Grindstone City’s Mr. Grindstone and Tourist Information Center
Grindstone City made a humorous attempt to get tourists driving by to stop and take a look and maybe take a selfie with Mr. Grindstone.
Finding Fun in Michigan & Beyond
Grindstone City made a humorous attempt to get tourists driving by to stop and take a look and maybe take a selfie with Mr. Grindstone.
The Wallace Roller Mill was built in 1887 on the shore of Lake Huron. The mill was the first in the area to diversify from grindstone quarry and milling operations.
The stone structure stands today providing four vacation condos.
The accidental find of the Marshal Sandstone formation in Michigan’s Upper Thumb in 1834 gave rise to one of the areas first industries. Grindstone City became famous for its production of huge grinding wheels until a disruptive technology change slid the industry into obsolescence.
Mysterious holes are found by kids on the north side of Rush Lake State Game Area. Years later they are determined to be from the 1800s quarry operations.
On the shores of Lake Huron near the tip of Michigan’s Thumb is a well appointed cottage community that used to be a thriving company lumber town. New River Michigan as been almost erased by time and nature.
The name Pointe Aux Barques was coined by French sailors and voyageurs in about 1760. The name literally means the point of boats, This is because the rock formations at the tip of the Thumb looked like the prow of a ship. It was also known as a hideout for sailors.
The year is 1912. An exclusive modern resort community is opened at the tip of Michigan’s thumb with direct train service from Detroit. For over 100 years it has been a resort community.
In the mid to late 1800s steamships traveling on the Great Lakes were the only way to get to most cities.
Cruising via paddlewheel steamer gave rise to our northern Michigan tourism industry and the start of the term “Going Up North” Prior to the railroads and automobiles.
An M-25 Road Trip is taken around Michigan’s Thumb months prior to World War II. The tourism industry is still recovering from the Great Depression and paving M25 was just completed making it Michigan’s 1st Scenic Highway.
This folksy article was from the Huron Times in 1940.