Michigan Moments – Vividly Explore 40 of Michigan’s Amazing Small Town History

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.

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.

Take a ride back to early 1900s Carsonville, Michigan ??. See bustling storefronts, horse-drawn wagons, and steam trains that connected this small Thumb-area village to the wider world. A glimpse of life, commerce, and community from over 100 years ago. #MichiganHistory #Carsonville #ThumbRegion #VintageVibes #HistoricalMichigan

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Watch to learn how this small town helped shape a region.

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

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.