Caseville Postcard

The Evolving History of Caseville in Pictures and Postcards

Pictures and Postcards do a great job of capturing a moment in time. We found these gems throughout the Internet and made the collection from the 1800s thru the 1960s. They are a fascinating glimpse of the history of Caseville in pictures. It’s also amazing what has not really changed over the past 80 years. Many buildings and landmarks are still visible today.

Caseville’s history in pictures shows its transformation from lumbering to an industrial village and finally to a resort and tourist town. While the railroad was completed in 1881 delivering freight and passengers it never had the tourist appeal that Bay Port had with its fine hotel and Pointe Aux Barques with its resort cottages. The Upper Thumb tourism industry got its start with the completion of M-25 around the Thumb in the 1930s. M-25 was Michigan’s first scenic highway. The rise of tourism in the area was encouraged by most of the shoreline towns of the Thumb.

The Events of Caseville Today

Today, Caseville is known for its large beachfront, excellent harbor, and festivals. The Ribstock festival kicks off the summer with BBQ and great country music, Cheeseburger in Caseville pays tribute to Jimmy Buffet music, grilled burgers, and a chance to be a Parrothead for a week and Shanty Days offers a mid-winter blast of fun on the ice.

Caseville train depot c1900 - History of Caseville
Rare photo of Caseville Depot c1900

Michael Hardy

Michael Hardy is the owner of Thumbwind Publications LLC. Michael was born in Michigan and grew up near Caseville. In 2009 he started this fun-loving site covering Michigan's Upper Thumb. Since then, he has authored a vast range of content and established a loyal base of 60,000 visitors per month.

View all posts by Michael Hardy →

10 thoughts on “The Evolving History of Caseville in Pictures and Postcards

  1. Your local information on activities and history is fantastic and greatly appreciated by all.
    Thanks
    Lou Colletta

  2. My great, great grandfather was one of the original settlers of Caseville. His name was Gottlieb Glosser Sr. He was a businessman and father who is buried there in 1902. His son named the same owned bars there but eventually migrated to Detroit where he ran his last bar and he passed in 1916. I search as much as I can to find pictures or evidence of anything. I came across your page and thought maybe you may have a suggestion for me.
    Thank you,
    Kristin Marshall

  3. Have you anything on the American House it was a hotel? I have done a few of ancestry, and family search. That one is free. Glosser married Schroeder and they owned a mill. No French, a little pig Latin maybe 🤔

  4. There was a drive-in restaurant called LaBelle’s in the 50’s and 60’s that my father owned. I worked there growing up. Do you have any pictures or information about it?

    1. If you go to the Historical Society of Caseville Facebook page there is a photo of LaBelle’s Drive-In (1959).

  5. This is fascinating! My grandparents had a place up there in the late 70’s and early 80’s. We were sad to see it go when they passed away. I love Caseville and it holds wonderful memories for me!!

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