Michigan Moments – Vividly Explore The Amazing History of 78 Michigan Small Towns

Step back into early 20th-century Adrian, Michigan—a town shaped by education, industry, and innovation. From the burning of the Lion Motor Works in 1912 to the centennial celebrations of 1925, this short film brings forgotten moments to life using original postcards and rare archival photos.

If you’ve never heard how Adrian tried to break into the auto industry or why its college was ahead of its time, this video will fill in the blanks.

Akron was established as a thriving agricultural hub in Michigan’s Thumb. Its early days saw bustling farms and vibrant community activities. Today, it retains much of its historical charm and rural character.

Once a booming industrial town on the shores of Lake Huron, Alabaster, Michigan, rose from gypsum rock and factory steam. In 1910, a massive fire nearly erased it overnight. This Michigan Moments episode brings rare photos and newspaper accounts to life, revealing a town shaped by industry, scorched by disaster, and determined to rise again.

Watch to learn how Alabaster was built, burned, and reborn.

#Alabaster #MichiganHistory #VintageMichigan #MichiganMoments

Applegate began as a small but significant railroad village. The town’s growth revolved around the transportation of goods and people. Historical landmarks from this railroad era still remain.

Join us in exploring Bay Port, Michigan, during its vibrant early 20th-century days. Experience the bustling railroad depot, thriving fisheries, the luxurious Bay Port Hotel, and leisurely summer days by Wildfowl Bay. Discover how commerce and leisure intertwined to shape this historic Michigan community.

Brown City developed rapidly due to its strategic location and strong agricultural economy. It became a bustling center of commerce and local trade, and many historical buildings reflect its prosperous past.

Join us for a nostalgic look at Burnside Township, Michigan – once a lively small town in Lapeer County and now almost vanished. This short film dives into Burnside’s story from the 1880s through the mid-1900s. We explore the ornate Bruce Mansion built in 1876 by Scottish immigrant John G. Bruce, and visit the little Main Street store (“J.G. Bruce & Son”) where locals gathered and young baseball players posed for photos. We’ll talk about the big 1881 fire that destroyed most of Burnside, plus the many local legends that grew up around the brick mansion (including reports of ghosts!). #MichiganHistory #Baseball #HauntedPlaces

In the 1950s and ’60s, Burnt Cabin Pointe Resort welcomed anglers and families to Michigan’s Thumb for smallmouth bass fishing, beach walks, and hot coffee on quiet mornings. But after a winter fire and a vanishing act from state maps, the resort was lost to time. Here’s the story of a shoreline, a lodge, and the life that once lingered at Eagle Bay.

Calumet, Michigan, was once the beating heart of America’s copper industry. Deep beneath its snowy streets, miners worked the Red Jacket Shaft—then the deepest mine in the world. Above ground, a thriving immigrant community built churches, unions, and social halls. But one winter night in 1913, joy turned to tragedy. A false cry of “fire” at the Italian Hall Christmas party caused a deadly stampede, killing 73—most of them children.

This Michigan Moments video explores the rise of Calumet, its labor struggles, and the heartbreaking events that left a mark on a generation. Through rare photographs and narration, we tell the story of a town built by hope—and tested by loss.

Travel back to 1912 in this short film about Capac, Michigan. From the daily arrival of the Grand Trunk train to the Palmer House hotel, to a tense bank run that nearly rocked the town, this Ken Burns-style video captures the industries, railroads, and rural grit that shaped life here. Includes rare photos of the chicory mill, stockyards, Main Street, and more.

#MichiganHistory #CapacMI #RailroadTowns

In 1919, the German submarine UC-97 made history by touring the Great Lakes, including stops in Detroit, Harbor Beach, and Port Huron. This video brings to life rare photos and the remarkable story of a U-boat that once stalked Allied ships but became a traveling exhibit across Michigan. Learn how this sleek vessel captured the imagination of thousands—and what became of her after the tour. #UBoat #MichiganHistory #GreatLakes

Carsonville’s agricultural heritage is central to its history. The village grew around farming communities and related businesses. Today, its historical charm attracts visitors and history buffs.

Caseville’s Transformation

Step back into early 20th-century Caseville, Michigan, where the Pigeon River once carried more than memories. This short documentary looks at the town’s transformation—from a white pine lumber port to a hub of Great Lakes fishing and tourism.

Rare RPPC photos show Caseville’s working waterfront, busy docks, and small-town charm. From party boats to boxcars, this is the history behind the harbor.

#Caseville #MichiganHistory #MichiganMoments

Don’s Livery in Caseville

Take a 90-second journey back to Caseville, Michigan, and revisit the story of Don’s Boat Livery—a mainstay on Saginaw Bay. Operated by Don Hamrick, the livery served generations of tourists and anglers with a fleet of wooden boats, carefully maintained motors, and a reputation for putting safety before profit. This short documentary brings vintage photos and newspaper clippings to life in a tribute to one of the Thumb’s most trusted waterfront businesses. #DonHamrick #CasevilleHistory #MichiganMoments

Caro, the heart of Tuscola County, is rich in historic sites and buildings. Its role as a regional center shaped its economic and social history. Landmarks such as the courthouse still tell Caro’s story. along with great photos of Michigans Thumb in the early 1900s

Today, we go to early 20th-century Clare, Michigan—a city shaped by timber, trials, and tenacity. Discover the events that defined its legacy.

Journey through the captivating history of Clarkston, Michigan—a picturesque town shaped by early settlers, bustling Main Street life, and serene lakeside inns. Explore iconic landmarks like the historic Deer Lake Inn, the Old Mill, and Clarkston Depot, and discover how this charming community preserves its heritage while embracing the future. Subscribe for more Michigan Moments!

Step back into Clio, Michigan between 1890 and 1940 — a time of steam trains, storefronts, and steady growth. This Michigan Moments episode brings to life rare vintage postcards and photo archives from one of Genesee County’s most connected towns.

From the Pere Marquette depot to bustling Vienna Street, these images reveal how industry, transportation, and community shaped Clio’s identity.

Take a three-minute visual journey through Columbiaville, Michigan, in the early 1900s. Featuring rare images of the woolen mills, opera house, train depot, and bustling Water Street, this pure Michigan moments narrated short film captures the rhythm of small-town life shaped by rail, river, and community. A glimpse into the past — steady, proud, and uniquely Michigan.

Take a rare look into the past of one of Michigan’s oldest and most unique towns—Cross Village. In this 3-minute Michigan Moments episode, we walk you through rare archival photos of stone churches, pow-wows, totem-topped taverns, and snowy logging camps. Learn about Legs Inn, the hermit Weikamp, and why Cross Village still matters.

Before Croswell, Michigan had paved streets and traffic lights, it had something even better—a swinging bridge with a warning: “Be Good to Your Mother-in-Law.” Watch how this small town carved out its place in history with factories, vaudeville, and farm grit.

Discover Fairgrove’s legacy as a key center for commerce and agriculture in Michigan’s Thumb.

Forestville boasts a rich maritime and logging history. The village flourished thanks to lumber and shipping industries. Historical sites today commemorate its vibrant past.

Before it became a tourism hotspot, Frankenmuth, Michigan was a quiet town of mills, merchants, and modest hotels. This episode of Michigan Moments brings you 10 rare photographs from 1900–1940 that reveal the working life of the people who built Frankenmuth from the ground up.

You’ll see the Henry Fischer Hotel, Rupprecht’s Meat Market, the Frankenmuth Brewing Co., and the original Zehnder Hotel—long before it became an icon. These images tell a different story—one of grit, trade, and everyday pride.

A glimpse into Gagetown’s vibrant past, featuring community milestones and historical landmarks.

Step back into Gladstone, Michigan’s early days through rare photographs from 1890 to 1940. Once a thriving hub for the Soo Line Railroad, the N.W. Cooperage Company, Marble Arms Manufacturing, and busy harbor docks, Gladstone helped fuel Michigan’s rise during the industrial boom. See how this Upper Peninsula town balanced hard labor with lakeside recreation at Tourist Park Beach. Watch now and see the history unfold.

#Gladstone #MichiganHistory #MichiganMoments

This reel showcases a collection of historical photographs capturing life in Michigan’s Thumb region. The images provide insights into the area’s cultural and economic development over the years. Viewers can appreciate the rich heritage and transformations of these communities through visual storytelling.

Continuing the visual journey, this reel presents additional historical photographs from Michigan’s Thumb. The curated images highlight everyday life, significant events, and architectural changes in the region. The collection serves as a valuable resource for understanding the area’s past.

Explore the fascinating story of Grand Marais, Michigan—a village defined by timber, fishing, and tourism along Lake Superior. Witness its transformation from a bustling lumber port into a charming getaway filled with local legends and natural beauty.

#GrandMaraisHistory #LakeSuperior #MichiganMoments

In 1905, Harbor Beach was more than a small lakeside town — it was one of Michigan’s most ambitious communities. Home to the world’s largest man-made harbor, a booming grain elevator, factories, hotels, and a bustling dock served by steamers, Harbor Beach stood as a key player in the state’s economic growth. This rare photo from the town’s busy dock tells the story of its rise during Michigan’s industrial boom.

? What made Harbor Beach the busiest business place in this part of Michigan?
? Why did industries, families, and travelers flock to this thriving Thumb port?
? Watch the full video to see how Harbor Beach became a vital link in Michigan’s Great Lakes commerce.

#HarborBeach #MichiganHistory #MichiganMoments

Take a nostalgic trip back to the early 1900s in Harrisville, Michigan, a charming small town on Lake Huron’s shore. This video weaves together vintage photographs and warm storytelling to bring Harrisville’s past to life.

Take a rare look back at Lakeville, Michigan, as it grew from a small farming village into a lakeside summer retreat. Through these seven historic photos, we see how Lakeville Lake, Smith’s Resort, Linger Longer Korner, Echo Grove Camp, and private summer cottages shaped life between 1890 and 1940.

From early boat-building experiments to Salvation Army camps for mothers and veterans, Lakeville Michigan history is filled with small but powerful moments that made it a beloved destination for generations of summer visitors.

#Lakeville #MichiganHistory #MichiganMoments

In this episode of Michigan Moments, we travel to Lawton, Michigan — a small town that found prosperity during one of America’s most challenging eras.

When Prohibition arrived in 1919, most alcohol-based industries collapsed. But in Lawton, farmers turned their Concord grape harvests into a new opportunity. Welch’s opened one of its largest processing plants here, transforming the town into a national supplier of grape juice. Local farmers became cooperative members, securing stable incomes while preserving their way of life.

We walk you through rare historic images: the Michigan Central Depot, grape harvest wagons, Smith’s Hotel, basket factories, Eaton Manufacturing, and the iconic Welch’s plant itself. Lawton’s story is one of adaptation, innovation, and hard work — and its grape harvests still roll in today.

?? Watch now to see how one Michigan town survived — and thrived — through sweet grapes and cooperative spirit.

#Lawton #MichiganHistory #MichiganMoments #VintageMichigan

Leonard, Michigan, may look like a quiet blip on the map, but this small town’s story includes fires, train wrecks, a homemade phone line, and a factory that made its own concrete blocks by hand. In this episode of Michigan Moments, we uncover how Leonard grew from a railroad siding into a tight-knit village that still carries the names and spirit of its founders.

From the basket factory to the grain elevator, from telegraph wires to school bells — Leonard made its own way. Watch the full story now and subscribe for more short documentaries about Michigan’s forgotten towns.

#Leonard #MichiganHistory #VintageMichigan #MichiganMoments

Lost Lake Woods Club near Lincoln, Michigan, has a history as rich as the surrounding forest. Founded in 1926, it began as a hunting and fishing retreat on land once stripped bare by logging. Members passed through the gated entrance to find a family lodge, golf course, and thousands of acres of wilderness. Bear hunts, deer camps, and lakeside gatherings defined the early decades. After World War II, fire destroyed the original lodge, but the members rebuilt stronger than ever. These rare historic photos take you inside the Lost Lake Woods Club’s remarkable first 25 years.

#LostLakeWoodsClub #MichiganHistory #VintageMichigan #MichiganMoments

Marlette grew significantly due to railroad connectivity and agriculture. Its economic prosperity led to notable community developments. Today, its historical narrative continues through well-preserved sites.

The Marlette Depot was critical to local transportation and community life. It connected Marlette to wider markets and facilitated local growth. Historical preservation efforts keep its legacy alive.

Marysville’s history is closely linked to Great Lakes shipping and industry. Its strategic location fostered significant industrial growth. Maritime heritage sites remain prominent today.

Step back in time with this 4-minute Michigan Moments episode on Metamora, Michigan, a village where railroads, horse wagons, and Girl Scout songs shaped everyday life.

This historic photo montage brings to life a town built at a crossroads—where the White Horse Inn has served travelers since 1850, Camp Metamora echoes with summer laughter, and local hardware stores stock supplies for every season.

See rare images of Metamora’s early downtown, snowy streets filled with wagons, lakeside camps, and the preserved railroad depot that helped shape the village’s identity.

#Metamora #MichiganHistory #VintageMichigan #MichiganMoments

General stores were central to rural Michigan life, providing goods and community gathering spots. This reel explores their cultural significance and historical charm. Many original stores are still preserved.

Celebrating Michigan’s smallest towns and their outsized impact on state history.

Explore historical “firsts” that put Michigan towns prominently on the map. These pioneering moments illustrate local innovation and influence. Each milestone shaped Michigan’s broader historical narrative.

Established in 1855, Millington began as a lumbering community in Tuscola County. The arrival of the railroad spurred economic growth, connecting the village to larger markets. Today, Millington retains its small-town charm while honoring its rich history through local museums and community events

Newaygo, Michigan, sits quietly on the Muskegon River today. But its story is anything but quiet. From massive pine forests to fiery destruction, from cement kilns to roaring dams, this small town has endured one transformation after another. Watch how Newaygo adapted to boom, bust, and rebirth over 100 dramatic years. This is Michigan history you’ve never seen like this.

#Newaygo #MichiganHistory #VintageMichigan #MichiganMoments

Take a ride through Newberry, Michigan in the 1930s. This short feature brings to life rare images of the town’s downtown, state hospital, industrial sites, and the early days of Tahquamenon tourism. See where visitors stayed, what they rode, and how this U.P. town bridged its past with a changing future.

Northport, Michigan’s history is preserved not only in records, but in the everyday scenes captured by these photo postcards. From dockside labor to seasonal cherry harvests, the town’s past is written in steam, crates, and shoreline. These images offer a rare, honest view of a community that shaped northern Michigan’s shoreline economy.

Once the world’s leading producer of wooden steering wheels, Onaway, Michigan, roared to life in the early 1900s. This short documentary traces the rise of the American Wood Rim Company, the 1926 fire that changed everything, and the town’s quiet determination to survive. Featuring rare historic photos and narration in the style of Ken Burns. #MichiganHistory #Onaway #GreatLakesIndustry

Step into Onsted, Michigan, at the turn of the 20th century — a rail stop that grew into a lakeside getaway in the heart of the Irish Hills.

This episode of Michigan Moments features restored postcards and rare photos of the town’s depot, Main Street businesses, lakeside resorts, and local industry. From Putnam’s Hotel on Sand Lake to the dry goods boom on Main Street, Onsted’s story reflects both the work ethic and rest ethic of early 1900s Michigan.

Step back into early 20th-century Pinconning, Michigan, where lumber mills, railroads, cheese factories, and summer cottages shaped the town’s identity. This short history features rare photos and engaging narration about a place that went from pine logs to Colby wheels in just a few decades.

#GreatLakesHistory #PinconningCheese #MichiganMoments

Step back in time with us to Pinnebog, Michigan, where horse-drawn wagons lined Main Street and neighbors gathered at the general store. These rare images and stories reveal what life was like in this tight-knit Thumb town at the turn of the century. 

#MichiganHistory #ThumbRegion #Pinnebog

Take a walk through time in Pontiac, Michigan, with this Michigan Moments episode. These rare photos from 1890 to 1940 reveal the city’s rise through auto factories, public institutions, and social turmoil.

See President Roosevelt’s train in 1936. Witness the crowded streets of a downtown parade. Learn about the Ku Klux Klan rally that drew thousands in 1925. This isn’t nostalgia—it’s history that still echoes today.

Watch now for a close-up view of Pontiac, Michigan’s past.

#Pontiac #MichiganHistory #VintageMichigan #MichiganMoments

In the 1950s and ’60s, Burnt Cabin Pointe Resort welcomed anglers and families to Michigan’s Thumb for smallmouth bass fishing, beach walks, and hot coffee on quiet mornings. But after a winter fire and a vanishing act from state maps, the resort was lost to time. Here’s the story of a shoreline, a lodge, and the life that once lingered at Eagle Bay.

Once a grand Georgian Revival mansion turned bed and breakfast, this 7,000-square-foot home welcomed guests with antique charm, homemade blueberry muffins, and a front-porch view of small-town life. Built in the 1800s and lovingly restored in the 1980s, it stood as a reminder of Port Austin’s rich history and hospitality.

Originally known as Bark Shanty, Port Sanilac was established in the 1840s as a lumberjack settlement. The construction of docks in 1857 and the Port Sanilac Lighthouse in 1886 bolstered its maritime importance. Today, the village preserves its history through museums and restored historic buildings.

Step into the history of Rose Island Resort, a beloved summer retreat along Saginaw Bay near Sebewaing, Michigan. This video highlights vintage photographs and narratives capturing the spirit of early 1900s vacations—boat races, dances, picnics, and community gatherings. Explore why Rose Island became an enduring memory for generations of Michiganders and learn about its lasting impact on the region. Subscribe for more Michigan history and travel stories!

This Michigan Moments episode captures the rich history of Ruth, Michigan, from its origins as a German farming community and Adams Corners to its heyday with railroads, gas stations, and a local tile factory. Using rare vintage photos, this 3-minute video shares the story of a Thumb town that stayed steady through changing times.

#MichiganMoments #RuthMichigan #GreatLakesTowns

Step back in time to Three Rivers, Michigan at the start of the 20th century. This Michigan Moments episode brings you rare historic photos from 1908-1920 showing the devastating flood, thriving factories, and vibrant downtown life that defined Three Rivers Michigan history.

See how Fairbanks Morse, Sheffield Car Company, and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Depot fueled the town’s rise. Watch as small businesses like Balch & Haring Furniture offered everything from household goods to funeral services.

The 1908 flood remains one of the worst natural disasters in the town’s history — but Three Rivers bounced back, becoming a model of small-town industrial success.

#ThreeRivers #MichiganHistory #VintageMichigan #MichiganMoments

Delving deeper into Unionville’s history, emphasizing its heritage buildings and community legacy.

Delving into the dramatic history behind Unionville’s iconic Coy Block and its influential founder.