Becoming Petoskey: Discovering the History of One Man Through Time, by Ellen and Bill Kozar

Description

Becoming Petoskey: Discovering the History of One Man Through Time is a non-fiction narrative is a story of history, mystery, and adventure beginning in August 1873 in northern Michigan when the first rails were laid bringing train travel to an area that would later be known as Petoskey. The story is based on two lengthy letters written by an unnamed voyager who witnesses and worked laying the rails. He told his mother in an observant style, about the places he saw and the people he met along with his reflection as an impressionable young man making his way through his experiences. These letters were discovered a hundred years later and over 200 miles from Petoskey by another young man who found them tucked between the pages of a book he bought in an obscure Lansing second hand store. The discovery of these letters would start a quest for answers and pose more questions that would occupy 40 years of his life.

Bill and Ellen Kozar, both native Michiganders, first met as undergraduates at Michigan State University. A few years after graduation they moved to Arizona, married, started a family and began their personal careers. Ellen, a teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, developed and taught in this field, first in Michigan and then in Arizona. Later in her career she worked as an ASL interpreter followed by working with Blind students’ becoming certified in Braille. She enjoys creating art, mainly working in stained glass. Bill became a designer/builder. He ran successful businesses in both Arizona and Michigan. His passion is architectural design, art, building and uncovering history. He continues to be a lifelong student in these passions. They now live in Kalamazoo and they continue to enjoy frequent getaways to their cabin in northern Michigan.

Paperback. 181 Pages

Published: June 2026

ISBN: 978-1-971333-04-5

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