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.

WPA Great Depression Art – 8 of 47 Post Office Murals & Reliefs We Found in Michigan

Posted on April 3, 2022March 5, 2025 by Michael Hardy

The mural in Caro’s Post Office; Mail on the Farm was done in 1941 by Michigan artist David Fredenthal. Its one of five worked commissioned by the Department of the Treasury during the Great Depression.

The March 1947 Snowstorm that Paralyzed Michigan’s Thumb

Posted on March 31, 2022March 3, 2024 by Nathan Marks

Minden City Herald Editor Nathan Marks published a great article about the 1947 snowstorm that absolutely walloped Michigan’s Upper Thumb. It’s an interesting bit of history that many don’t know about.

The Amazing History of UFOs Over Michigan – 10 Eyewitness Accounts

Posted on March 29, 2022April 9, 2023 by Nathan Marks

There is a long history with reports of UFOs over Michigan. The Minden City Herald has collected 10 reports of activity over Michigan’s Thumb.

The Garfield Inn – #1 Adorable Example Of Pioneer Elegance in Port Austin Michigan

Posted on March 26, 2022April 5, 2025 by Michael Hardy

Short history of Charles Learned, the builder and Huron County pioneer who build the Garfield Inn and was friends with a US President James Garfield.

Sebewaing History – A Busy Harbor

Posted on March 13, 2022March 13, 2022 by Michael Hardy

Sebewaing had a thriving shipbuilding and lumber shipping capability in its narrow harbor in the 1800s

13 Extraordinary Mansions in the United States

Posted on March 2, 2022October 23, 2024 by Annette Hinshaw

We like to explore estates and mansions in the United States. Amazingly Michigan has 4 of the top 13 on this list of estates where one can tour the property.

Lindbergh Kidnapping Grips Michigan Thumb News For Months

Posted on March 1, 2022March 1, 2022 by Michael Hardy

Charles Lindbergh’s 20-month-old son was kidnapped on March 1, 1932. The news shocked and gripped the entire nation, with updates occurring almost every week in newspapers, including the Harbor Beach Times in Michigan’s Upper Thumb

The Restored 1890 Marlette Railway Depot Faces Uncertain Future

Posted on March 1, 2022January 28, 2026 by Michael Hardy

By 1910 Marlette Railway depot was a twice a day stop for passengers and freight between Port Huron and Saginaw. During World War I, the depot saw service by sending freight and troops to fight in the Great War. However, will it survive the pandemic?