Category: History

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.

Vintage railroad town scene illustration

History of Copemish Michigan – Railroads, Woodenware, and a Main Street That Once Felt Big 1900–1935

Posted on March 31, 2026March 31, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Copemish, Michigan began as a railroad stop and logging town in Manistee County. These early photos show a busy small town built on timber, railroads, and local businesses that served the people who lived and worked there.

History of Buckley Michigan – A Railroad and Lumber Town That Survived

Posted on March 29, 2026March 29, 2026 by Michael Hardy

The History of Buckley Michigan is the story of a railroad and logging town that survived the end of the lumber era by turning to agriculture, allowing the town to survive while many northern Michigan logging towns disappeared.

A Brief History of the Old Log Cabin Restaurant – Sebewaing, Michigan

Posted on March 28, 2026March 28, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Small towns in Michigan evolve. Back in the 1900s, before the Old Log Cabin Restaurant, a small town provided all

Oakland Hotel St Clair Michigan – The Rise and Fall of a Grand Resort (1881- 1915)

Posted on March 25, 2026March 25, 2026 by Michael Hardy

The Oakland Hotel is a beloved St. Clair, Michigan treasure, offering guests an unforgettable glimpse into the town’s rich history and architectural heritage. From its early days as a bustling hub for tourists and industrial workers to its current status as a beautifully restored and modernized landmark, the hotel remains a vital part of the community’s identity.

Overlooked Michigan History You Likely Missed in School

Posted on March 21, 2026March 22, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Michigan’s history is often told through well-known events—Detroit’s auto industry, the Mackinac Bridge, or lumber booms. But across the state,

Michigan Genealogy Research Surges as New Laws, DNA Breakthroughs, and Archives Expand Access

Posted on March 20, 2026March 20, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Genealogy research in Michigan is entering a new phase, driven by faster access to vital records, advances in DNA technology,

First Female Lighthouse Keeper Michigan: The Untold Story of Catherine Shook

Posted on March 19, 2026March 19, 2026 by Malcom Mott

In 1849, Catherine Shook was appointed the first woman lighthouse keeper in the State of Michigan. She ran the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse until 1851.

Steamship Excursion From Detroit 1910

Posted on March 15, 2026March 15, 2026 by Malcom Mott

While railroads had been in service for much of the major cities in southern Michigan, excursion steamships were still a comfortable and viable option to get to Michigan’s northern resort areas. You could board a ship on a Friday evening, have dinner on board, and arrive in north Michigan the next morning.