News & 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.
On June 9, 1909, a mechanical failure at Canada’s Soo Locks led to the sinking of two ships, halting Great Lakes commercial traffic. This disaster exposed infrastructure vulnerabilities, prompting modernization efforts and highlighting potential economic repercussions from similar incidents today.
The Smith-Culhane House, a historic 150-year-old Victorian home in Port Austin, Michigan, reflects the region’s lumber boom heritage. Once a family residence, it now serves as a private home after its revival into a Bed and Breakfast, preserving local history and architecture.
On the evening of December 14, 1930, Elkton residents were jolted by cries that the schoolhouse was on fire. As the village siren blared, telephone lines lit up with urgent calls spreading the news. Fueled by the building’s old wooden floors, …
The Lakeside Inn in Port Austin, Michigan, served as a courthouse, Prohibition speakeasy, and big band hotspot before its fiery demise in 1967.
The waters near Michigan’s Thumb are home to many shipwrecks, including notable incidents like the Philadelphia and Albany collision. This area, once a vital shipping route, is now an underwater preserve safeguarding maritime history and mysteries of the Great Lakes.
Pontiac, Oxford & Northern Railroad (P.O. & N) ran from September 1889 until the last service run of the full length of the line on February 9, 1984.
Capital Airlines Flight 67 crashed near Midland, Michigan, on April 6, 1958, killing all 47 aboard. Eyewitnesses saw a fireball, and investigators scrambled for answers. Was it mechanical failure, severe weather, or something else? The crash reshaped aviation safety policies.
Ever heard of Douglass Houghton, the man who left an indelible mark on Michigan’s geology? Uncover the life and mysteries of the state’s first geologist whose passion led him to the rocky shores of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Dive into this gripping tale and discover how one man’s legacy continues to shape Michigan today.
