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.

The Lucky History And Amazing #1 Power of the Caro Michigan Dam

Posted on January 26, 2021January 21, 2022 by Mark Putnam

The history and story behind the 115 year old Caro Michigan River Dam. It’s been a home to Native Americans and early Michigan settlers.

The Dam is falling into significant disrepair. If it fails the Cass river would become a mere creek which would greatly impact recreational boating and fishing.

Fortunately there is interest in refurbishing the historic structure.

Belle Isle State Park Works To Restore Historic Sawmill

Posted on January 22, 2021March 10, 2026 by Paul Austin

For decades, City of Detroit foresters industriously labored away in a quaint sawmill within Belle Isle Park, giving trees from streets and parks new life as usable wood after they were removed for road widening or death from disease, pests, or storms.

A Lost Lumber and Company Town – New River Michigan

Posted on January 15, 2021April 8, 2025 by Malcom Mott

On the shores of Lake Huron near the tip of Michigan’s Thumb is a well appointed cottage community that used to be a thriving company lumber town. New River Michigan as been almost erased by time and nature.

A Short History of The Saginaw Bay Fishery

Posted on January 8, 2021November 23, 2022 by Malcom Mott

Historically, Saginaw Bay supported Lake Huron’s largest commercial walleye fishery and was second in the Great Lakes to only Lake Erie.

The earliest commercial fisheries dated to the 1830s, and walleye were specifically noted in catch records as early as 1858.

36 Months of The Flint Michigan Water Crisis Timeline

Posted on December 30, 2020June 7, 2022 by Malcom Mott

As a result of the corrosive nature of the Flint River water and mismanagement by all of the appointed emergency managers, the Flint city government and by Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality an unknown number of children in Flint, Michigan (estimates are in the 1000’s), were exposed to dangerous amounts of lead in their drinking water over a period of 18 months.