This is the largest Underground Railroad Sculpture in the United States and stands 14 feet high and…read more28 feet log. It shows Harriet Tubman (aka "Black Moses") and Erastus and Sarah Hussey (local "conductors") as they lead a group of runaway slaves to safety. From a nearby marker, "From the 1830s to 1861, thousands of slaves in the southern United States courageously escaped northward to freedom on what became known as the Underground Railroad. Along this secret network, conductors... took great personal risks to ensure the safety of escaping slaves." Commissioned by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to honor the men and women who operated the Underground Railroad, as well as courageous fugitives who fled north to freedom. The bronze monument was created by Ed Dwight of Colorado in 1993. If you're looking for a good photo, morning would probably work better for the angle of the Sun than evening when I went. [Review 11054 overall, 827 of 2019.]

In front of this beautiful and large building that is obviously government related, this worn…read morehistorical marker lets us know what it's all about. Located in downtown Battle Creek near the Underground Railroad Sculpture and the Kellogg House, it reads: "The second Battle Creek Post Office, one of Albert Kahn's earliest commissions, opened in 1907. He designed the structure with reinforced concrete supports, an innovation he later used in his internationally renowned factory designs. The building's stone trim and repeating arches exemplify Second Renaissance Revival architecture. The post office became the Calhoun County Hall of Justice in 1978. The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972." [Review 11055 overall, 828 of 2019.]

This historical marker has been in place since 2002 and is located in front of the large Post…read moreCereals factory (now Kraft Foods). There is some parking nearby. I've been a cereal eater for a long time, enjoying Grape Nuts, Honey Bunches of Oats, Raisin Bran and more. So it was neat to stop by and see a little bit of that here. The marker has two sides. "Charles William "C. W." Post (1854-1914) began his breakfast empire in 1892 when he opened La Vita Inn sanitarium on this site. Post's first commercial success occurred in 1894 when he created the hot beverage Postum. In 1896 he organized the Postum Cereal Company. His continued experiments with grains resulted in Grape-Nuts, his first cold cereal, in 1897. In 1908-09 sales from Grape Nuts, Postum, and Post Toasties surpassed $5 million. Upon Post's death, his daughter Marjorie ran the company, continuing to advertise extensively and expanding the product line. In 1929 Postum became the General Foods Corporation. The Philip Morris Companies purchased General Foods in 1985, and the plant became part of Kraft Foods in 1989." "Breakfast cereal production began on this site in 1894 when C. W. Post perfected his Postum drink. Remarkable as a factory with structures dating from as early as 1895, the complex reflects the evolution of cereal making. Post began commercial production in one barn. Eventually everything from research to grain processing to packaging occurred here. Known during the early 1900s as the "white city" because of the widespread use of white paint, the complex grew to include grain silos, a power plant, offices, processing plants, a paper factory, and warehouses. Post had his office in the Elizabethan building at the center, which also housed the advertising department. It became the employee clubhouse in 1925." [Review 11180 overall, 955 of 2019.]

Quite faded and needing a refresh, this marker is in a parking lot in Battle Creek's main drag near…read moreDivision Street. Obviously, the original schoolhouse is long gone. But we have this and it made me smile. It reads: "Near this spot, facing the Indian Trail, the village's first public school was erected in 1834. Built of logs, its floor, desks, and benches were constructed of lumber floated down the river from Bellevue's sawmill. Warren B. Shepard, the first teacher, had a dozen pupils. The pioneers paid eighty dollars for their schoolhouse, using it also for religious services, debates, and other meetings. Sometimes friendly Potawatomi Indians dropped in to watch the strange doings." [Review 11134 overall, 908 of 2019.]

You can battle my creek anytime…read more Battle Creek is a lovely city if a little bit abandoned by time. It's a City built around Kellogg's so you'll see that name a lot around here. They're pretty proud of their cereals and I think they're probably the best cereal company there is. The best of a bad bunch, because cereal is actually extremely unhealthy, don't believe the hype. Our bodies were not meant to ingest shelf stable, factory-produced foods. But Kellogg's, yeah. Certainly they were the one that I grew up with in England. I was only here for a few minutes, and I got abused by an extremely overweight old lady, who seemed psychotic. I'm sure she must be very miserable, and decided to take it out on an out-of-state visitor on a Sunday afternoon. The Walmart is fine here (lol). In nearby Kalamazoo, be sure to go here: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tnt-a-touch-of-soul-kalamazoo-3 It's some of the best BBQ in the entire country, despite being hidden in a beauty store! I played a concert here many years ago. Only 7 or 8 people showed up. But I have fond memories of it. Especially of the friendly employees here. It doesn't feel anything like Detroit or Ann Arbor. Honestly it feels more like a city such as Wausau WI, Grand Rapids MI, or Fort Wayne IN. In other news, TFW you create a listing after 20 years of Yelp with no Battle Creek listing, and a week after you upload pix to it, someone else first-to-reviews it ;)

I don't think that it's a mistake that many of us find cemeteries as whole dark and gloomy. Tree…read moreheavy cemeteries that seem to be in perpetual shadow seem so depressing. Often the care they receive are minimal, with narrow two track dirt paths and stonework that is in disrepair and grass that has been inexpertly maintained. Which is probably why I find visiting the Fort Custer National Cemetery to pay respect to the departed heroes I have met in my life a celebration of what is good and decent about this country. The national cemetery is an amazing place that honors our deceased Vets. It is exceedingly well maintained, it is open to the sky, and it's a place that we drive to at least twice a year to remember those who have left this plane of existence and to leave stones on their graves to let others know their loved ones have not been forgotten. (And I do wish that our vets were as carefully cared for before they passed, but I suppose that's another review.)

I am always moved to tears when I visit Fort Custer National Cemetery not just for my family…read moremembers who are resting here but for all those families and soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice. My parents survived Nazi occupation and immigrated to the U.S. in 1951. The one day my mother never forgot was the day the Americans liberated The Netherlands from Nazi occupation. Thank you to all who have given all!

This beach is tiiiiny. Employee was very nice. Admittance fee is $4 and you have to hope you can…read morefind a spot to lay your towels. Half of this beach is maybe 3 feet across for sand. the other half is photographed

On the eastern side of Goguac Lake, this public access park isn't free. It's $2 per person or $5…read moreper car. This is Battle Creek's only park with lake access. Lots of parking, walking paths, several picnic areas with cover, picnic tables, grills, restrooms and playgrounds. I don't know if they have lifeguards at the beach area. Note that the park is only open during summer hours, so be sure to check first. [Review 11187 overall, 962 of 2019.]

This lovely small space along the river features benches, a spot for fishing, a small playground,…read moretrails and a walking path. There is parking for a half dozen or so cars too. It's rather secluded, so be aware of your surroundings. [Review 11185 overall, 960 of 2019.]

Located along Battle Creek in the downtown area of Battle Creek, near City Hall and the Library,…read moreFriendship Park is a small space that seems to be designed for "festival" style performances. The area is cut out in an amphitheater seating arrangement facing a small stage area. Several benches, some trees but the running water behind is very cool. There are a number of summer and spring time performances that are hosted here as well as other theatrical events. The park is ADA accessible and there is parking nearby. [Review 11060 overall, 833 of 2019.]