Drayton Plains Station 1918 – Waterford’s Amazing Fish Hatchery
The Drayton Plains hatchery was not just a pretty pond. In 1918, it was part of Michigan’s push to raise fish, stock public waters and manage nature by hand.
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.
History of Belding Michigan – Soft Silk, Iceboxes and a River Town That Worked – (1871 -1940)
Belding, Michigan, became one of West Michigan’s most unusual factory towns, built on silk mills, company boarding houses, rail traffic, iceboxes and a busy Main Street.
History of Prudenville Michigan – How Hunting and Fishing Built a Town – Michigan Moments Video
Watch rare photos and learn how Prudenville, Michigan transformed from a lumber settlement into a thriving Houghton Lake destination built on fishing, hunting, tourism, dance halls, and family vacations that shaped northern Michigan.
Caseville History – 4 Pioneering Industries That Predate Its Tourist Charm
Caseville transformed from an industrial hub in the late 1800s, characterized by fishing and lumbering, to a modern tourist destination. Its economy shifted towards tourism, attracting visitors with beaches and events, while its industrial past remains evident in historical sites and buildings.
History of Caro Michigan – 3 Historic Videos of Rare Photos Showing What Built A Charming Thumb Town
Caro, Michigan, became more than a county seat. Its growth came from sugar beets, railroads, hospitals, public offices, electric power and the Caro Fair. This look back shows how one Thumb town became a working center for farm families, merchants and travelers.
History of The 1908 Metz Fire Michigan – The Shocking Day a Railroad Village Burned
The 1908 Metz Fire destroyed the village of Metz, Michigan, and killed 37 people. Hundreds were left homeless. The most painful chapter came when a Detroit & Mackinac Railway relief train derailed after intense heat damaged the rails near Nowicki’s Siding.
Resorts of Lake Gogebic, Michigan: The Era That Turned Timber Country Into a Vacation Destination (1899 – 1940)
Lake Gogebic resorts once gave Marenisco and the western Upper Peninsula a full summer economy. Cabins, tap rooms, dining rooms, boat landings, public parks and fishing docks turned a former timber region into a vacation place families returned to for generations.
History of Milan Michigan – 13 Amazing Photos Reveal How The Wabash Railroad Built a Working Town
Milan, Michigan, began as a small farm settlement along the Saline River. By the early 1900s, it had become something more complex. It was still a place of fields, mills and Main Street trade. But it was also a railroad junction, …