News History & 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.
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.
Michigan’s history is often told through well-known events—Detroit’s auto industry, the Mackinac Bridge, or lumber booms. But across the state, smaller and often forgotten stories still sit in plain sight. While many people think of its big factories and industrial growth, …
Genealogy research in Michigan is entering a new phase, driven by faster access to vital records, advances in DNA technology, and expanded historical archives. Recent developments across the state point to a shift: Michigan genealogy research and family history are no …
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.
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.
the Harbor Beach News from July 1902. It highlights a fare war between the railroads and the steamships on excursions between Buffalo, New York, and Detroit, Michigan. It signals a sign that it’s the beginning of the end of steamship dominance on the Great Lakes in favor of railroads.
Did you know that in the 1920s, the Red Cross provided essential health care services to Michigan’s rural Thumb region? Even in those days, the Red Cross was dedicated to reaching communities in need with creativity and determination.
Northern Michigan is preparing for a powerful late-season winter storm that could bring 1 to 3 feet of snow, ice accumulation, and wind gusts up to 60 mph, according to multiple warnings issued by the National Weather Service. The storm is …
