Wilmont Kreis

Book Eight: Sugar. Well before the start of World War One, people like Simon Shands and Harry Auerbach foresaw prohibition. They also realized the importance of sugar in the simple production of cheap booze. Early on they became involved in what was known as the Oakland Sugar House. Although it may have begun as a legitimate enterprise, the involvement of these men and others soon made it otherwise. Its fame became such that the infamous Purple Gang was also known as the Sugar House Gang. I could not find an image of the Sugar House but here is a shot of some investors. Read More 

Book Eight: WWI. There can be no discussion of this era without including this low point in western civilization. A conflict that began over minor issues—with horses, rifles, and trenches ending with airplanes, modern weapons and a struggle that just would not end. The United States avoided most of this debacle by sitting on the sidelines until the bitter end. Bud Forton is a typical farm boy drafted into a conflict which he will never understand. Leaving the farm for Paris, he encounters things he would never find at home, sophisticated women and a level of violence and evil he would never have experienced on the farm. Read More 

Book Eight: Automobiles. It would be inconceivable to write history of Detroit without mentioning this icon. From Ransom Olds in 1898 to post WWII, it permeates the city. Henry Ford’s interaction with the Allards is relatively accurate and he did purchase the lakefront of Moses Allard’s family farm where the Edsel Ford Estate stands today on the banks of Lake St. Clair and the Milk River. Today it is a museum well worth a visit. Read More 

Book Eight: Walpole Island. Located across the channel from Harsens Island, this First Nation Reserve is located within the geographic boundaries of Canada. However it remains independent of Canada and the U.S. It remains a haven for fishing and duck hunting both of which have found their way into a number of the Allard Series Books. It is claimed the famous Shawnee Chief, Tecumseh, is buried here. He is also buried in Book Five: The Medallion of the Allard Series. You can visit his resting place on the island or in the book. Read More 

I hope you enjoy 1634, Return to the New World, but I need to get back to The Allards Book Eight: The Chief
Harsens Island: This jewel of a swamp has found its way into The Allard Series since Book Four: The Voyageur. Located where the St. Clair River enters Lake St. Clair, it is still reachable only by water. First owned by Dutch immigrant, Jacob Harsen in 1783, it continues to be a haven for fishing, boating, and duck hunting, and the Allard family along with many other Detroit residents have enjoyed it even before Jacob. Following WWII my mother’s cousin, Earl Brown started Brown’s Tavern which endures today and is worth a visit. Another famous Island eatery was The Blue Goose which was moved from the island to St. Clair Shoes by towing it on the ice. The Blue Goose and many of its namesakes have found their way into the Allard Series and it is also recommended by the author. Read More