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.

Inside Cash’s Bar Ubly – Michigan’s Can Covered Bar of the 1940s – Video

Posted on April 23, 2025October 5, 2025 by Michael Hardy

A Curiosity in Cans: Cash’s Bar in Michigan’s Thumb In the quiet village of Ubly, Michigan, during the 1940s, one

A Glimpse into Early Bad Axe – The Schrader House Hotel and the P.M. Fountain

Posted on April 20, 2025April 20, 2025 by Michael Hardy

At the turn of the 20th century, Bad Axe, Michigan, thrived with commerce, featuring horse-drawn wagons and the New Schrader House hotel. This era’s essence is captured in a postcard, highlighting community, travel, and civic pride, now replaced by modernity.

Kilmanagh Michigan History – 3 Fascinating Facts About the C. Haist & Co. General Store Era

Posted on April 19, 2025April 19, 2025 by Annette Hinshaw

The historic photo depicts C. Haist and Company’s Store in Kilmanagh, Michigan, circa late 1800s. It highlights the store’s role as a community hub and features Italianate architecture typical of the era.

Did Caseville Have A Log Cabin Post Office in the 1930s?

Posted on April 19, 2025April 19, 2025 by Michael Hardy

This vintage photograph of Caseville, Michigan, likely taken in the late 1930s or early 1940s, captures a slice of everyday

Michigan Central Railroad Depot in Vassar – Rail Legacy Still on Track

Posted on April 18, 2025April 18, 2025 by Michael Hardy

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.

The Amazing Story of the Grand Central Hotel (Kinde, Michigan) – 1880s to 1970s – The Forgotten Inn That Traveled Across Time

Posted on April 16, 2025April 16, 2025 by Michael Hardy

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.

Love on the Lam: The Great Northville Elopement Caper Ends in Kinde, Michigan – 1903

Posted on April 15, 2025April 15, 2025 by Michael Hardy

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.

Main Street at Kinde Michigan c1900

Posted on April 15, 2025April 15, 2025 by Michael Hardy

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.