News History & Fun in Michigan
We examine stories and events that shaped the history of the Upper Thumb and Michigan. While we focus on the Thumb region, other Great Lakes historical events are covered. Major events include the lumbering era and the 1871 and 1881 great fires. We cover major pioneers and personalities that shaped the region. To hear many of our best stories, visit and subscribe to our Podcast, “The End of the Road in Michigan.”
Our best Michigan history posts are found below.
A Port Hope museum will dedicate “Catharine’s Guiding Light,” a new barn quilt honoring Catharine Shook, Michigan’s first woman lighthouse keeper. The public ceremony is set for July 18 at the Port Hope Lumberyard Museum, with the quilt later appearing at the Heritage Festival.
The Michigan Thumb newspaper Tuscola Today carried a story, “Bigfoot Roaming the Cass? Video Raises the Question.” on July 21. It shows a screenshot and short video clip of the alleged Sasquatch from a person kayaking on the Cass River.
Bigfoot sightings, while unique are not uncommon. The online newspaper the Sun reported that more than 10,000 people have insisted they’ve seen the mythical being over the past 50 years.
Step into the heart of northern Michigan with this stunning cinematic look at Glen Arbor. A montage from rare early 1900s photos, this short video showcases the charm, scenery, and rhythm of one of the most beloved towns along Lake Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
The History of Charlevoix Michigan is more than a resort story. Pine River’s channel, working docks, steamship arrivals, railroad service, grand hotels and fishing trade turned a small harbor town into one of northern Michigan’s most memorable summer destinations.
Early 1900s photos show how small-town Michigan celebrated the Fourth of July with parades, brass bands, horse races, decorated cars, church picnics and crowded Main Streets.
Fort Drummond Michigan was not just an old ruin on Drummond Island. It was a British military village that remained after the War of 1812, until surveys and politics forced Britain to leave in 1828.
Leland, Michigan evolved from a sawmill and iron-smelting town into one of Lake Michigan’s last commercial fishing villages. Its historic Fishtown, weathered docks and family fisheries continue to tell one of Michigan’s most remarkable waterfront stories.
Cross Village was never just a scenic stop near the Tunnel of Trees. Rare postcards show an Odawa homeland, a logging town, a mission center, a burned-out Main Street and the folk-art wonder of Legs Inn.
