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.

10 Unique Words For Place Names In Michigan

Posted on February 23, 2022December 5, 2023 by Mark Putnam

Historian and writer Mark Putman explores ten unique Native American words that derive place names in Michigan. A fascinating history of our evolving language.

A Day In Hell – The 1911 Oscoda and AuSable Fire

Posted on February 5, 2022June 25, 2025 by Michael Hardy

The devastation of the 1911 Oscoda and AuSable fire that wiped out these eastern Michigan towns would be compared to the Great Peshtigo Fire in 1871

These two bustling shoreline towns were wiped off the map in one day.

The Coast Guard Station In Harbor Beach – 1929

Posted on January 26, 2022 by Paul Austin

The Huron Milling Co. has dredged a channel from deep water in the harbor the US Coast Guard maintained the station just south of the dock.

Pointe Aux Barques Resort Noted in the Standard Guide to Mackinac Island & Northern Lake Resorts 1899

Posted on January 26, 2022January 12, 2023 by Michael Hardy

Excerpt on the Pointe Aux Barques Resort taken from the Standard Guide to Mackinac Island and Northern Michigan Resorts 1899.

The Standard Guide; Mackinac Island and Northern Lake Resorts. It is a visitors handbook written in 1898 detailing early tourism to Mackinac Island. For 25 cents it gave the potential visitor a glimpse of what to expect at Michigan’s premier tourist destination. However, the ads and descriptions of the other northern Michigan resorts of the day are fascinating.

Port Crescent Sand and Fill Operations

Posted on January 25, 2022March 10, 2026 by Paul Austin

After the lumber industry collapsed in Michigan during the 1880s. The town of Port Crescent was abandoned and most buildings moved. Sand operations started for glass making.

Caro Water Works – The 6 Challenges That Had To Be Solved

Posted on December 10, 2021June 7, 2022 by Mark Putnam

In May of 1887, the Caro community voted on its first public water system. It would be built by a private company and be called the Caro Water Works.

The creation of the Caro Water Works Co. sought to solve problems of a small growing city in rural Michigan in the late 1800s.