by Richard Lamb–Advance Editor
The title of Charlie Bunton’s latest book sells the contents short. Rogers City, A History of the Nautical City Volume Two, is so much more than a local history book. The comprehensive work covers all the events one would expect of such a book, but the way he ties in world events to local people makes it an even more compelling read.
He trusted this writer with a proof version of the book and I came away learning something on every page. As I told him while reading it, I felt that I should have already known all of the stories in his new book, since I have been editor of the local newspaper for more than 27 years. But the freshness of his presentation makes even someone familiar with local history appreciate his research.
In Volume 2, he covers events from the early 1900s through the time of the sinking of the Carl D. Bradley. Chapter 20, the final one in Volume 2, on the Bradley also covers the efforts to visit the sunken freighter in the 1990s. But before getting to chapter 20, the reader will travel through time to learn about many interesting facts about the Rogers City area and its people.
Bunton is a 1997 graduate of Rogers City High School who later graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in history. He is the son of John and Sharon Bunton. He and his wife Destiny are parents of three children. He lives in Oxford, nearby a major retail store he manages.
He says he always loved history and was inspired by his English teacher in high school, the late beloved teacher Jim Hopp.
“Back in 2002 when I started the project, I found that the only thing written on the area at the time were small projects, mainly on the sinkings of the Bradley and the Cedarville. In speaking with my friend and mentor Jim Hopp, he encouraged me to write a more thorough history of Rogers City,” Bunton said.
Years of research have led Charlie Bunton to author a history of Rogers City. Volume Two of the three-part series will be available for sale later this month.
