Grand Rapids Historical Commission

10/13/2026

In November 1942, the United States Army Airforce announced that its technical training command had selected Grand Rapids to be the home of a meteorology school. The Army intended to take over Grand Rapids’ civic auditorium, the Pantlind Hotel, and other buildings—such as the manufacturer’s building on Division—for the school. The Army stated that 3,300 cadets would be trained at one time and that classes would last 9 months. Colonel E. C. Black was appointed to command the school. The Army’s “A” meteorology course was taught in Grand Rapids.

In 1943, Cadet Squadron B of the United States Army Airforce’s Technical School graduated from the program in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The image depicts the squadron’s cadets on bleachers outside Grand Rapids’ Civic Auditorium.

There is also a list identifying the graduates depicted in the photo.

After the Army determined that it needed far fewer weather officers for service, the program in Grand Rapids was closed in September 1943.3 The last class of cadets received their diplomas on September 6, 1943.

The Grand Rapids Public Library has a collection of photos and ephemera from the school in the Grand Rapids History Center. The collection includes copies of the school’s newspaper, “The Forecaster.”

- Steve Fellows

Sources:

See “Army Takes Over Civic Auditorium, Pantlind Hotel and Other Buildings.” Grand Rapids Press, November 12, 1942,

See US Air Force Historical Study 56: Weather Training in the AAF 1937-1945. USAF Historical Division, Air University, 1952, 108.https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Studies/51-100/AFD-090529-110.pdf

Id. at 108-110.

See “Parting Salute.” Grand Rapids Press, September 8, 1943, 14.

See Collection 173.https://grplweb.grpl.org/history/findingaids/173.pdf

10/02/2026

Did you know we have some mini-podcasts about the history of Grand Rapids?

Here is our mini-podcast about the history of roads and streets.

10/01/2026

Our Furniture City History page has articles on the history of the furniture industry in Grand Rapids.

Today, we are sharing this one about the furniture pioneers of Grand Rapids.

Early Grand Rapids woodworkers and businessmen, like Haldane, Ball, Baxter, Comstock, and Widdicomb, shaped the city's furniture industry history.

09/24/2026

Eastown Community Association Tour!

Counter-Culture, Change, and Community Action

Explore Eastown’s evolution from 1960 to 1980.

When: Sunday, September 27, 1:00–2:30 p.m.

Where: Meet at Southeast Career Pathways, 1250 Sigsbee Street SE

Cost: $25 per person

Children ages 0–17: Free

Participants will learn how Eastown transitioned from an upper-middle-class suburb into a diverse, counter-cultural, and sometimes overlooked neighborhood—ultimately leading to the formation of the Eastown Community Association (ECA).

Attendees should bring their cell phones, since they’ll be able to access a slideshow of historical images illustrating the people and places featured on the tour.

Tickets are available at: https://www.eastown.org/tours

Thanks in advance for your consideration.

09/23/2026

Hall School Construction
Universal Studio - 1955

At the far left signs for Geo. Datema & Sons, General Contrators and Engineers, and Don William Corporation, Heating, Plumbing and Air Conditioning are posted. A Galewood Furniture truck is behind the signs parked on the street. A truck and a two cars are parked on the building site. A temporary consturction building is at the back of the site, and the Bethel Christian Reformed Church can be seen in the distance behind the truck.

09/16/2026

ArtPrize, "Nessie on the Grand"

GRHC - 2009

The Nessie Project (Thomas Birks, Richard App, David Valdisseri, and Joachim Jensen) of Grand Rapids MI received $7000 for sixth place in the 2009 ArtPrize competition. The sculpture of the Loch Ness Monster was placed in the Grand River between the Blue Bridge and the Fulton St. Bridge.

09/14/2026

Fulton St. Cemetery Historical Tour
Fulton Street Cemetery

Saturday, October 10 • 10 AM - 12 PM

Several local historical groups have combined to provide a free guided tour of Fulton St. Cemetery.

Under the organization of the Grand Rapids Historical Commission, local historians from various organizations have combined to create a guided tour of Fulton St. Cemetery. This tour will include learning about the cemetery itself, some of its residents, and learning about funerary symbolism. This is a two-hour walking tour. Please note that Fulton St. Cemetery may have trip hazards, uneven terrain, roots, and rocks.

Parking is on-street in the neighborhood around Fulton St. Cemetery.

Click the link below to register!

Several local historical groups have combined to provide a free guided tour of Fulton St. Cemetery.

09/09/2026

Streetcar Interior #1

Murch Morris

The interior of an older streetcar shows bench-style wooden seats on metal supports, windows that opened on both sides of the car, buzzers on posts between the windows so a rider could notify the conductor he wished to get off, and electric lights along the edge of the ceiling. Advertisements line the area just below the ceiling. On an overhead arch near the rear of the car is its number, 713; to the right is the name of the manufacturer, the J.G. Brill Co. of Philadelphia. The brake and drive works are at the far end of the car where the motorman was located.

09/08/2026

Centennial Views
O. W. Horton - 1876

A three story and four story building are decorated for the 1876 Centennial. The one on the left displays a large five-pointed star. Three awnings with lettered advertising cover the store fronts. The middle one is a grocer where a horse and wagon wait in front. In the center forefront of the photo is a gas street lamp.

09/02/2026