ST. CLAIR SHORES — Before the days of home refrigerators, Americans placed ice in ice boxes to help preserve their food. Lake St. Clair supplied the ice for most local residents.

ROSEVILLE — At Christmastime during World War II, families scaled back on meal options, decorations and gifts because of the rations on food and other merchandise.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — In 1928, when St. Clair Shores was still the Village of St. Clair Shores, its population was just under 7,000, and the village maintained 35 miles of paved roads.

ROCHESTER — In 1903, George Axford opened his store in a prime location at 401 Main St. in downtown Rochester.

ROSEVILLE — John Saylor was a junior high school student living in Roseville when Macomb Mall first opened in 1964 at Gratiot Avenue and Masonic Boulevard.

WEST BLOOMFIELD — Around 50 years ago, a conversation that took place at a picnic on the campus of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s led to what has become a staple for history buffs in the area.

TROY — An organization founded in 1890 met in Troy recently for its 124th anniversary.

ROYAL OAK/CLAWSON — School is in session for Royal Oak and Clawson students, and there have been two celebrations marking the centennial year of Oakland Elementary School in Royal Oak and the Clawson Public Schools district.

ROYAL OAK — In the mid-1800s, Royal Oak became home to African American freedom seekers Henry Hamer and Elizabeth Hamer.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — The building occupied by the Belgian American Social Club on Koerber Street was named Jerry’s on the Lake in the late 1940s.

ROSEVILLE — Roseville Community Schools is turning 100 years old this year, and educators have a series of events scheduled during the 2024-2025 school year to commemorate the milestone.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — In 1980, the young women from Lakeview High School in St. Clair Shores took home the USCA Grand National Title for Cheerleading.

CLAWSON — The Fourth of July in Clawson holds a special place in local history. Beginning in 1933, the event has yet to miss a year of celebration besides one year during wartime.

EASTPOINTE — One hundred years ago, in 1924, a group of local men with a desire to help others got together to form Odd Fellows Eastwood Lodge No. 496.

SOUTHFIELD — The archives will open at the Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Road, for Southfield History Day 1-3 p.m. July 13, with a tour of the Southfield History Room.

FRASER — The former State Bank of Fraser building has been at the center of the debate about whether Sheetz, a gas station and convenience store chain, should come downtown.

ROYAL OAK — Judson Center celebrated 100 years as a nonprofit organization in May through an interactive art exhibit.

EASTPOINTE — During the Cold War, which lasted from 1947 through 1989, many U.S. families prepared for a Russian nuclear attack by establishing fallout shelters.

ROYAL OAK — Oakland Elementary School opened on April 19, 1924, and celebrated its 100-year anniversary by having a tree-planting event April 19, 2024, to commemorate the historical importance of the site and highlight “the community’s educational heritage,” according to a press release.

FRASER — The Fraser Historical Commission is looking to preserve its photos and make them more widely available to the public by digitizing them.