Hotel Heasty – Pigeon, Michigan’s 1895 Landmark
Built in 1895, the Hotel Heasty was a brick-front landmark in Pigeon, Michigan, offering travelers lodging, home-cooked meals, and a link to the community’s railroad-era growth.
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.
Spikehorn Meyers and His Wild Harrison Michigan Bear Roadside Attraction
In the 1930s, Spikehorn Meyers built a bear camp in Harrison, Michigan, that became one of the state’s most famous — and wildest — tourist stops. Visitors fed bears popcorn, watched them drink soda from bottles, and even lined up for …
Bad Axe’s Chicory Plant and the Muller Coffee Substitute Era, c. 1909–1912
An early-1900s photo captures the Bad Axe chicory plant tied to the railroad and regional farms. Operated by E. B. Muller & Co., it supported Michigan’s coffee-substitute trade in the first half of the 20th century.
The Ramsey Co. Storefront, Port Hope, Michigan (circa 1916)
This circa-1916 photograph captures The Ramsey Co. storefront in Port Hope, Michigan. A horse-drawn buggy stands ready outside the clapboard commercial building, offering a glimpse into early Main Street life in the Thumb region during a quieter era.
Huron Milling Company in Harbor Beach – A Glimpse into Michigan’s Industrial Past
This historic photograph captures the sprawling Huron Milling Company complex in Harbor Beach, Michigan, a major employer and economic driver in the early to mid-20th century. With its multi-story brick structure, water tower, and rail connections, the mill played a central role in processing grain and feeding regional markets.
Michigan Tourist Towers – 7 Forgotten Roadside Marvels That Once Ruled the Highways
Michigan’s beautiful landscape of rolling hills, sparkling lakes, and thick forests inspired early 20th-century entrepreneurs to build scenic lookout towers to entice the new generation of automobile tourists. In the 1910s and 1920s, as motoring became popular, roadside observation towers sprang …
History of Gilford Michigan – From 1800s Pioneer Settlement to Agriculture Powerhouse – Video
From steam trains to sugar beets, the history of Gilford, Michigan reveals a remarkable journey of a rural town shaped by railroads, farming, faith, and lasting community spirit.
The History of Caseville Harbor – Evolution of Ship Building, Industry, Fishing and Tourism
Historical pictures that shows Caseville Harbor from about 1941. This offers a glimpse of the history of Caseville Harbor. Looking out to Saginaw Bay, the only building that remains today is the Huron Yacht Club.