The Forgotten Town of Port Crescent, Michigan
Michigan’s Thumb region is home to many fascinating stories, but few are as intriguing as the rise and fall of Port Crescent. Once a thriving lumber town on the shores of Lake Huron, little remains of this community except for a single brick chimney, a silent witness to a bygone era. Today, its land is part of Port Crescent State Park, where visitors can explore its scenic beauty and imagine what once stood there.
The Rise of Port Crescent
In the mid-1800s, Port Crescent was a bustling industrial town at the mouth of the Pinnebog River. The town flourished due to its lumber mills, brickyard, shipyard, and barrel stave factory, all powered by the region’s abundant white pine forests. The Pinnebog River served as a natural transportation route, allowing logs to be floated downstream to the sawmills before being shipped across the Great Lakes.
With a railroad connection, Port Crescent became an important shipping hub, supplying timber and manufactured goods to growing cities. At its peak, the town had hotels, general stores, a schoolhouse, and even a post office, making it a key player in Michigan’s lumber boom.
Disaster Strikes: Fire and Decline
Port Crescent’s prosperity was short-lived. The devastating Port Huron Fire of 1871, part of the same weather system that fueled the Great Chicago Fire, burned large sections of Michigan’s Thumb. The town recovered, but another catastrophe followed in 1881—the Thumb Fire, which swept across the region, destroying forests and crippling the lumber industry.
As the once-abundant white pines disappeared, lumber mills shut down, businesses closed, and residents moved away. By the early 1900s, Port Crescent was abandoned, and its buildings were either dismantled or left to decay. The town faded into history, leaving behind only fragments of its past.
The Last Remaining Landmark: The Brick Chimney
One of the few remaining signs of Port Crescent’s existence is the brick chimney, which still stands near the Pinnebog River. This structure, believed to be part of the town’s brickyard or sawmill, is one of the only physical remnants of the once-thriving community.
Port Crescent State Park: A New Chapter
Today, Port Crescent’s former townsite is part of Port Crescent State Park, a popular destination for camping, hiking, and stargazing. The park’s sand dunes, scenic trails, and views of Lake Huron attract visitors year-round. A dark sky preserve makes it an excellent spot for astronomy enthusiasts, offering some of the best night sky views in Michigan.
While the town itself has vanished, its story lives on through the park’s historical markers and the memories of those who still tell its tale. The Pinnebog River, once a highway for timber, now flows quietly through the park, serving as a reminder of the town that once stood along its banks.
A Forgotten Michigan Ghost Town
Port Crescent may have faded from Michigan’s maps, but its history remains an essential part of the state’s lumber era. The next time you visit Port Crescent State Park, take a moment to reflect on the town that once thrived there—and the people who built it.
Have you visited Port Crescent State Park? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!
