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.

Rainy Day Things to Do in Caseville & Michigan’s Thumb

Posted on August 19, 2026August 22, 2026 by Paul Austin

Weather patterns in Michigan’s Thumb are notoriously fickle. A sudden squall off Lake Huron can turn a Caseville beach day into a washout in minutes,…

Michigan Thumb Weekend Itinerary: Port Austin & Caseville

Posted on August 18, 2026August 23, 2026 by Paul Austin

Most travelers view the Michigan Thumb as a simple collection of beach towns; however, the shoreline from Caseville to Port Austin actually serves as…

Michigan Constitutional Convention: 612 Historic Recordings Return as Voters Face a Major 2026 Decision

Posted on August 18, 2026August 18, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Michigan is digitizing 612 recordings from its 1961-62 Constitutional Convention, bringing the voices behind today’s state constitution back as voters face the issue again in 2026.

Unique Day Trips in Michigan’s Thumb: Industrial Ruins and Geologic Oddities

Posted on August 17, 2026August 19, 2026 by Paul Austin

Most travelers navigate the M-25 highway looking for a place to park a camper, yet the most significant historical sites in the region are often…

Michigan Thumb Fall Color Tour: Port Austin to Caseville

Posted on August 16, 2026August 19, 2026 by Paul Austin

While crowds swarm the Upper Peninsula in late September, the most reliable autumn foliage often waits until late October along the Lake Huron…

The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge Golf Course Has Banned Your Fancy Clubs

Posted on August 16, 2026August 16, 2026 by Michael Hardy

The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge has turned its 1935 nine-hole course into a hickory-only, walking-only experience. Its story begins with unemployed miners, federal relief money and Ocha Potter’s disputed plan for a northern golf resort.

Family Friendly Activities in Bay City MI: A Maritime and Nature Guide

Posted on August 16, 2026August 19, 2026 by Paul Austin

A 418-foot naval destroyer sitting in the Saginaw River isn’t just a relic of the Cold War; it’s one of the most immersive classrooms in…

Spooky Bruce Mansion Tours Return, Opening 150-Year-Old Thumb Landmark to Visitors

Posted on August 15, 2026August 15, 2026 by Michael Hardy

The Bruce Mansion near Brown City now offers scheduled daytime visits, overnight investigations and private events inside one of Michigan’s best-known reputedly haunted landmarks.

Bay City Michigan Riverfront Events: A Guide to Festivals on the Saginaw River in 2026

Posted on August 13, 2026August 19, 2026 by Paul Austin

The industrial docks that once shipped white pine lumber across the globe now serve as the foundation for one of the most concentrated festival…

Bad Axe, MI Travel Guide: History & Local Attractions

Posted on August 10, 2026August 13, 2026 by Paul Austin

In 1861, surveyor Captain Rudolph Papst stumbled upon a discarded, rusted tool at a deserted hunting camp and decided the site needed a name. He…