Department of History
Industrial History
The Great Lakes region is entangled in its Industrial past. The region’s natural resources like copper, timber, and iron ore fueled manufacturing centers like Detroit, Cleveland, and Gary. These cities utilized the region’s excellent transportation resources to ship goods worldwide. Virtually every city and town in the region was reliant on some form of heavy industry for economic support. After World War II industry rapidly left the region causing economic malaise and creating what has become known today as the 'Rust Belt.' Western Michigan University, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is in the heart of this region and is and ideal place to combine a study of industrial history and public history.
