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.
This vintage photograph of Caseville, Michigan, likely taken in the late 1930s or early 1940s, captures a slice of everyday life on Main Street during a quieter era. The image prominently features LeBlanc’s General Store, a recognizable storefront advertising, “We Sell …
The early 1900s Michigan Central Railroad Depot in Vassar, Michigan, a Romanesque-influenced structure, continues to serve as the operational office for Huron and Eastern Railway Company, linking its rich rail history to ongoing regional freight commerce today.
In the late 19th century, the Kennedy-McCoy Hotel thrived in Port Crescent, Michigan, before relocating to Kinde as the Grand Central Hotel, adapting through historical changes. It served as a community hub for over a century before closing in the 1980s.
In a small-town escapade, two couples elope, only to be thwarted by vigilant fathers who pursue them after a hotelkeeper alerts them. The incident highlights youthful rebellion and the challenges of escaping parental oversight.
This photograph from around 1900 showcases Kinde, Michigan’s Main Street, highlighting the brick and wood storefronts and a busy rural economy. It documents local businesses, transportation challenges, and the town’s role in agricultural development post-lumber boom.
Harbor Beach Resort Association in Michigan, founded in 1896, is a historic summer community with rustic cottages, active membership, and communal dining. It showcases Michigan’s elite vacation traditions, preserving family-oriented charm while providing various recreational amenities and maintaining exclusivity through selective membership.
The park first opened as a county park in 1925. In 1927 the state acquired the property and called it Huron State Park. In 1944, the park was renamed in honor of Albert E. Sleeper, governor of Michigan (1917-1920) and resident …
This early 1900s photo captures the rural railroad depot at Pointe Aux Barques, Michigan, taken by Louis James Pesha. The image includes a windmill-powered water tower, a wooden depot station, and both a horse-drawn buggy and early automobile, capturing a transitional …
