The Rise and Fall of the Celery Capital | Kalamazoo's Bittersweet History | Southern Michigan

[@JeffLane-f7y]

The Kalamazoo Central HS fight song includes the phrase “Celery City Michigan” in it.

[@PacifierMusic]

My wife and I grew up in mid Michigan. My daughter was born there. We think Michigan is the greatest place on Earth. Thank you for providing such fascinating historical content about the state we all adore. You are both appreciated more than you know. Your vids allow us to travel back to the places we love. We’re coming back for retirement. See you then :)

[@RestlessViking]

Awesome!

[@jayneo8436]

I look forward to the Chuck and Poppins Michigan/historical lessons for the week. Love your channel👍🫶

[@RestlessViking]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@tetraire3844]

Portage's Celery Flats were about 1/2 mile north of the park in the small area of low land along Westnedge Ave. That area is now covered with retail. In celery's glory days, Portage was very sparsely populated and the older celery production areas of K'zoo that stretched eastward near and along the south bank of the K'zoo River to the Comstock area greatly outproduced Portage. Portage as we see it today didn't start to happen until the mid to late 1960's when Portage incorporated as a city. At that time, that Grange stood along the RR track, about 100 yds west of Wolber's General Store (SE corner of Westnedge & Centre), about 1/2 mile south of the Celery Flats park. In those days the area was known as Portage Center. Hope this isn't TMI. Thanks for posting.

[@RestlessViking]

Nice! The old maps I could find didn't really provide much information. Thanks for filling us in.

[@peterrudy766]

Good Stuff!

[@Pancreaticdefect]

Celery Flats had almost its entire population of trees removed by a tornado back in May. Its barely recognizable now.

[@PracticalKen]

Thanks for sharing another history adventure.

[@evalinesanderson]

This is so cool! I had no idea about any of this. I love learning about the area from you two!

[@mitchellholroyd2837]

Thanks for showcasing my home town.

[@jlions72]

Love your history lessons you make for us and make it interesting to boot ..Great Job look forward to your next video Thanks for sharing

[@RestlessViking]

Glad you like them!

[@cecilberry71]

Wow grew up in Michigan n NEVER KNEW THIS! Thanks again for your channel n sharing

[@freetimeoffshore3157]

I saw you had cheese dip at the start of the video along with carrots. Imlay city has grown carrots for a long time , muck fields are north of town along m 53. Nice historical videos!!

[@HFarms1955]

Yet another AWESOME HISTORY LESSON FROM YOU TWO!!! Im so glad i found your channel a month ago!! You guys ROCK! Thanks again!!!

[@RestlessViking]

Rock on!

[@nancyborden210]

Amazing! I take the old plank road right by Portage quite a bit. Looks like a great park!

[@mrblaze8191]

I learned something every time I watch your videos and live here my whole life thanks for great videos

[@dgm5617]

From Kalamazoo and love Celery Flatts. Thank you for the history lesson!!

[@rickahlberg7020]

I love the obscure historical facts you guys dig up! I'm a huge fan of Michigan history and whenever I watch or read your stories I'm captivated by your knowledge and delivery of these historical facts. Thank you for sharing!

[@KUEHLKUEST]

Someone say Party? We're game!! Very interesting to know about how different the celery was back then. J & C

[@brandonmahoney6811]

I found your channel a couple of weeks ago and have been binge watching ever since. Thank you for the videos.

[@RestlessViking]

Welcome Brandon! And thanks for watching!

[@tedanderson3438]

I lived on north side near the softball fields and was told from Mosel south to Patterson and Douglas east to the Kalamazoo R was all celery fields. The soil is rich black dirt I had wonderful gardens. A M Todd grew lots of mint in the area too and still produce lots of oil on Douglas ave, the neighborhood smelled minty fresh quite often

[@jimlane2961]

That's all I was ever told as a child in the seventies that the north side of kalamazoo was nothing but celery fields back in the day

[@tinman8518]

Hey neighbor!! I grew up on Woodward Ave. and my back yard butted up to the lighted softball diamonds at the north end of Versluis-Dickinson ball fields. My Great-Grandfather came from The Netherlands in 1910 and settled on North Westnedge right next to where the U.S. 131 Business Loop comes through. He and his 12 children raised celery along Amsterdam Street. I lived down-wind from AM Todd, and I too, for 21 years until I married and moved away, enjoyed the mint aromas. I also remember hearing the sounds coming from the Douglas Drive-In Theater every night.

[@tedanderson3438]

​@@tinman8518l was told Amsterdam st where I lived(26yrs)was a trail between fields. To this day a scary narrow road. l left the area 4 yrs ago to return to my NE Mi roots but have fond memories of the wonderful neighbors in the Woo-Am-We neighborhood

[@pmbair]

They used to grow celery in the muck bottom lands north of St. Johns Mi. where I grew up. The fields can be seen as you drive north from St. Johns on US 27.

[@tobyhavaneese1557]

I didn’t know that. I knew they grew mint there. Interesting

[@stephenrrose]

I lived 6 years in Portage Michigan along Westnedge. Then the earth movers came in, leveled out the farm land across the street and Crossroads Mall and shopping area was born. That's when we moved to Galesburg MI. Lived in Kalamazoo County. Never knew about the celery history! Nice mention of the Heated Bathrooms. We know that "History" TeeHee! Thanks for the unknown to me History walk and talk! I'm still always learning from you two! Thank you for the educational and entertaining videos!

[@P.SeanCoady]

Very cool. If you throw a party I'll bring the celery..

[@RestlessViking]

We could do some sort of Celery-Con. . .

[@lakesuperiorskywatchernatu9515]

Still celery juice was amazing in my health recovery during chemo.

[@bobwilson7384]

Wow! That area sure likes to move Barns and other buildings. In Hickory Corners, a short drive east of K-zoo, there is the Gilmore Collection. Cool old Barns full of cool old cars.

[@lyleschull6516]

Thanks for the history lesson

[@benjaminkrum9880]

Interesting story! Fascinating Michigan history!

[@jwright1253]

Favorite place to walk

[@BeccahMitten]

Thanks for highlighting Kalamazoo

[@robertharold2503]

I’m from portage..great home town

[@jafinch78]

Awesome! Gets me thinking AM Tod might be interesting as well, though not certain what's all around public. Paper and bog iron comes to mind historically as well. Nothing like the volume of celery I'm guessing. Interesting how the implements made were literally survival requirements usually at least at first for literal production and true development and not developing land fills.

[@2011griz]

Grew up in Portage. My Grandfather raised celery right here in the 40's & 50's. Thanks for this video. Hey ... if you're seeing this ... any update on your Beer making? I've been watching, don't think i missed it.

[@RestlessViking]

The brewer that made Restless Viking Red just bought the brewery she started in Costa Rica. Since I drink whiskey and know very little about beer, it might be a little while. Though she is planning on consulting for the brewer. We'll try and keep you posted.

[@2011griz]

@@RestlessViking Have done a bit of brewing myself in the past. I really enjoyed that show.

[@janerkenbrack3373]

Yes, there really is a Kalamazoo!

[@kevinismawayoflife4660]

You guys visited this spot at the right time. Celery Flats was wiped out by tornado about a month ago.

[@RestlessViking]

We are there now. While the trees are flatten, it looks like all the buildings but the barn and amphitheater escaped damage

[@cliffordfender1159]

I'm a Portage boy, and recognize all those old buildings you're walking by. Many of them from before they were moved. Thanks for a great watch. Cheers !!

[@theronnesbitt]

Celery Party and a meet and greet!

[@juliebauman3998]

Born and raised in Portage. My family was in celery in Kalamazoo.

[@daveevans7438]

My very first job ever was working the muck fields in Comstock MI...right alongg the Kzoo river.

[@tonydugal5275]

This Kalamazoo resident loves your history videos.

[@kimcrawford21]

Our Mother’s family (Schippers- Schippers Lane in Kalamazoo) was involved in celery production. Our Mother as a child sold celery door to door from a small wagon.

[@burtrando1974]

We still have a lot of muck fields here in Byron Center.

[@LadyYoop]

Holy wha...This is beyond cool...I love all your vids. You two are amazing! Thank you!

[@RestlessViking]

You're too kind!! ☺

[@peggyhemenger8983]

Wow, I had no idea, and I love celery--topped with peanut butter, cream cheese, hummus, or all by itself! I'm rooting for a party at Stuart House, be sure to have celery on hand😋

[@driftwood4458]

Wow! Thanks for this story. My grandfather owned a celery farm in Muskegon off Airline Road. I worked on the farm for a couple summers. A very hard job. Much of his celery was sold to Campbells Soup Company the rest was sorted for grocery stores. I have fond memories of working on that farm.

[@RestlessViking]

Very cool!

[@brodymk45]

I didn’t even know this part existed! I was there about a month ago to check out the tornado damage by the park area. Also didn’t know they had nice bathrooms lol!

[@gus473]

Celebrating this with a celery stalk in my breakfast beverage..... 😵‍💫😉✌️

[@RestlessViking]

😂😅

[@michaelhooper9576]

Yes yes a party would be fun. We will print the invitations 😊

[@John-R.61]

How cool is that 😊

[@jannajacob219]

When I was a young child most of the celery available where I lived was the sweeter blanched type. When that wasn't available anymore it took me a while to get used to the celery we eat today.

[@RestlessViking]

👍

[@troymilks7342]

White celery is like German white asparagus: Spargle. Germans love it. We saw it in every little market and street kiosk. Alas, no one tried to sell it to us on the trains....

[@marciapotter8130]

Still grown in the Decatur Michigan area, about 30 miles west of Kzoo.

[@chuckdeyo291]

Love what you guys do.

[@ymbmom]

I need to get some Celery 😊

[@RestlessViking]

😃

[@marilynbedrosian4552]

Thanks Chuck and Poppins, loved the video, so fun!! I’ll be “stalking” my local grocer for better celery😂

[@RestlessViking]

🤣

[@patsweeney0]

Nice Job.

[@eaglescoutjpb]

My wife and I got married at the Stuart house in 2018. We love going to the flats. Even the walking trail is wonderful

[@JeffinBville]

I knew a bit about the celery thing and there's still a large(ish) farm on M40 at Hamilton. Interestingly, just two weeks ago I met a guy at the Marine Corp band show who was telling me a great deal more about it than I had known. And, now this! If anyone knows of a farm market that sells local celery in season I'd really like to try something fresher than the stuff in the markets. I keep looking for them but I've yet to see one.

[@juliebauman3998]

Edings Celery.

[@JeffinBville]

@@juliebauman3998 I had mentioned them in my reply. I was looking for something closer.

[@maijaliimatta296]

So many ways to eat celery. Peanut butter, cream cheese, hummus, or cooked in dishes.

[@danielmarmer679]

don’t forget a Bloody Mary

[@maijaliimatta296]

@@danielmarmer679 good one!

[@elainesrottenbottom296]

I used to be head grower @ nursery & we only had 1 variety of celery. But try Burpee for seeds & or Park seeds. Those were the 2 main places we got seeds. Keep the extra in your freezer. You'll have extra! Celery seeds are like ground pepper if I remember correctly.

[@RestlessViking]

Ok thanks!

[@robt8094]

I think there is a connection with Kellogg and celery. The precursor to Corn Flakes was celery based.

[@dieselmann34]

I grew up in portage. And knew it was a big celery grower. And paper was huge. Now they are some of the biggest flower and flower bulb growers and shipper of North America. Bert Hyble’s being the biggest flower shipper in the USA. And they have the biggest bleacher manufacturer in the world. In Kalamazoo, over by where the old gm plant use to be.

[@BettyFremont]

From what I understand Portage library offers seeds to use? Never asked only heard this. Maybe if still applicable someone who does grow heirloom celery could donate?

[@themueth]

Celery party !

[@gus473]

At the Grange! 🎉😎✌️

[@rollingcoal9500]

Hell yeah throw a party! Everyone has to show up dressed as celery with there favorite dipping sauce. Let me know the date

[@RestlessViking]

😂😅

[@johnkoch7386]

hey I live about a mile from there

[@erikl6337]

Wondering if you could ever do a video on Rogers City? It has a pretty interesting history especially regarding the beginning with the murder of tyrant Albert Molitor.

[@RestlessViking]

Good Suggestion.

[@erikl6337]

​@RestlessViking also. Thanks for this video, we continue to be educated and entertained. Thank you for all the time, effort, and work you put into these videos!

[@stanfogg5869]

Do you sell merchandise.

[@RestlessViking]

@@stanfogg5869 We do. Though, we are just starting to build out our store. restless-viking.myshopify.com/

[@LightoftheMoon]

Ooo, that would be an awesome episode! Spent summers in Rogers City hen I was a little girl. There's some stories for sure! I remember one time a freighter was in trouble and anybody that had a car drove to the beach way north of town and shined headlights out over the water to guide the Captain away from shore. Heck that must've been 66 or 67'... a very too long ago time ~

[@jonjonword6222]

Kazoo had all sorts of great industries in the past

[@HawaiiSustainable]

Scottish farmers on it everywhere for generations

[@korodski]

🫡🫡🫡

[@markdegoede6568]

Have you seen the tornado damage at this park?

[@turtlegrl1749]

🤢 Raw celery is so gross! Though I do like driving past the fields because it smells like a Bloody Mary🤤

[@peterrudy766]

I Knew Kalamazoo Was Known As The Celery City, And Also Known As The Paper City, But Did Not Know The History You Two Provided. I Was Kind Of Saddened To Learn, As A WMU Paper Grad, That Wells And Water Drainage From The Paper Industry Helped Along The Demise Of The Celery Industry. I Have Grown A Golden Celery So Now Am Wondering If That Traces Back To The Kalamazoo Variety. Great Job You Two! Some Day Your Statue Will Be Erected And Honored!

[@RestlessViking]

I used a picture of the Golden King Celery, but I don't know the strain of Kalamazoo Celery. I'm thinking golden was close, but wild celery is quite a bit different. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@Pancreaticdefect]

I live in Kalamazoo, its my favorite place in the world. But I hate celery.

[@RestlessViking]

😂😂 Not a fan of celery myself. But, I guess the Kalamazoo kind tasted much different. Kalamazoo has a special place in our hearts too. In fact, our final resting place will be in Kazoo.

[@Pancreaticdefect]

@@RestlessViking You should do a follow-up where you record how much different Celery Flats looks after it took a direct hit from that EF2 tornado last May.

[@acusentino]

Love it!