Sad, sad times in Battle Creek

Wednesday, February 27, 2013 0 No tags Permalink

Lately I’ve been posting around the theme of Detroit affecting the rest of the state of Michigan, including hometown Battle Creek. You may recall that in April of 2012, Forbes Magazine had Battle Creek listed as number 9 on the most dangerous cities for women. The fun just continues, with Battle Creek being listed as number 8 on the list of Saddest U.S. Cities (University of Vermont Computation Story Lab). Forbes Magazine has three Michigan cities in the top ten of its Most Miserable U.S. Cities list.

Forbes Magazine’s “Most Miserable” U.S. Cities

1. Detroit
2. Flint, Mich.
3. Rockford, Ill.
4. Chicago
5. Modesto, Calif.
6. Vallejo, Calif.
7. Warren, Mich.
8. Stockton, Calif.
9. Lake County, Ill.
10. New York
11. Toledo, Ohio
12. St. Louis
13. Camden, N.J.
14. Milwaukee
15. Atlantic City, N.J.
16. Atlanta
17. Cleveland
18. Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
19. Gary, Ind.
20. Youngstown, Ohio

University of Vermont Computation Story Lab’s “Saddest” U.S. cities

Saddest U.S. cities
1. Beaumont, Texas
2. Albany, Ga.
3. Texas City, Texas
4. Shreveport, La.
5. Monroe, La.
6. Flint, Mich.
7. Memphis, Tenn.
8. Battle Creek, Mich.
9. Lima, Ohio
10. Houma, La.


If you’re interested in learning more about the saddest list, which is based on tweets, you should check out the blog posting. The blog post really gives you something to think about, especially if you tweet. Do you think their correlation is correct? Considering that Battle Creek has made some other rather unpleasant lists lately, it’s certainly possible.

Winter Storm Rocky hit last night. This morning when I got to work, I went out to shovel six inches of heavy, wet snow out of the adoptable dog kennels. Good thing I didn’t tweet about it, as my thoughts were not happy.

Winter Storm Rocky

It sure is pretty, though. I just hope we don’t lose power at home. The snow is weighing so heavily on the trees, branches almost touched my car as I drove down our road.

Still feeling sad? Here is a photo of two cats eating off a paper plate.

two cats eating off a paper plate

Golden Anchor Motel

Thursday, February 21, 2013 0 No tags Permalink

Golden Anchor Motel
Golden Anchor Motel
700 N. State St. (I-75 Bus-Loop)
St. Ignace, Mich. 49781 . . . Ph. 906-643-9666
Hot Water Heat – Room Thermostats – Tubs-Showers – Free T.V. – Balconies Overlooking Bay and City. Mobile Guide Quality Rated.
(Special Low Rates – Sept., Oct., May, June)

Made by Dexter Press West Nyack, New York. Pub. by COLORFAST FILM SERVICE INC., St. Ignace, Mich. 49781

AAA logos on the postcard, not postally used.

700 N. State Street is now a Budget Host Inn. If it’s the same original building, it is nearly unrecognizable from this postcard. It gets excellent customer reviews.

This postcard was given to me by my friend Beryl.

Lakewood Inn

Thursday, February 7, 2013 0 No tags Permalink

Lakewood Inn2Lakewood Inn
Battle Creek, Michigan
Fabulous dining atop a bluff, overlooking beautiful Goguac Lake. Enjoy superb cuisine and zesty cocktails at the panoramic windows-with-a-view. 3 minutes from 1-94, off Columbia Ave., 7 days weekly.

41795-C Made by Dexter Press Inc. West Nyack, New York. Pub. by Krums Photographic, Battle Creek, Mich. 49014

Lakewood InnLakewood Inn
Battle Creek, Michigan

(same description as above, 26418-C).

These lovely cards were sent to me by my friend Beryl. The Lakewood Inn became the Waterfront (one of the top places to have dinner before prom when I was young), and is now H2O. We haven’t been to eat there since the name change. It hasn’t been getting the best reviews. In fact, I’m not sure it’s even still open.

Grand Trunk Depot, Part Two

Friday, December 28, 2012 0 No tags Permalink

Grand Trunk Depot, Battle Creek, Mich.

Published by Souvenir Post Card Company, Printed in New York.

Postally used and send July 1, 1912 to Mrs. John Nelson, Birmingham, Ala. 1527 North 17th St.

Dear Alta:
Am looking for a letter from you. We are enjoying our stay in Battle Creek so much. Lovingly, Edna.
70 Calhoun St.

The depot now houses Community Action.

Round’s Circle Inn Restaurant

Tuesday, October 23, 2012 0 No tags Permalink

I correspond with a nice older lady named Beryl, and when she found out I collect postcards, she sent me a few. This is Round’s Restaurant in Traverse City, Michigan.

Round’s Restaurant
1033 E. 8th St. Traverse City, MI 49684

Open 5:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (closed Sun.)
Serving Home Cooked Food
for Over 25 Years
Stan & Jan, Your Hosts

Well folks, the Round’s Circle Inn is still in business! And it gets some decent reviews on Yelp!

Downtown Battle Creek, Part Two

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 1 No tags Permalink

This post is for Teri! 🙂 I often wish I could go back in time and walk Battle Creek when it was smaller (and possibly less violent?). This postcard makes it look like downtown is hoppin’ even in the evening. It’s a much different look on most evenings now.

Michigan Avenue at Night, Battle Creek, Michigan. This vibrant, sparkling city in southern Michigan is known the worlld over for its food and cereal production.

Made by Dexter Press, Inc. West Nyack, New York.

Penrod/Hiawatha Card Co., Berrien Center, Michigan 49102. All rights reserved.

Downtown Battle Creek, Part One

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 1 No tags Permalink

View of Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, Michigan

Scherer News Co., Battle Creek, Mich.
Natural Color Reproduction – Curteichcolor Art-Creation Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.

My home town, many years ago.

Sandstone Motel

Thursday, April 29, 2010 0 No tags Permalink

Vintage Postcard – Sandstone Motel

sandstone motel battle creek

Sandstone Motel
Modern, Heated, with Private Showers
Single, Double, and Family Units
Located on U.S. 12
1181 E. Michigan Avenue, 3 Miles East of
Battle Creek, Michigan, and 3 Miles East
of U.S. 12 and M-78 Intersection
Owned and Operated by Otis and Gladys Todd
For Reservation Call WOodward 3-5839

Postally used, postmarked August 4, 11am, 1960 in Battle Creek
3 cent purple liberty stamp

Sent to Mr and Mrs. Dale Dettmer
7029 Lotus Ave
San Gabriel, California

We are staying here.
Nice place! Received your letter, will write later.
Are planning to see Dearborn before going home.
Love,
Milton, Ruth and Debbie

Growing up, we’d often drive past the old Sandstone. I was fascinated by the neon sign and the fact that the place was falling down. Motels with garages attached to the room were popular with the emerging car culture…imagine paying that much for a vehicle, and having to leave it outside at night! This place was torn down several years ago and replaced with a used car parking lot, which ironically is also now in disuse. One of my friends in school moved to the area, and when her father was scouting out the town for a place to live, he stayed at the Sandstone. He told a tale of having the lock not working on the door, and a thin chain was all that was between him and whoever tried to open his door in the middle of the night.

Like this? Check out more Battle Creek:

Lakewood Inn

Historic Maple Street

Grand Trunk Depot