The Rise and Fall of Verona: Battle Creek's Rival Village - Battle Creek, Michigan

Let's explore the history of the rise and fall of Verona, Battle Creek's rival village from its early days starting in 1836. Founded by pioneer General Ezra Convis, who was also the first Speaker of the House in the Michigan Legislature and who at one time owned half the land that is now the City of Battle Creek. The Verona village had a remarkable growth between 1836 to 1838 when under the guidance of Convis, but that all came to a tragic end in early 1838.
#BattleCreekHistory #BattleCreekMI #VeronaMI
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[@1_fishin_magician153]

awesome video.....thank you kindly as I was born in Battle Creek ( 1964 ) and lived off Riverside Drive in Lakeview Township until 1978. I am very familiar with all the names you mentioned but your video brought me up to pace thanks again ! * thumbs up from Lake George, NY !!

[@kenlong5033]

Great video. I did not know all of what you talked about. Thank you for the history lesson. I was left with two things: one thing was. If a Bearcat classmate of 1965 with the last name of Convis was related to Ezra in any way. And two.. the old Verona barber shop's barber lovingly appointed himself the mayor of Verona. Finally... I miss Speed's. Thank you Michael Delaware.

[@MichaelDelaware]

There is a good chance your classmate was related to Convis. He did have children who stayed in the area.

[@kenlong5033]

@@MichaelDelaware Thanks Mike.

[@robertpeterson2573]

Very informative and interesting. I love learning about the early history of Battle Creek and the surrounding areas. Thank you for putting these together.

[@alicejogwe1361]

Really good Michael

[@stevenewman1012]

Michael's local history videos are just excellent and really bring the past alive - much more interesting than just reading about it in a book. I always look forward to the next one.

[@MichaelDelaware]

Thank you so much!

[@bduff71]

excellent job again, thank you

[@shawnrainer]

Excellent! Thank you for posting.

[@thephantomeagle2]

Thank you for this. I've been down the Linear Park countless times when I lived there. I'd always wondered about that damn and the concrete looking rocks around it. Now I know. Thanks.

[@maryasmonga-knapp8785]

Just love and appreciate your educational and insightful videos! Love them!

[@mikewynne7131]

I knew of Verona Road and Convis Twp- but never knew the history. Thank you.

[@MichaelDelaware]

It is a fascinating history.

[@rickpat8596]

Although there aren’t sources, I can’t imagine the name Verona comes from anywhere but the setting of Romeo and Juliet. An ambitious and intelligent man like Convis strikes me as the type to capitalize on the greatness of the past

[@MichaelDelaware]

You could be right. He well educated.

[@johnmuncy4872]

Very informative

[@ElizabethYoung-s8m]

My Great Grandfather Charles H. Merchant operated the Old Vernona Mill which was listed to be on Emmett street. He died in 1928 and moved to Battle Creek area in 1903.

[@jameshaley8162]

Bravo, Michael. Well done, sir. I have found your historical videos of Battle Creek and surrounding area very interesting and enlightening and I thank you for myself and other history buffs out there.
I look forward to finding your videos on You Tube...thankfully, I've Subscribed.
Thanks again, Michael.

[@MichaelDelaware]

Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed it.

[@J_Calvin_Hobbes]

Thank you Mr. Delaware for sharing your interest & passion for local history. I am curious if the Verona Dam, such as it is, served any real purpose? Also I learned something about John Harvey Kellogg watching American PIckers. They showed a "Battle Creek Mechanical Horse" on an episode. A search turned up an article dated April 3, 2018 in the Washington post that is good reading, which states that President Calvin Coolidge had one in the White House. :D One of the mechanical horses is supposed to reside in the Historic Adventist Village.

[@MichaelDelaware]

Very interesting.

[@joezeigler1064]

In more recent history…
The loss of Ritzee & the Spoed’s Koffee Shop fire changed the commercial nature of Verona

[@gracerev1]

Really enjoyed this. Lived in Battle Creek from 1980-2018 ten of those years in Verona on Yale St. Never knew any of this. Was General Convis associated in some way with Convis United Methodist Church?

[@MichaelDelaware]

Convis Twp was named after him.

[@MurphsMagnetMania]

I'm not sure how many do, but my family still calls this area Verona. Likely due that my dad grew up right next to Bailey Park also his family had a soda shop back in the day giving them a mark in the city's history.

[@MichaelDelaware]

Yes, I still call that area Verona myself.

[@J_Calvin_Hobbes]

I have also heard & referred to the area around Capital Ave & Emmett St "Verona area" all my 55+ years, same as Level Park area, Wattles Park area, etc. I've always wondered how Lakeview came to be. (Hint hint Mr. Delaware!)

[@StockednStuffed]

Very interesting history. I love info like this

[@tim37471]

Verona still is strong and going.

[@blika2235]

Do a video on the striving black community that was flooded out in battle creek

[@MichaelDelaware]

I have not done research into the flood yet. Do you know what year that was?

[@sonofapollo5892]

Interesting 🧐