Before the Fireside – The Loud & Wild History of the Cartwheel Inn Port Austin
The Cartwheel Inn was an entertainment destination in Port Austin. Top bands and bikers from Detroit and Chicago would stop by for “fun.”
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.
Heroic Stand: A Tale of a Wife’s Valiant Fight Against a Deadly Wolf Attack in 1859
In 1859, a ferocious wolf attacked a Michigan farmer. The farmer’s wife exhibited remarkable courage, engaging the wolf in a deadly fight. Her heroic stand underscored the unpredictable nature of wildlife and human bravery.
The Shipwreck of the Steam Barge Osceola Off Port Crescent Michigan in 1887 Yielded In Some Massive Dough
The 1887 shipwreck of the steamer barge Osceola near Port Crescent revealed a chaotic aftermath, as locals salvaged flour that floated ashore, while rescue crews struggled to recover the stranded vessel. Eventually deemed a total loss, it was later salvaged and rebuilt.
The Logging Camps of Elkland Michigan
Author and local historian Mark Putman takes a journey back to the 1800s, an era of the land speculation, logging, and development of Elkland Michigan, and Cass City
Side Wheeler Steamboats – Exploring Their Impact on Michigan’s Saginaw River
Side-wheeler steamers were used across the Great Lakes well into the late 1800s. The East Saginaw and Bay City line ran on Michigan’s Saginaw River.
Michigan’s Deadliest Train Wreck – The 1901 Wabash Railway Disaster
The 1901 Wabash Railway disaster in Seneca, Michigan, resulted in over 90 deaths, largely among Italian immigrants. A collision caused by engineer miscommunication highlighted severe railway safety failures, sparking public outrage and demands for improved protocols to prevent future tragedies in early 20th-century rail travel.
1925’s Historic Aerial Newspaper Delivery: How Planes Connected Michigan’s Thumb During a Blizzard
In January 1925, the Port Huron Times launched Michigan’s first winter air delivery to the isolated Thumb region during a severe blizzard. It was likely the first time a military aricraft was used to delver newspapers.
113 Years Ago – A Quirky Week in News In Michigan’s Upper Thumb in 1912
113 years ago, the Harbor Beach TImes kept everyone up to date. No news was too obscure, strange, or quirky that it didn’t warrant a few lines in the paper.