History of Battle Creek, Michigan, USA

1854 - Battle Creek
Battle Creek, a flourishing post-village of Battle Creek township, Calhoun county, Michigan, on the Michigan Central railroad, at the junction of the Kalamazoo river and Battle creek, 122 miles W. from Detroit, and 13 miles W. from Marshall. It is liberally supplied with water-power, and is surrounded by a very productive country. The village has an active trade and contains 1 academy, 2 woollen factories, 4 flouring mills, and several saw mills and machine shops. Population, about 1800. There ore quarries of fine sandstone in the vicinity.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1863 - May 23 - Organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Battle Creek, Michigan.

1892 - Fire at Battle Creek
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., September 23. - A fire last night in the plant of the union school furniture company, destroyed the factory, office and four other buildings. Loss aggregated $100,000.

The Daily Journal and Tribune
Knoxville, Tennessee
September 24, 1892

1892 - Fire at Battle Creek.
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Dec. 13. - Special Telegram - Fire in William C. Gage & Sons' Railroad and Job Printing House to-night damaged the electrotype foundry, but was confined to the fourth story. The machinery and printing supplies were saved with little damage. The foundry and bindery are a total loss, but fully insured.
The Inter Ocean
Chicago, Illinois
December 14, 1892

1893 - Storm
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., April 13. - Special Telegram - The violent hailstorm of last night was disastrous in many sections of the fruit districts and very great damage is reported, especially to the smaller kinds.

Lightning struck Martin Van Duzier's barn at Vicksburg. Three horses were killed and a large quantity of grain and hay was destroyed. Total loss, $1,800.
The Daily Inter Ocean
Chicago, Illinois
April 14, 1893

1895 - Battle Creek
Battle Creek, a city and railway centre of Calhoun co, Mich, on the Michigan Central Railroad where it crosses the Chicago & Grand Trunk, and on the Kalama 100 River at the mouth of Battle Creek, 45 miles S.W. of Lansing, 121 miles W. of Detroit, and 163 miles E.N.E. of Chicago. It contains an opera-house, an extensive sanitarium, 10 churches, a high school, 2 colleges (Seventh Day Adventist and Catholic), 4 banks, several flour-mills, iron enities, and machine-shops, and manufactures of railway boilers and engines, nails, furniture, &c. Two daily and 3 weekly papers are published here, besides numerous issues from the publishing-house of the Adventists. Pop. in 1880, 7063; in 1890, 13,090.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

March 7, 1897: Dr. John Kellogg served the world's first cornflakes to his patients at the Battle Creek (MI) Sanitarium
The Old Farmer's Almanac
www.almanac.com

1902 - FIVE PERSONS DROWNED - Steamer Struck Boat in Which They Were Rowing - Victims Employes of a Sanitarium.
Battle Creek, Mich., August 28 - Five employes of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, nurses, probationers and stenographers, were drowned at Lake Goguac last evening as the result of a collision between the steamer Welcome and a rowboat containing a party of young people.

Five girls had been out for a row about the lake with a young man an were returning to the sanitarium villa. The Welcome was starting out for her last trip. The young man was at the oars and he became bewildered and the steamer struck the boat broadside on.

Those drowned were MR. BENNETT, Dallas, Tex.; FANNIE BRADY, Battle Creek, Mich.; MABEL RICARD, Travers City, Mich.; ELLA DORSEY, Allegheny, Pa.; and FANNIE WILLIS, North Toronto, Ont.

CARRIE FYOCK of Johnstown, Pa., clung to the boat and was the only one saved. MISS BRADY and MISS RICARD were evidently struck by the steamer and killed, for they were found floating. The others are in twenty feet of water and their bodies are being dragged... Read MORE...

1906 - February 19 - WK Kellogg & Ch Bolin find Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Co

historyorb.com

1909 - LITTLE ONES PERISH. AN ORPHANAGE AT BATTLE CREEK, MICH., DESTROYED BY FIRE AND THREE OF THE YOUNG INMATES LOST THEIR LIVES. SEVEN LITTLE GIRLS JUMPED FROM THIRD STORY WINDOWS
JAMES ARMSTRONG, BUT 12 YEARS OLD, GOES INTO THE HERO CLASS ON HIS MERITS.

Battle Creek, Mich., Feb. 5 - The Haskell Memorial Home, the property on the Seventh Day Adventists, an orphanage, located near the western boundary of this city, was destroyed by fire today.

Three of the thirty-seven little inmates of the orphanage are missing, and it is believed they perished in the flames. The missing are:
LENA McFERNEY, aged fourteen.
CECIL QUOTENT, aged thirteen.
GEORGE GOODENOW, aged eight years.

In the panic following the alarm of fire, seven little girls leaped from windows on the third floor of the institution. It is not thought that any of these seven are fatally injured although RUTH ROFF, one of those who in her fright, made the jump, is believed to have seriously injured her spine.

JAMES ARMSTRONG, twelve years of age, made a hero of himself by standing on a shed under one of the windows of the burning building, directing the panic-stricken children how to make their ... Read MORE...

1911 - BATTLE CREEK, MICH., HAS FIRE.
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., July 1. - The McLean & Swift grain elevator here was destroyed by fire early today. The loss is estimated at about $100,000, half of which is on corn, wheat and oats stored in the building. The fire was attributed to electric wires.
The Duluth News-Tribune
Duluth, Minnesota
July 3, 1911

1916
Battleereek, a city and railway centre of Calhoun co., Mich., on the Michigan Central, the Chicago and Grand Trunk and other railroads, 45 miles SW. of Lansing. It contains an opera-house, an extensive sanitarium, the Battleereek College (Seventh-Day Adventist), vast tabernacle, flour-mills, iron-foundries, machine-shops, and manufactures of locomotive boilers and engines, steam-pumps, threshing-machines, presses, furniture, cereal foods, etc. Pop. in 1890, 13,090 ; in 1900, 18,563.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

Battle Creek, Michigan has a lot to offer! Whether you're into history, outdoor activities, or just looking for a good meal, you'll find something to enjoy. Here's a list to get you started:
Binder Park Zoo: A fantastic place for families, the Binder Park Zoo has a diverse range of animals and offers a unique safari experience.

Kellogg's Cereal City USA: Battle Creek is famous for being the birthplace of Kellogg's cereals. Visit Cereal City USA for a fun and interactive experience that takes you through the history of cereal-making.

Historic Adventist Village: If you're interested in history, this village provides a glimpse into the early days of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Leila Arboretum: A beautiful 72-acre arboretum with walking trails, gardens, and even a children's garden. It's a great spot for a leisurely stroll.

Willard Beach and Park: A lovely place for a picnic, fishing, or just relaxing by the water. The park offers walking trails and beautiful views.

Kingman Museum: Explore natural history, archaeology, and ethnology exhibits. It's a great spot for both kids and adults.

Firekeepers Casino: Feeling lucky? Head to the Firekeepers Casino... Read MORE...