Issue No. 21

Welcome Home, {{first_name|default:Michigander}}!

In January 1937, Emelia Schaub made history as Michigan's first elected female prosecutor—but her legacy goes far beyond the courtroom.

A legal powerhouse, she was the first woman in U.S. history to successfully defend a murder trial before dedicating her career to Leelanau County.

Schaub is credited with saving the tribal existence of the local Odawa and Ojibwe by fighting to return tax-delinquent lands to them.

Today, the village of Peshawbestown stands as a testament to her battle for justice and Native American sovereignty.

In January 1933, station WXYZ broadcast the first episode of The Lone Ranger, eventually reaching 20 million listeners three times a week.

The show was such a phenomenon it once drew one million fan letters to the Detroit studio for a single giveaway.

The sound of Silver’s galloping hooves wasn't a horse; it was a Detroit sound engineer using coconut shells on a box of gravel.

"Hi-Yo, Silver!" became a legendary catchphrase, proving that Detroit could export imagination just as well as cars.

Who was the first player voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame?
Hint: It wasn't Babe Ruth.

In January 1936, the first Hall of Fame class was announced. Detroit’s Ty Cobb received the most votes of any player, appearing on 222 out of 226 ballots.

Known as the "Georgia Peach," Cobb’s career average of .366 remains the highest in MLB history.

Famous for his "win-at-all-costs" aggression and even jumping in the stands to fight fans, Cobb was hated by many but respected by most as the greatest Tiger to ever play the game.

Tip: Click or tap on your guess to see if you got it right!

To celebrate Statehood Day and our community’s growth, I am officially opening the doors to The 1837 Club and Room 26.

This is an optional patronage-model community designed to sustain our full-time work and engage with our biggest supporters. In a patronage model, you aren't just "buying" a subscription—you are choosing to invest in the mission of preserving Michigan’s stories at a level that feels right for you. And if nothing feels right, I encourage you to stick with our free content. No pressure.

Because I want The 1837 Club to be about community rather than a transaction, every member receives the exact same benefits regardless of their contribution level. Whether you join as The Pioneer ($3), The Resident ($5), or The Delegate ($10), you will get full access to our private Facebook group (Room 26), with exclusive access, bonus history, insider influence, and more.

In honor of Michigan’s 189th birthday, the first 189 members to join will be designated as Founding Members of The 1837 Club and receive a personalized, numbered certificate.

As a reader of Michigan History Digest, you get early access before the official social launch tomorrow morning. To claim your spot and help us keep Michigan's history alive, or learn more, click HERE, or The 1837 Club below.

Last April, I stood at a crossroads after being laid off, wondering if I could turn my passion for Michigan’s history into something meaningful and do it full-time.

I started Welcome Home History with a simple mission: to make our state's rich stories more accessible and deliver them directly to you.

Today, as we pass 21,000 followers across our community, completing 5 full months of Michigan History Digest, and approaching Michigan’s 189th birthday this Monday, I am truly moved by your support.

This project was born out of a setback, but because of you, it has become a mission. Thank you for helping me build this home.

Until next week, thank you for reading Michigan History Digest.
— Zac and the Welcome Home History Team.