Michigan History
Southern Cuisine
Classic Tv
Cars of the Past
Words We Don't Use Anymore
100
In the southeastern corner of the state, along the river that separates Michigan from Canada, this 1701 settlement became the birthplace of the American auto industry.
What is Detroit?
100
These greens turned silky as they cooked, soaking up smoky flavor from a ham bone, and the broth — rich and savory — was good enough to dip cornbread into.
What are collard greens?
100
This black‑and‑white sitcom followed a Brooklyn bus driver whose big dreams usually stayed inside that tiny apartment with the icebox humming in the corner.
What are The Honeymooners?
100
This 1950s American sports car had long, flowing fiberglass curves that caught the light like polished seashells. The chrome grille looked like a wide smile, and when you sat inside, the thin steering wheel and low bucket seats made you feel like you were slipping into a speedboat.
What is the Chevrolet Corvette?
100
This old word once meant something simply “odd” or “off,” the kind of thing your grandmother might say while tilting her head at a crooked picture frame.
What is “queer”?
200
Just west of the state’s geographic center, this town briefly held the title of Michigan’s capital before the honor moved a short distance east.
What is Marshall?
200
These beans were tender and earthy, simmered until they absorbed smoky flavor, and often served with rice so the juices had something to soak into.
What are black‑eyed peas?
200
This long‑running Western took place on a ranch near Virginia City, where a widowed father raised three sons with very different personalities.
What is Bonanza?
200
This 1959 luxury giant had tailfins that soared upward like chrome wings, with bullet‑shaped taillights that looked ready to fire. The interior felt like a living room on wheels — wide bench seats, soft upholstery, and a dashboard that sparkled with knobs, switches, and bright metal trim.
What is the 1959 Cadillac?
200
This playful word for nonsense was often said by grandfathers shaking their heads at tall tales, usually with a half‑smile that softened the scolding.
What is “malarkey”?
300
Along the Lake Huron shoreline near the northeastern tip of the mitten, this War of 1812 battle saw American forces attempt to seize a strategic island fort just offshore.
What is the Battle of Mackinac Island?
300
This dish had a crust that crackled when you bit into it, the seasoning warming your tongue, and the inside stayed tender and juicy — the kind of food you could smell from the porch before it reached the table.
What is fried chicken?
300
This sitcom featured a talking horse who only spoke to one man — usually while leaning over the stall door with perfect timing.
What is Mister Ed?
300
This 1960s Pontiac muscle car had a wide, aggressive front end with twin hood scoops that looked like nostrils ready to inhale the road. The engine’s deep rumble shook the pavement, and the long, straight body lines made it look fast even when parked.
What is the Pontiac GTO?
300
This word described someone a bit fussy — the type who straightens doilies, smooths tablecloths, and notices a speck of dust no one else sees.
What is “persnickety”?
400
On the Lake Michigan coast, north of Grand Rapids but south of the Sleeping Bear region, this lumber port shipped timber to rebuild Chicago after its great fire.
What is Muskegon?
400
This dish starts with flour, cold butter, and buttermilk mixed just until shaggy — the dough patted gently by hand, then baked until the tops turn pale gold and the layers pull apart in soft, steamy sheets.
What are buttermilk biscuits?
400
This musical family traveled in a brightly colored bus, with matching outfits and a mom who kept everyone in harmony.
What is The Partridge Family?
400
Originally built for soldiers, this rugged little vehicle had flat fenders, a no‑nonsense grille, and a stance that said it could climb over just about anything. On camping trips, you’d see it splattered with mud, looking happiest when the road disappeared.
What is the Willys Jeep?
400
This lively word for a big fuss or commotion was the kind you’d hear when too many people tried to help in the kitchen at once.
What is “hullabaloo”?
500
In the south‑central stretch of the mitten — the part where the highways start to cross like spokes — this city grew along an early rail line and became known for a large brick prison whose walls still stand just west of downtown.
What is Jackson?
500
This dessert uses sliced peaches tossed with sugar and a little cinnamon, their juices bubbling up through a soft, biscuit‑like topping that browns at the edges as it bakes.
What is peach cobbler?
500
This 1960s sitcom followed a family who lived in a spooky mansion, complete with a butler who moved at a very… deliberate pace.
What is The Addams Family?
500
This 1964 Ford had a hood that seemed to stretch out forever, with sharp, clean lines and a stance that made it look ready to pounce. Inside, the round gauges glowed softly at night, and the engine gave off a deep, confident rumble that vibrated through the seatback.
What is the Ford Mustang (1964)?
500
This lighthearted insult for someone not very bright was usually said with a chuckle, more teasing than unkind, often around a card table.
What is “nincompoop”?