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.

Passenger Steamer Topinabee on Burt Lake: Historic Michigan Short

Posted on June 13, 2026July 18, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Watch this Michigan Moments short about the Passenger Steamer Topinabee on Burt Lake. The video looks back at a time

The Vibrant History of Harrisville Michigan – A 1900s Stroll Down Memory Lane

Posted on June 12, 2026June 20, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Historic photos tell the story of Harrisville, Michigan, during the early 1900s. From the D&M Railroad depot and MacDonald Hotel to Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, Harrisville State Park and Main Street stores, the images show a Lake Huron town shaped by work and travel.

Six Michigan Towns, One Bay – A Historic Video Trip Through Tawas, Au Gres, Omer, Pinconning, West Branch and Linwood

Posted on June 11, 2026June 20, 2026 by Michael Hardy

These six Michigan Moments videos follow small towns shaped by Lake Huron, Saginaw Bay, railroads, lumber, cheese, fishing and inland roads. From Tawas to Linwood, each town adds another piece to the story of northeast Michigan and the Great Lakes Bay region.

The Amazing History of Alabaster Michigan – 14 Powerful Scenes From a Ghost Gypsum Town

Posted on June 11, 2026July 9, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Alabaster, Michigan, grew around gypsum, rail cars and Lake Huron shipping. These early photos show the U.S. Gypsum quarry, the aerial dock, the school, the hotel and the 1910 mill fire that nearly stopped the town’s main source of work.

The Charming History of Standish Michigan – 16 Rare Postcard Views Show Rails, Stone Depot and the Road North

Posted on June 10, 2026August 24, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Standish, Michigan grew from a railroad stop into a farm-market town, highway stop and oil-era community. Old images show the depot, Main Street, fishing docks and Halloween pranks.

Falmouth Michigan History Reveals 13 Rare Photos From a Forgotten Farm Town

Posted on June 8, 2026June 20, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Falmouth, Michigan, had an early brush with county government, but its lasting story came from work. Rail service, lumber, dairy, farm tools, banking and general stores turned the Missaukee County town into a practical hub for rural families.

Drayton Plains Station 1918 – Waterford’s Amazing Fish Hatchery

Posted on June 7, 2026June 20, 2026 by Michael Hardy

The Drayton Plains hatchery was not just a pretty pond. In 1918, it was part of Michigan’s push to raise fish, stock public waters and manage nature by hand.

History of Belding Michigan – Soft Silk, Iceboxes and a River Town That Worked – (1871 -1940)

Posted on June 5, 2026June 20, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Belding, Michigan, became one of West Michigan’s most unusual factory towns, built on silk mills, company boarding houses, rail traffic, iceboxes and a busy Main Street.

History of Prudenville Michigan – How Hunting and Fishing Built a Town – Michigan Moments Video

Posted on June 5, 2026June 20, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Watch rare photos and learn how Prudenville, Michigan transformed from a lumber settlement into a thriving Houghton Lake destination built on fishing, hunting, tourism, dance halls, and family vacations that shaped northern Michigan.

Caseville History – 4 Pioneering Industries That Predate Its Tourist Charm

Posted on June 4, 2026June 20, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Caseville transformed from an industrial hub in the late 1800s, characterized by fishing and lumbering, to a modern tourist destination. Its economy shifted towards tourism, attracting visitors with beaches and events, while its industrial past remains evident in historical sites and buildings.