News & Fun in Michigan
The times of greatest shipbuilding in the Great Lakes region was during the lumbering era. From 1839 until the early 1890s, the virgin old-growth Michigan forests were cut down to produce lumber for growing towns and cities in the lower Great Lakes. Michigan was the nation’s leading lumber producer from 1869 until about 1900. The only way to transport finished milled lumber from the shore side mills in the Great Lakes was by ship.
A ship runs aground in Saginaw Bay only a few miles from its destination in Caseville. Leaving us a tale on the rails.
Historically, Saginaw Bay supported Lake Huron’s largest commercial walleye fishery and was second in the Great Lakes to only Lake Erie.
The earliest commercial fisheries dated to the 1830s, and walleye were specifically noted in catch records as early as 1858.
An amazing article from 1878 describing a Fishtown on the ice near Sebewaing on Saginaw Bay.
We have dropped in to the Eagle Bay kayak launch many times while travelling to Grindstone City to have lunch at Shelly’s. Its a peaceful little beach with a small parking area. Most of the time its empty, which is strange …
Rose Island, a popular Michigan resort since the early 20th century, thrived with amenities like boating, dancing, and picnics. Owned initially by the Durkees and later the Peters Brothers, it became a vibrant community hub before declining.
The 1800s pamphlet promotes Bay Port resort, highlighting transportation via Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad, luxurious accommodations, fresh water sources, and recreational activities. It showcases Bay Port’s appeal as an accessible summer destination with scenic views and high standards of service.
Michigan Indian Place Names are important historical records of the Saginaw Valley and Upper Thumb, we have found this brief sketch about the original names from the Anishinaabeg to several places and rivers and discovered their meaning.
