Delving into the character and characters of Traverse City's early years, Grand Traverse Legends, Volume III: The Transition Years 1880-1900 relates the lives, loves, tragedies, joys and eccentricities that shaped a community.
In his straightforward, engaging style, author Bob Wilson introduces and brings to life people such as the area's first female doctor, influential manufacturers and merchants, inventors, early mayors, builders and even a juggling barber known for making fishing lures. He covers 55 people in all and includes more than 160 historical pictures, documents, newspaper clippings and other information to flesh out his narrative.
With this publication, Wilson releases his third book in as many years and the final one in his trilogy. The retired scientist drew on 12 years of research to round out his Grand Traverse Legends series, which previously covered the early years of 1838-1860 and the formative years of 1860-1880.
"It really is a labor of love,” said Wilson, a retired Air Force officer and scientist and school administrator. "I had no motives here to get rich, I just wanted to expose the kind of people who were involved in getting Traverse City started and how they contributed to that.”
All proceeds from sales of the book will benefit the Grand Traverse Pioneer and Historical Society, of which Wilson is president and a long-time volunteer.
Summarizing the region's founder as having altruistic attitude as a foundation for their labors, Wilson noted that it began with founder Perry Hannah. From giving land for churches, a library and other civic foundations to helping people launch businesses that would directly compete with his, Hannah looked beyond his personal wealth.
"He had a vision for a village here instead of just cut the trees and run,” said Wilson, who spent his elementary and high school years in Traverse City before leaving in 1954 for the Air Force.
During an industrial boom, the Boardman Lake shore and the beaches along the bay became lined with factories and foundries during these transition years. Canning, cigars, candy, ironworks, hardwood products and chair parts — industries thrived along what is now revered shoreline.
"It was a very polluted place, it wasn't until the 1930s that they actually got it cleaned up,” said Wilson. "Think about what it was like with smokestacks spewing all along the north shore of the Boardman Lake, starting at the library and going over to the Riverine Apartments.”
Wilson's favorite character in this volume is Howard Whiting, namesake for a hotel downtown that at its founding challenged the Park Place Hotel. A self-educated man who never attended school, Whiting started a couple of businesses in Traverse City, whose success provided capital for the Whiting Hotel.
"It was closer to the train station than the Park Place and it catered to traveling salesmen,” said Wilson.
During the Great Depression, Whiting's generosity and business acumen were instrumental in keeping many farms afloat. He provided many loans that kept a family on the land, using his own unique criteria for choosing beneficiaries.
"Rather than have the farmer come to see him, when he found out that they needed help he visited them,” said Wilson. "He looked at how well the buildings were painted and how good the roofs were on them: if they looked good, then he would loan them money.”
"He let them pay as they could, so a lot of people even today have their farm still in the family because of Howard Whiting,” he added.
Wilson also tells the story of Wild Bill Germaine, an early mayor in town who came from a wealthy family and had a charismatic personality. Germaine began taking payoffs for favors and scandal erupted. He wound up as a ward of the state living at the Traverse City State Hospital.
"Alcohol was his downfall,” said Wilson. "I put the story in the book because it wasn't Camelot here.”
A publication party celebrating the release of Grand Traverse Legends, Volume III: The Transition Years 1880-1900 will be held on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Grand Traverse Heritage Center. The book is available at the Grand Traverse Heritage Center, Border's Books, Horizon Books, the Traverse City State Bank, Petertyl Drug and Thompson Pharmacy. All proceeds benefit the Grand Traverse Pioneer and Historical Society.