2025 Bud, Not Buddy-TeachersFirst Reading Trek
This map is intended to help students better understand the places and content mentioned in the text. The real-life places, as well as experiences of family members shared with author Christopher Paul Curtis, are included in the various layers to aid in the time period understanding. There are additional locations in the layers to increase time line comprehension. Some cities are listed on multiple layers with images appropriate to that time frame and situation.

Author Christopher Paul Curtis' Information

Flint, MI
Christopher Paul Curtis was born in Flint on May 10, 1953; his mother was an educator, and his father was a chiropodist and worked in a factory as a worker and later a supervisor. Flint, Michigan began a trading post in 1819 on a fording place on the river and grew into a community as a trading hub for fur trading, lumber, and farming. The city's name is derived from local Native American's who called the nearby river Pewonigowink, meaning River of Fire Stone; learn more about the Flint River at https://www.flintriver.org/. With a wealth of natural resources at hand, Flint became a city in 1855 and a manufacturing center for horse-drawn carriages and then horseless carriages made by General Motors. As Flint grew, the community built arches with electric lights in the downtown area, and then in 1905, two "Vehicle City" arches were added, as seen in the first image, honoring the city's transportation impact. During the late 20th century, a significant portion of the auto industry of Flint closed or relocated, hurting the economy there. (Photo Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2020722691/ and Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Clark Elementary School Location Approximate Location
Christopher Paul Curtis attended Clark Elementary School This school, opened in 1912, added a new wing for its gymnasium and ten years later the school closed in 1971 and was razed in 2014. A postcard showing the school can be found at

Pierce Elementary School
When Christopher Paul Curtis attended Pierce Elementary School, he was in the Academically Gifted Program. This school is still in operation.

McKinley Junior High School
Mr. Curtis attended two junior high schools during his early teen years, Whittier and McKinley Junior High Schools. During this time, he was elected to the student council - a first in the school's history to have a student of color elected. Both of these schools have since closed and been razed.

Flint Southwestern High School
Christopher Paul Curtis graduated from Flint Southwestern High School in 1972 at the age of 19. This high school has been replaced with a new school with a similar name. Following graduation, Mr. Curtis, like most graduates of that time in Flint, applied to the University of Michigan-Flint and the auto industry venues there in the Flint area.

Suitcase Theatre, Inc.
After his high school graduation, Mr. Curtis joined the Lansing-based Suitcase Theatre, a non-profit organization providing theater and art experiences for youth and families. This performing arts group presented songs and pieces by Langston Hughes across Europe, Canada, and the United States. This organization is now based in Toronto, Ontario.

University of Michigan-Flint
The University of Michigan-Flint was established in 1956, joining the Ann Arbor satelite campus and would later be joined with the Dearborn campus. Learn more about the campus at  https://bit.ly/3uvAnMA. Upon his high school graduation Mr. Curtis had applied for admission, taking night classes as a part time student while working in the auto industry. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1996. This image shows a dormitory on the campus; while Mr. Curtis did not live on campus, he most likely would have walked past them on his way to and from classes. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Fisher Body #1
The Fisher Brothers established a closed car body to protect the passengers from the weather and maintain the car body's construction despite the intense vibrations of early motors; the company was founded in 1905, and by 1913, the company was able to construct 100,000 car bodies per year. By 1914 Fisher was the largest manufacturer of auto bodies globally. During WWI and WWII, tanks and aircraft were built in many Fisher plants while others continued to make automobiles. The company was dissolved in 1984. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3Ik1IXX. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Flint Public Library
Taking a year off from work, Mr. Curtis began his writing career at the Flint Public Library's Children's Room in 1993; he wrote his first story, The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963,  on regular paper, and later, his son typed the words using a computer. This library building replaced the historic Flint Carnegie Library in1958. Visit https://www.fpl.info/ to learn more.

Detroit, MI
Christopher Paul Curtis and his family relocated to the Detroit area for a time. The city of Detroit is known by several nicknames, such as  Motor City, Motown, The Automotive Capital of the World, Hockeytown, the Arsenal of Democracy, and many more. Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler became automotive giants, bolstering Detroit's economy and growth largely due to Detroit's location on a significant waterway with access to steel suppliers and schools fostering research and development. The Motown music sound had its roots in soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz, blending to create a new genre of music. During war times, the automakers of Detroit switched gears, so to speak, and built military vehicles, such as tanks and airplanes, as well as bombs. These images show the city of Detroit with the Detroit river flowing in the foreground of the first image and historical architecture in the second and third images.   (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Windsor, ON
Crossing the Ambassador Bridge over the Detroit River, as seen in the first image, is one of two river crossings to Canada's gateway city of Windsor, Ontario. Picturesque river views, such as the one featured in the second image, are enjoyed while walking or biking along the Windsor Waterfront. The cityscape combines historic homes and modern buildings that reflect the economies of the times. Author Christopher Paul Curtis resides here with his wife and family. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Publisher Penguin Random House

Laurel-Leaf Books
Laurel-Leaf Books is an imprint of Random House Children's Books, which is a division of Penguin Random House. The Random House Towers building is 52 stories tall with the publishing companies offices taking up most of the first 26 floors. Visit http://wirednewyork.com/skyscrapers/random_house/ to view this amazing building.

Growing Up in Flint-Bud's Early Years

Historic Flint
In the 1920s and 1930s Flint, Michigan's economy was iterally driven by the automobile industry and was booming, even into the early depression era. As a result, workers at the various automotive plants were able to purchase homes such as the one seen in the first image; while it may seem small compared to modern standards, home ownership was a significant goal. The second image features an automotive service station where an attendant would pump gasoline into the vehicle, wash the car's windows, check the air in the tires, and other engine needs such as oil and water. The third image details the downtown area of Flint around 1920. The fourth and fifth images show the downtown Flint area in the mid 1930s. (Image Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2017790323/, https://www.loc.gov/resource/det.4a27847/, and RG 2018-82, General Photograph Collection, Town & City Scenes, Archives of Michigan.)

"The Home"/Children's Center
Orphanages and children's homes were a means to care for children who had either lost their parents or needed temporary care for various reasons. The Whaley Children's Center is a real-life residential home for homeless and neglected children in the Flint area that would have been both a point of reference and the author's inspiration for the orphaned Bud Caldwell. The Whaley Foundation began in 1924 as a tribute to the Whaley's son, who died at just ten years old; his parents found a jar of coins that young Donald had been saving to donate to children in an orphanage in nearby Detroit, Michigan. Together with caseworkers, volunteers, and mentors, the staff provides a safe and caring environment for children until a foster or adoptive family can be found, as the first image suggests. This center has expanded over the years and is still offering hope. The fictitious "Home" referred to in the story was over-crowded as orphanages and government-run children's homes tended to be during the Great Depression; some children were left at these facilities because the parents could not afford to meet the needs of food or shelter and no relatives could offer assistance. (Please note that the second picture shown reflects life in an orphanage during the Great Depression and not the Whaley Center.) The children in the second image are working on carpentry projects; the concept of teaching a skilled trade to these children could help them to financially support themselves later and would help offset costs at that time as well. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Flint Public Library (Former Location)
The Flint Public Library, one of 2509 libraries built with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie, a businessman and philanthropist, who understood the need for libraries. From 1902 to 1960 the Flint Carnegie Library stood on the corner of Kearsley and Clifford Streets, with a larger and updated library being built in 1958 at a nearby location. (Image Credit:

Flint River
Beginning as a spring-fed lake, the Flint River flows for 78.3 miles through three counties, offering recreational activities including fishing, kayaking, canoeing,  bird watching, and hiking along the shores. Unfortunately, the Flint River became toxic following industrialized use of the waterway, but new regulations and a massive restoration project are bringing the river to healthier state of being; learn more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO82Dk1LgQs. This historical image of the Flint River shows the undeveloped, peaceful banks as the river flowed in 1905. (Photo Credit: RG 2018-82, General Photograph Collection, Town & City Scenes, Archives of Michigan.)

YMCA of Greater Flint
The YMCA of Flint has a long tradition of fostering healthy living and social development. The facility's pool would have been a welcome activity for any child, especially those less priveledged. https://flintymca.com/ (Photo Credit: Y.M.C.A., Flint, Michigan [Card]. ([ca. 1900–1980]). Retrieved from https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/vm415w13z.)

Places the Bands Played-Past and Current

New York City, NY
New York City is often used as a standard or measure of a person's or group's performance. In the story, the band was coming from an SRO Engagement--SRO stands for Standing Room Only, meaning so many people want tickets or will pay admission rates that there will be no seats or that most or all need to stand to attend. When a band performed in another city, that tag line meant that the band was really, really good. This image shows the New York City skyline as it was in 1930. (Photo Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2018751216/.)

Flint, MI
As Flint, Michigan's population grew and attracted more and more visitors traveling for business and pleasure, grand hotels, such as the Tavern Hotel shown in this image, were constructed, offering lodging, dining, and entertainment venues. Visit https://www.geneseehistory.org/flint.html to view other images of Flint and surrounding areas. (Image Credit: https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/w3763x35v.)

Grand Rapids, MI
The city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, has long been a melting pot bringing cultures, foods, and arts together since the 1830s, combining migrating Americans, Native Americans, and immigrants. This diversity did not come without struggles, however; to learn more visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUHL0uxiPWg&t=12s. The first two images show two bands that performed in the Grand Rapids area in the 1930s. The third image shows an early 1900s street scene with the historic Paintlind Hotel in the background, where bands entertained, and grand parties were held.  (Image Credit: https://digital.grpl.org/Detail/objects/116735, https://digital.grpl.org/Detail/objects/127850-Grand Rapids History Center, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and https://www.loc.gov/item/2016815123/.)

Mecosta, MI
Mecosta, Michigan, part of the Big Rapids Region, markets their village as "Mother Nature's Playground" for any season. There are streams, rivers, and lakes for those who enjoy fishing, trails for hiking, golf courses, and more. During winter months, when the lakes are frozen and snow covers the ground, residents and visitors enjoy snowmobiling and snow shoeing. The lumber industry was central to the early economy. Visit www.mecostacounty.org to learn more about the area.

Chicago, IL
In the 1920s and 1930s Chicago, Illinois, buildings seemed to grow taller daily. Chicago also saw another rise - in jazz music's popularity, becoming the home city to many musicians and musical groups. As the city grew with people migrating to the area, a new Chicago began to emerge, dark and sinister at first as gangsters and crime ruled, but music and theater thrived, and federal funds helped the city to clean up and clear many of the substandard housing. The first image was taken in 1931, looking to the east from Clark Street. The second image features the lakefront as it looked in the mid 1930s. (Photo Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2014648266/ and https://www.loc.gov/item/2007660861/.)

Saginaw, MI
The city of Saginaw had its roots in the fur trade like many other Michigan cities; incorporated in 1857, the city consolidated with neighboring villages. The Saginaw River aided in the transportation of lumber, agricultural and manufactured goods, and mined resources such as salt and coal. The first image shows the Saginaw riverfront with drawbridges crossing the river allowing for tug and barge river traffic during the 1920s. Wildlife abounds in the area with the help of the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. The second image offers a glimpse of what birdwatchers see during winter. (Photo Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2016816912/ and pixabay.com.)

Cities on Rocks

Kentland, IL
Nestled between Morris, Ottawa, and Aurora, Kentland is a rural community in the southern part of Kendall Township in Illinois and on the southwestern side of Chicago. It is located at the crossroads of routes U.S. 52 and IL-47. This image shows one of the Kentland farmhouses. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Loogootee, IN
Loogootee, Indiana, was established in 1853 along a proposed railway line, and its post office opened four years later. This home, while located in a nearby community, belonged to someone who worked in Loogootee. This small town is located on one of Indiana's Historic Pathways, a travel corridor used by pioneers, stagecoaches, and railways.  (Photo Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2017723485/)

Sturgis, MI
Situated on the former Old Chicago Road,  now Route 12, Sturgis, Michigan, is one of many towns and cities that sprang up along the route. Sturgis was also home to a rail depot that served various passenger rail lines over the years as well as freight. These images show the downtown and other areas; the first and second images are from postcards of the town during the 1930s. The third image shows how that same downtown looked decades earlier. The city was nicknamed the "Electric City" as a hydroelectric dam on a nearby river enabled the municipal utility company to provide street lights in the business area and later the residential areas. Learn more about this community's early years at http://migenweb.org/stjoseph/history/sturgis.htm. (Photo Credit: Picryl.com and RG 2018-82, General Photograph Collection, Town & City Scenes, Archives of Michigan.)

Gary, IN
Gary, Indiana, was founded as the home to a new steel manufacturing site for U. S. Steel in 1906. The workers would need to live close by the Gary Works steel mill; the city earned the nickname "Magic City" due to modern architecture, a robust economy, and entertainment venues and performers. During the first half of the 1900s Gary Works attracted would-be employees from around the globe. With the downturn of the steel industry, layoffs and business closures in the 1970s followed. The first image shows the historic center of Gary, with the steel mill producing at a fraction of its former level. The second image features the Gary Land Company building, one of the first structures built in Gary. It served as the first town hall, a post office, and a school, among other functions, and now houses the Gary Historical and Cultural Society.  Visit https://ghcsinc.weebly.com/gallery.html to see additional vintage images. The third image shows a modern aerial view of the city with Lake Michigan in the background. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Flint, MI
The Flint Tavern Hotel, seen in the first image, and Flint City Club, located in the Durant Hotel, were two entertainment venues constructed in the 1930s. Bands would have performed where patrons could enjoy food, beverages, and the occasional dance. Outside of the bustling downtown area, tree-lined streets led to neighborhoods, as the second and third images show. (Photo Credit: The Flint Tavern Hotel, Flint, Michigan [Card]. ([ca. 1930–1945]). Retrieved from https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/w3763x35v and RG 2018-82, General Photograph Collection, Town & City Scenes, Archives of Michigan.)

Idlewild, MI
The Idlewild, Michigan resort community of 1912 was one of just three American resorts that provided a safe vacation spot for Black Americans, known by many as "Black Eden." These images show patrons of the Paradise Club and the White House Tea Room. Visit http://www.historicidlewild.org/ to learn more. (Photo Credit: RG 2018-82, General Photograph Collection, Town & City Scenes, Archives of Michigan.)

Preston, IN
Now a nestled part of Terre Haute, Indiana, Preston is an unincorporated community.

Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, with its towering skyscrapers, was and is a sight to behold. During the 1930s the speakeasies, often controlled by the mafia, were escapes from the Great Depression to enjoy food, music, and illegal beverages. Jazz and the blues had migrated north to Chicago and began a new musical genre - Chicago blues.  (Photo Credit: Chicago from the Air, Chicago, Illinois [Card.] ([ca. 1930]). Retrieved from

Bud's Proposed Journey from Flint to Grand Rapids

The Proposed Journey from Flint to Grand Rapids
With the librarian's assistance and a distance matrix table, Bud Caldwell calculated that the distance he would travel from Flint to Grand Rapids, Michigan, would be 120 miles. He also noted the cities that he would encounter along the way. Interstate highways had not been constructed yet, and state routes such as Michigan 21, or M-21, were roads used; while some of these roads had two travel lanes in each direction, most only had one in each direction. In addition, street lights were only in cities and dark stretches of road would be dangerous. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Flint Carnegie Library
Like so many others, Flint's first library, funded by the Ladies Library Association in 1851, was a private library where citizens paid dues to enjoy books there. Andrew Carnegie believed all people deserved access to libraries and used his resources to gift communities with libraries, often bearing his name, such as the Flint Carnegie Library. This library served the community from 1902 to 1958, when it was replaced with a new structure nearby. The large, open stairway leading to the front entrance and lampposts were symbolic of elevating one's position in life through learning and enlightenment, respectively. In the story, Bud is allowed to read, research, and plan his journey from Flint to Grand Rapids. (Photo Credit: RG 2018-82, General Photograph Collection, Town & City Scenes, Archives of Michigan.)

Owosso, MI
Owosso, Michigan, is a picturesque township and city, complete with a castle, tree-lined streets, and the Steam Railroading Institute. These images show Owosso's Carnegie Library built in 1913, and its nostalgic downtown area. This community would have been a long day's walk from Flint, Michigan, for a child, especially in the dark. (Photo Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2020722716/ and https://www.loc.gov/item/2020722719/.)

Ovid, MI
Ovid, Michigan, is just ten miles west of Owosso, Michigan, roughly a three=hour walk for an adult. The area was settled in the 1830's and named for one of its settlers' home-town; the city was recently incorporated in 2015. This area was known primarily for its carriage manufacturing. The first image features an autumn view of Lake Ovid at Sleepy Hollow State Park. The second and third images show the old Congregational Church, constructed in 1872, home to the Vineyard Creative Arts Theatre. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com and https://www.loc.gov/item/mi0037/ {2 images}.)

Saint Johns, MI
Saint Johns, Michigan, is celebrated for its prime growing soil; it raises peppermint and spearmint. The community has a hometown feel where much of the area is farmland. These images show recently harvested peppermint plants. (Image Credit: unsplash.com.)

Ionia, MI
Ionia, Michigan, is an iconic town with a lake in the rolling hills, meadows, and forests, making it an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts. This modest town has a lovely historic business district with structures dating back to the late 1800s. This image features St. John's Episcopal Church, built in 1882. (Image Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2020714623/,)

Lowell, MI
Lowell, Michigan, is part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. The city was founded in 1831 on the southern side of the Grand River as a trading post and Odawa village and later expanded to include the northern banks' area and the mouth of the Flat River; the whole area was named Lowell in 1854. This image shows the Flat River at Fallasburg Park in northern Lowell in January; the park includes a covered bridge, one of two in the area. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan's second largest populated city, Grand Rapids, was first home to the Native Americans who traded along the Grand River. In 1826 the first permanent settler of European descent established a trading post, and then in 1831, he purchased a large plot from the federal government that would eventually become the city's downtown area. These images show the business district in the heart of the city in the 1920s and 1930s. During that time, small department stores were known as "Five and Dimes" as they sold relatively inexpensive items priced at five and ten cents, as seen in the first image; today, these would be similar to dollar stores. The best known of these might be the Woolworth chain of stores; the second image shows the staff standing in front of the department store. The city grew rapidly, as the third image shows, as Grand Rapids was nicknamed the "Furniture City" for the fine quality furniture manufactured there. (Photo Credit: https://digital.grpl.org/Detail/objects/10658, https://digital.grpl.org/Detail/objects/10755, and https://digital.grpl.org/Detail/objects/10674-  Grand Rapids History Center, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids, Michigan.)

Hooperville/Hooverville People and Places

Potential Hoopervile/Hooverville Location
Hoovervilles had seemed to spring up in most cities during the Great Depression; the economic crisis of the time left many homeless, and they constructed shelters of whatever materials that could be found. The first image shows the shanty town of the Lower Manhattan area. At these camps, the collection of families and individuals pooled resources and cooked the little food they had in whatever scrap materials they could, such as the tin cup in the second image. In some cases, as is in the story, the encampment would be near the rail station or railyard where trains would slow or stop; the third image features a steam engine in its approach to a station. When someone could climb aboard an empty box car, such as that in the fourth image, they would pass time with cards or singing. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

"Oh Shenandoah"
"Oh Shenandoah" has been sung and played for 200 years or more. The lyrics of this traditional folk song likely started with fur traders along the Missouri River, but other lyrics suggest a request to marry the daughter of Oneida Chief Shenandoah. Still others offer the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia as the inspiration as pioneers traveled west toward the lands of the Missouri River. Listen to the rolling harmonica sounds as Paul Hall plays at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b2x4K8U4pcU. Harmonicas, or "mouth organs," were carried by sailors, and soldiers; and other travelers to bring along music and memories; the tiny instrument's size and durability helped give rise to its popularity. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com)

Chicago, IL
The ethnically and culturally diverse metropolis of Chicago reflects two of the meanings of its name, "great" and "strong." These images show the city in 1930, the rebuilt and robust city has recovered from the "Great Fire of 1871" to become the host city of the 1893 World's Columbian Expostionsion. Chicago became a rail hub tying river, lake, and rail commerce, helping it become the second largest city in America until 1982. Those riding the rails envisioned traveling through Chicago to points south or west. The first image shows the city's architectural greats, such as Wrigley Tower in the foreground, the Chicago Temple, and the Merchandise Mart, with Grant Park and Michigan Avenue along the sides. The second image offers a slightly different vantage during the day, including the Tribune Tower and the Wabash Avenue Bridge. (Photo Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2014648268/ and https://www.loc.gov/item/2014648266/.)

Detroit, MI
Detroit, Michigan, sits across the Detroit River from Windsor, Ontario, as this image shows the Detroit skyline of 1929 in the background. As the automobile industry grew, so did the city's population as African Americans seeking a better way of life away from the South, and immigrants sought similar opportunities. As a result, Detroit is often called the "Automotive Capital of the World" largely due to the efforts of Henry Ford's introduction of an assembly line production format that spread to other forms of manufacturing. (Photo Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/90715535/.)

Orlando, FL
Orlando, Florida, has long been a happening city, well before theme parks; it is the county seat of Orange County. The first image features an orange grove in the Orlando area; citrus crops became a leading agribusiness in the late 1800s as trains could carry fruits faster, keeping them fresher for longer periods. The second image shows the Hotel San Juan on Orange Avenue; the city was already attracting visitors in the early 1900s. Orlando's location offered a warm reprieve during the cold winter months. (Photo Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2016809289/ and https://www.loc.gov/item/2016803936/.)

Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma's state capital is aptly named Oklahoma City. Its location is treated to long hot summers, generally with moderate rains during the summer months, whereas winters are cool and short-lived. The area was settled by thousands of homesteaders who staked claims to lands once Indian Territory. As a transportation hub for agricultural goods and livestock processing, the area's population grew; later, oil became an important commodity as well. During the 1930s a devasting drought and soil erosion created an ecological and economical disaster; the area became a "Dust Bowl" where many residents could not farm or find other work. Storms known as "Black Blizzards" carried topsoil and covered everything in their path. The first image shows farmers in a nearby town hoping the Farm Security Administration could offer solutions for the rains that did not return until 1939. The second image shows children playing in an ally in Oklahoma City. (Photo Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2017763094/ and https://www.loc.gov/item/2018678491/.)

Missouri
Much of Missouri was rural farmland in the 1030s, and the folks here faced the same challenges as others living in the Midwest with drought conditions as the first image features a multigeneration household. Farm families often were could not raise crops beyond that needed to feed themselves. Without crops to sell, many farmers lost not only farmland but a part of their identity. As homes were lost or abandoned, often a shanty would be constructed for shelter out of any available items, such as that viewed in the second image. Many families moved to areas where they hoped to be able to farm again since that is what they knew, as can be seen in the third image.  (Photo Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2017781177/, https://www.loc.gov/item/2017781322/, and https://www.loc.gov/item/2017736412/.)

Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the one-day temporary capital of the United States during the Revolutionary War on September 27, 1777, is one of America's oldest inland towns, settled in 1709 by German immigrants and later chartered as a city in 1818. The Conestoga wagons were built in Lancaster, serving pioneers for fifteen decades; these horse-drawn wagons gave rise to the first turnpike in the late 1700s, boosting the town's economy. Learn more about the town's history at http://visithistoriclancaster.com. The community was home to an iron foundry supplying weapons and ammunition as America gained independence from England. Some residents raised silkworms for silk mills through the early 20th century. A diversified economy was helpful for the city during the Great Depression, but unemployment rates were still staggering, and many citizens sought opportunities elsewhere. The first two images feature a country school in Lancaster where children came from farms, pictured in the third image. The city itself is seen in the fourth image from the later 1930s. (Photo Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2017790674/, https://www.loc.gov/item/2017790624/, https://www.loc.gov/resource/fsa.8c02221/,  and https://www.loc.gov/resource/fsa.8b16219/.)

California
California was the ultimate destination of many individuals living in this Hooverville and hoping to catch a train there to work as a sharecropper or farm hand on one of the many corporately owned farms in the southern California San Joaquin Valley. These images show the temporary homes of those who could reach California and find work on these farms. Often the homes were tent structures or cardboard, but it was a home, and working in the fields allowed for families to be fed. (Photo Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2017759682/, https://www.loc.gov/item/2017763323/, and https://www.loc.gov/item/2017763122/.)

Bud's Journey

The "Home"
The "Home," as it was referenced in the story, could have been a nonprofit operated facility such as the Child Welfare Society's Cedar Street Center shown in the first image or a state or federally operated facility. The story refers to a caseworker who tells Bud of a temporary home for the summer, so this could easily be a government-run facility. In the story, children of various ages live together in a dormatory setting. The second image features a buffalo nickel, like the one Bud probably won from Billy Burns; that nickel would have the buying power of one dollar in today's market due to inflation over the years. (Photo Credit: Image from the Collections of Kettering University and Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Flint Carnegie Library
This gifted resource to the Flint community opened a world of opportunity to those individuals with limited opportunities to learn and thrive. It would have been here that young minds could set a course for discovery, as in the story. (Image Credit: RG 2018-82, General Photograph Collection, Town & City Scenes, Archives of Michigan.)

The Mission/Soup Kitchen, possibly a St Paul's Episcopal Church Outreach.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church has been involved in helping the community for 150 years, providing for the needs of individuals. This church is believed to have operated a mission/soup kitchen for needy families during the Great Depression, as did many others in larger cities across the nation. Learn more about this church and its history at https://stpaulschurchflint.com/. The first two images show missions feeding those who came humbly and hungry; the need was great, and those hopeful of easing their hunger would line up early to be served before the supplies were exhausted. The third image features the Breadline statue, housed in the FDR Memorial. (Image Credit:  https://www.loc.gov/item/2017810023/, and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Thread Creek
Thread Creek winds through the greater Flint area connecting smaller streams to Thread Lake and Swartz Creek, and eventually empties into the Flint River. This flowing water was essential to the Native Americans living in the area and to the pioneers who settled in these lands. The lake and creek are close to railroad tracks still in use.

Encounter with Lefty Lewis
The walk along Michigan 21, especially at night, would be risky as the roads were not as wide then, and animals would readily wander across the highway. The first image shows how the road may have looked at that time, with the sun casting shadows through the trees. The second image shows the Shiawassee River that the highway crosses. This would have been most likely the area of Bud's encounter with Lefty Lewis, who was on his way to Flint. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Hooperville/Hooverville
In the story, the sounds of a harmonica or "mouth organ," as seen in the first image, were wafting through the evening air along with the smell of something cooking. The second image shows a washtub containing a campfire for cooking; the washtub could keep the coals or embers hotter for longer periods. The other three images show various people dangerously and illegally catching a ride on freight trains. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com and https://www.loc.gov/item/89712980/.)

Grand Rapids
Herman Calloway drove a Packard in the story, similar to the one in the first image. In the 1930s Grand Rapids struggled like other cities around the United States and even globally from the Great Depression. The second image features a drug store with a doctor's office upstairs; the luxuries of first-floor offices were not affordable in most cases. The third image offers another view of city life with the trolley coming down the center of the street. The windows and vintage architecture remain today from days past in Grand Rapids. The final image shows one of many bridges allowing for rail traffic to cross the Grand River; many of these bridges are in still use, and some former railroad track areas have been converted to trails. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com, pixabay.com,  Grand Rapids History Center, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and https://www.loc.gov/item/2016815122/.)

The Real Log Cabin
In the story, the "Log Cabin" was an entertainment venue where Herman Calloway's band performed and practiced. The character inspiration for Herman Calloway was one of author Christopher Paul Curtis' grandfathers-Herman Curtis; visit  to see a photo of his band.

Butterworth Hospital
Butterworth Hospital, seen here, first opened for aging patients in 1873 by a group of ladies in conjunction with their church. Later in 1890, a new facility was built with 100 beds, a large number for that time, and became a teaching school for nurses. The facility shown was constructed in 1924 with the latest medical resources of the time. Visit http://history.spectrumhealth.org/ to view a comprehensive timeline of the hospital. (Photo Credit: https://digital.grpl.org/Detail/objects/10764- Grand Rapids History Center, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids, Michigan.)

Sweet Pea Potential Location
In the story, the Sweet Pea was a dining opportunity that operated out of someone's home. This option of eating a meal in a restaurant or even renting or owning a restaurant was severely limited for persons of color in many areas across the United States; to that end, some individuals opened eateries in their homes. The first image features a sign advertising an eatery in Grand Rapids at that time. The blue house seen in the second image is typical of homes in that time.  (Image Credit: Grand Rapids History Center, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Grand Central Station
Grand Central Station, formerly the  Grand Central Terminal, in New York City is a transportation hub where over 250,000 individuals use buses, subways, and Metro-North trains to commute daily. This historic train station was built in 1913 and continues to serve patrons to this day. (Photo Credit: unspslash.com)

Music Store
Quality musical instruments for stage musicians would have been purchased at stores such as Friedrich Music in Grand Rapids; visit https://bit.ly/3xoPoS1 and https://bit.ly/3qCm32n to see photos of the store. In the story, the saxophone, like the one pictured here, was purchased at a pawn shop. During the Great Depression, many professional or semi-professional musicians sold their instruments to pawn shops just to make ends meet. (Photo Credit: pixabay.com.)

Lefty Lewis's Places

Hurley Medical Center
The Hurley Medical Center is more than a hospital. The center was founded in 1908 with a mission to provide a modern hospital for the Flint community with eight nurses, 40 beds, and six bassinets for newborn babies. Today this public teaching hospital offers care for all, much of it uncompensated for individuals with little to no insurance, with 457 patient beds and care centers, employing over 2,500 people. (Photo Credit: Retrieved from Hurley Hospital, Flint, Michigan [Card] ([ca. 1930-1930]) Retrieved from https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/24383.)

Sleet Home
In the story, the location of the Sleet home is suggested to be in the Flint area. Bud is excited when he is gifted with a pair of long pants to replace his knickers, such as the one pictured in the first image. Knickers were convenient as boys did not grow out of them as quickly as typical pants, and hems were not a problem. The second image shows a Pullman Porter standing at the ready to assist passengers, as that was Mr. Sleet's profession; the third image offers a glimpse inside a Pullman Car. Telegrams were still a means of sending information in much of the 1900s, and for many years the telegram would be delivered by bicycle or car, depending on the area and distance; the fourth image features three young ladies heading out for deliveries.  (Photo Credit:  https://digital.grpl.org/Detail/objects/127808, https://digital.grpl.org/Detail/objects/121745-Grand Rapids History Center, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and https://www.loc.gov/resource/det.4a24382/.)

Grand Rapids Union Station (Former Location)
The Grand Rapids Union Station served rail passengers from 1900, when it was constructed, until its closing in 1958, making space for a new highway, US 131. https://bit.ly/3UfMJns shows postcards of the train station. Nearly 2000 passengers came to Grand Rapids each week from Indiana and southern Michigan during the early decades of rail service. Four rail lines served four rail lines. The first image shows a railyard of Pullman coaches in another area, but these train cars were known for their comfort at that time. The second and third images feature Redcap Porters at train stations in New York City and Chicago, respectively. Learn more about Redcap Porters at The fourth image shows the train shed there at Grand Rapids Union Station as it was in the early 1900s. (Photo Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2019675753/,  https://www.loc.gov/resource/cph.3c30962/, and https://www.loc.gov/item/2016815134/.)

Fort Gordon
Fort Gordon, formerly Camp Gordon until 1956, is home to the United States Army's Cyber Command. This base served as a war training facility during World Wars I and II. It has also served as a training center for military police and Airborne infantry. It has been recommended that the facility's name be changed to Fort Eisenhower in the future. (Photo Credit: Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Georgia [Card]. ([ca. 1918]). Retrieved from and Fort Gordon, Atlanta, Georgia [Card]. ([ca. 2002]). Retrieved from https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6597593.)

Tuskegee, AL
What first began as the Tuskegee Normal School for Colored Teachers grew under the leadership of Booker T. Washington, pictured in the first image, into Tuskegee University. George Washington Carver, seen in the second image, joined the faculty and brought innovative research and methods to southern agriculture. As featured in the third image,  two influential crops were sweet potatoes and peanuts, as many commercial products could be developed from them. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Other Places

Warsaw, Poland
The capital city of Warsaw, Poland, has seen great destruction and rebuilt itself several times over the centuries from war's ashes, with many historical places restored precisely. As a result, the city is truly the center of the Polish nation in all facets-cultural, educational, social, political, and economic. The first image features the Old City of Warsaw, a UNESCO World Heritage site; great care and pride were taken in returning the glory of the architecture and even the streets. The second image shows the Palace of Culture and Science, built in the early 1950s, a gift from the Soviet people was a long-time reminder of socialism and power. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Berlin, Germany
Germany's capital city of Berlin was rebuilt following massive destruction during World War II, and the wall that had once divided the city was torn down following the fall of communist East Germany and the nation's reunification. The Gendarmenmarkt Square, seen in the first image, shows architectural influences over the centuries with French and German Cathedrals and a concert hall, the Konzerthaus. The second image shows the Berlin Cathedral that serves in both religious and official government capacities; the Spree River, in the foreground, splits around Museum Island. Finally, the Reichstag can be seen in the third image; it is the home of the German parliament and an impressive collection of art.  (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Niagara Falls, NY
The Niagara Falls on the United States-Canada border is truly three sets of waterfalls--the largest are the Horseshoe Falls on the border, the American Falls on the left, and the Bridal Veil Falls in the center of the first image. These three waterfalls have the largest flow rate of all waterfalls worldwide. The first image was taken from the Canadian shore. The second image features the American Falls. There are two cities named Niagara Falls; one is in New York state and the other in Ontario. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com and TLBrocken.)