White celery is like German white asparagus: Spargle. Germans love it. We saw it in every little market and street kiosk. Alas, no one tried to sell it to us on the trains....

  • @elainesrottenbottom296
    @elainesrottenbottom296 Před 8 měsíci +6

    I used to be head grower @ nursery & we only had 1 variety of celery. But try Burpee for seeds & or Park seeds. Those were the 2 main places we got seeds. Keep the extra in your freezer. You'll have extra! Celery seeds are like ground pepper if I remember correctly.

  • @michaelhooper9576
    @michaelhooper9576 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Yes yes a party would be fun. We will print the invitations 😊

  • @maijaliimatta296
    @maijaliimatta296 Před 8 měsíci +7

    So many ways to eat celery. Peanut butter, cream cheese, hummus, or cooked in dishes.

  • @marilynbedrosian4552
    @marilynbedrosian4552 Před 8 měsíci +2

    Thanks Chuck and Poppins, loved the video, so fun!! I’ll be “stalking” my local grocer for better celery😂

  • @dieselmann34
    @dieselmann34 Před 8 měsíci +4

    I grew up in portage. And knew it was a big celery grower. And paper was huge.
    Now they are some of the biggest flower and flower bulb growers and shipper of North America. Bert Hyble’s being the biggest flower shipper in the USA. And they have the biggest bleacher manufacturer in the world. In Kalamazoo, over by where the old gm plant use to be.

  • @robt8094
    @robt8094 Před 3 měsíci +1

    I think there is a connection with Kellogg and celery. The precursor to Corn Flakes was celery based.

  • @themueth
    @themueth Před 8 měsíci +3

    Celery party !

    • @gus473
      @gus473 Před 8 měsíci +1

      At the Grange! 🎉😎✌️

  • @BettyFremont
    @BettyFremont Před 8 měsíci +3

    From what I understand Portage library offers seeds to use? Never asked only heard this. Maybe if still applicable someone who does grow heirloom celery could donate?

  • @rollingcoal9500
    @rollingcoal9500 Před 8 měsíci +2

    Hell yeah throw a party! Everyone has to show up dressed as celery with there favorite dipping sauce. Let me know the date

  • @johnkoch7386
    @johnkoch7386 Před 3 měsíci +2

    hey I live about a mile from there

  • @JeffinBville
    @JeffinBville Před 8 měsíci +1

    I knew a bit about the celery thing and there's still a large(ish) farm on M40 at Hamilton. Interestingly, just two weeks ago I met a guy at the Marine Corp band show who was telling me a great deal more about it than I had known. And, now this!
    If anyone knows of a farm market that sells local celery in season I'd really like to try something fresher than the stuff in the markets. I keep looking for them but I've yet to see one.

    • @juliebauman3998
      @juliebauman3998 Před 8 měsíci +1

      Edings Celery.

    • @JeffinBville
      @JeffinBville Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@juliebauman3998 I had mentioned them in my reply. I was looking for something closer.

  • @jonjonword6222
    @jonjonword6222 Před 21 dnem

    Kazoo had all sorts of great industries in the past

  • @erikl6337
    @erikl6337 Před 7 měsíci +1

    Wondering if you could ever do a video on Rogers City? It has a pretty interesting history especially regarding the beginning with the murder of tyrant Albert Molitor.

    • @RestlessViking
      @RestlessViking  Před 7 měsíci +2

      Good Suggestion.

    • @erikl6337
      @erikl6337 Před 7 měsíci +1

      ​@RestlessViking also. Thanks for this video, we continue to be educated and entertained. Thank you for all the time, effort, and work you put into these videos!

    • @stanfogg5869
      @stanfogg5869 Před 7 měsíci +2

      Do you sell merchandise.

    • @RestlessViking
      @RestlessViking  Před 7 měsíci +1

      @@stanfogg5869 We do. Though, we are just starting to build out our store.
      restless-viking.myshopify.com/

    • @LightoftheMoon
      @LightoftheMoon Před 27 dny

      Ooo, that would be an awesome episode! Spent summers in Rogers City hen I was a little girl. There's some stories for sure! I remember one time a freighter was in trouble and anybody that had a car drove to the beach way north of town and shined headlights out over the water to guide the Captain away from shore. Heck that must've been 66 or 67'... a very too long ago time ~

  • @HawaiiSustainable
    @HawaiiSustainable Před 8 měsíci +1

    Scottish farmers on it everywhere for generations

  • @korodski
    @korodski Před 8 měsíci +2

    🫡🫡🫡

  • @markdegoede6568
    @markdegoede6568 Před 29 dny

    Have you seen the tornado damage at this park?

  • @peterrudy766
    @peterrudy766 Před 8 měsíci

    I Knew Kalamazoo Was Known As The Celery City, And Also Known As The Paper City, But Did Not Know The History You Two Provided. I Was Kind Of Saddened To Learn, As A WMU Paper Grad, That Wells And Water Drainage From The Paper Industry Helped Along The Demise Of The Celery Industry. I Have Grown A Golden Celery So Now Am Wondering If That Traces Back To The Kalamazoo Variety.
    Great Job You Two! Some Day Your Statue Will Be Erected And Honored!

    • @RestlessViking
      @RestlessViking  Před 8 měsíci +1

      I used a picture of the Golden King Celery, but I don't know the strain of Kalamazoo Celery. I'm thinking golden was close, but wild celery is quite a bit different. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯