~ Michigan City Public Library ~
Oral Histories
NEW! from the collection:

(Written permission to use this material
must be obtained from the Director of the Michigan City Public Library.)

The following require Windows Media Player.
Note that some recordings are very noisy and some may take a few seconds to start.

Agemy James b. October 11, 1937 #T-6-129
Grocer Michigan city, IN ,

Reminiscences about his years as an independent grocery store owner in Michigan City, Indiana. Cecilia Jankowski, interviewer; November 8, 1978

Allen, Russell W. b. December 13, 1900 #T-3-69
Mechanic Cass County, MI

Reminiscences of a black man on his life in Michigan City since the 1920s; his thoughts and feelings on racial prejudice and discrimination and segregation. Laurie Radke, interviewer; January 19, 1978. Indexed.

Bernacchi, Bart b. July 1, 1929 #T-2-40 Part 2
Horticulturalist La Porte, IN

Reminiscences on Bernacchi family flower and truck farm businesses in La Porte, Indiana. Laurie Radke, interviewer; October 26, 1977. Indexed.

Buchanan, Russell b. December 29, 1905 #T-2-38 Part 2, Part 3
Farmer Coolspring Township, La Porte

Reminiscences on growing up in Coolspring Township in La Porte County, Indiana since the early 1900's. Laurie Radke, interviewer; November 9, 1977. indexed.

Cobb, Luther b. August 23, 1908 #T-5-105
Laborer Covington, KY

Reminiscences on emigration: from Kentucky; family and home life in Kingsford Heights, Indiana; employment at Kingsbury Ordnance Plant; discrimination and segregation encountered by blacks.
John Brennan, interviewer; August 23, 1978. Transcribed.

Crumpacker, Harriet (Bray) b. October 9, 1891 #T-3-55
Homemaker Michigan City, IN

Reminiscences on growing up in Michigan City, Indiana since the 1890's; children's games and clothing; school curriculum and activities.
Laurie Radke, interviewer; October 11, 1977. Indexed and transcribed.

Crumpacker, Harriet (Bray) b. October 9, 1891 #T-3-56
Homemaker Michigan City, IN
Reminiscences on grandfather's grocery store in Michigan City, Indiana; Michigan City downtown; homelife and chores.
Laurie Radke, interviewer; October 24, 1977. Indexed and transcribed.

Crumpacker, Harriet (Bray) b. October 9, 1891 #T-3-57
Homemaker Michigan City, IN

Reminiscences on clubs and social life in Michigan City, Indiana; school activities; rivalry between Michigan City and La Porte. Laurie Radke, interviewer; November 8, 1977 Indexed.

Crumpacker, Harriet (Bray) b. October 9, 1891 #T-3-58
Homemaker Michigan City, IN

Reminiscences on early 20th century schools; women's clothing; women's careers; women's suffrage movement in Michigan City. Laurie Radke, interviewer; November 22, 1977. Indexed.

Flint, Kathleen b. January 25, 1903 #T-5-123 Part 2
Teacher Toledo, OH

Reminiscences on inventions and educating; home and family life since the early 1900's. Cecilia Jankowski, interviewer; October 25, 1978. Indexed.

Garwood, Eugene A. b. July 15, 1928 #T-3-74 Part 2
Orchard operator La Porte, IN

Reminiscences on the history of the Garwood family apple orchard in La Porte, Indiana from the mid 1840's to the present. (1978) Laurie Radke, interviewer; Marth 2, 1978. Indexed and transcribed.

Hatcher, Carlton b. December 20, 1892 #T-4-98
Laborer Lizella, Georgia

Reminiscences of the black experience of growing up in Michigan City, Indiana; emigration from Georgia; family and home life; discrimination and prejudice. John Brennan, interviewer; August 8, 1978. indexed and transcribed.

Herbert, Hugo H. b. May 19, 1888 #T-3-67 Part 2, Part 3
Sailor, Electrician Germany

Reminiscences on experiences as a wheelsman on a Lake Michigan lumber schooner; electrician at Haskell-Barker Railroad Car Shop, 1912-1964. Laurie Radke, interviewer; January 5, 1978. Indexed

Herbst, August A. b. August 22, 1917 #T-4-94
Farmer Hamlet, IN

Breeds and characteristics of draft horses; breaking and training of draft horses; farming techniques using draft animals; m2les; care and conditioning of draft horses. Jerrold Gustafson, interviewer; July 27, 1978. Indexed and transcribed. Monograph.

Herbst, August A. b. August 22, 1917 #T-4-96
Farmer Hamlet, IN

Reminiscences on growing up along the Kankakee Marshlands; hunting and trapping in marshlands; farming techniques and stories; bootlegging camps in marsh areas. Jerrold Gustafson, interviewer; August 1, 1978. indexed.

Herbst, August (Jr.) b. September 19, 1942 #T-5-106
Telephone technician Hamlet, IN

Experiences and recollections of working with drafthorses; breeds and characteristics of draft animals; breaking and training; care and management. Jerrold Gustafson, interviewer; August 22, 1978. Indexed and transcribed.

Lloyd, J. Cyrus b. December 9, 1919 #T-3-78
Farmer Union Mills, IN

Recollections on dairy farming techniques in the 1920's in Union Mills, Indiana; barns and other farm buildings; wheat threshing. Laurie Radke, interviewer; April 21, 1978. Indexed and transcribed.

Lubke, Charles L. b. June 14, 1891 #T-4-92
Photographer, Engineer Michigan City, IN

Recollections of working at the Haskell-Barker Railroad Car Shop since 1907; antique photography. George Schultz, interviewer. Indexed.

Pierce, Florence (McIntyre) b. 1886 #T-3-75
Nurse, Homemaker Michigan City, IN

Reminiscences on women's clothing, shoe and hairstyles in the early 1900's; family life; holidays and ceremonies. Laurie Radke, interviewer; January 20, 1978. Indexed and transcribed.

Schmuhl, (Mrs.) Louis #T-3-66
Homemaker
Reminiscences on growing up in Michigan City, Indiana; childhood games and school activities. Laurie Radke, interviewer. Indexed.

Schumaker, Harold b. December 30, 1899 #T-2-42 Part 2, Part 3
Farmer La Porte County, IN

Snodgrass, Raymond b. July 5, 1907 #T-5-128
Factory foreman Michigan city, IN

Reminiscences on home and family life in Michigan City, Indiana since the early 1900's; employment at Pullman Standard Railroad Car factory. Paul St. Arnaud, interviewer; July 31, 1978. Indexed.

Welkie, Harold L. b. May 7, 1914 #T-2-44
Insurance Agent Wanatah, IN

Reminiscences on farm life and father's livery barn in Wanatah, Indiana in the 1920's and 1930's. Laurie Radke, interviewer; January 13, 1978. Indexed.


Additional Tapes:
Requires Real Player.

Tall Tales Growing Up Along The Kanakee Marsh. Part 1. As told by Tom Mills T-4-97
Tall Tales Growing Up Along The Kanakee Marsh. Part 2. As told by Tom Mills T-4-97

Fashions and Clothing in the 1900's. Florence Pierce

Commercial Fishing on Lake Michigan. Part 1. Fred Ritter T-4-91
Commercial Fishing on Lake Michigan. Part 2. Fred Ritter T-4-91

Harvesting Maple Syrup. Part 1. Fay Hooton
Harvesting Maple Syrup. Part 2. Fay Hooton

Training and Farming with Horses. Part 1. August Herbst
Training and Farming with Horses. Part 2. August Herbst