Hometown History Tours

“I had no idea there was so much out there and/or that it could be presented in such a “mixed media” sort of way: houses, monuments, cemeteries, etc.”-—-Dennis Nawrocki, College for Creative Studies faculty, author, art critic

Hometown History Tours first release in the It happened Here series:

Glory, Valor & Sacrifice

Southeast Michigan’s Contribution to the Civil War

$10 plus $2.50 S/H

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Spiral-bound, self-guided walking/driving guidebook features the local people, places and events that played prominent roles in preserving the Union and shaping our Nation’s history.

“Too often people think they have to travel to Pennsylvania or the South to learn about or experience the conflict that nearly destroyed our nation,” says Glory, Valor & Sacrifice author Karin Risko. “Right in our own backyard are markers and monuments that pay homage to the brave souls from our area who fought and even died in those far away battlefields.”

One example of a local man who valiantly fought to save his country and died doing so is Grosse Ile’s Colonel Thornton Fleming Brodhead. Brodhead served the great state of Michigan in many capacities including prosecuting attorney, deputy secretary of state and state senator. He was the owner and editor of the Democratic Free Press (forerunner of the Detroit Free Press) and Detroit Commercial Bulletin. In 1853, President Franklin Pierce appointed him Postmaster of Detroit.

Brodhead, who had served with distinction during the Mexican War and earned the rank of Full Captain, was commissioned to raise a regiment of cavalry when the Civil War broke out. He became Colonel of the 1st Michigan Cavalry. Like many other men from Michigan, this husband and father to six children was mortally wounded at the Second Battle of Bull Run (Second Manassas). Upon his deathbed, Brodhead penned a final letter to his wife and children.

He wrote:  “Two bullets have gone through my Chest, and directly through the lung. I suffer little now, but at first the pain was acute. I have won the Soldier’s fate. I hope that from heaven I may see the glorious old Flag waive again over the individual Union I have loved so well. Farewell wife and Babes and Friends. We shall meet again. Your loving Thornton.”

Glory, Valor & Sacrifice is dedicated in remembrance of Colonel Thornton Fleming Brodhead (author Karin Risko resides on Grosse Ile), but his story of heroism is just one of many found in this unique guidebook.

Buy the guidebook today and take the tour – by yourself or pack up the whole family. What a fitting way to celebrate Michigan’s history and honor the contributions and sacrifices of those who came before us and bravely served our nation.

Reserve your copy today!

Click here to order online via PayPal

Or order by mail:

Make checks or money orders payable to:

Hometown History Tours

c/o Hometown History Tours

24401 Hickory Drive

Grosse Ile, MI 48138

Include $10.00 for each guidebook PLUS $2.50 shipping/handling (add $1.00  S/H for each additional guide)