The Legacy of Gillingham Fishing Docks in Caseville, Michigan
A vintage postcard reveals the once-booming fishing docks of Caseville. Learn how the Gillingham Fish Company helped shape the Thumb’s economy—and what remains today.
Pointe Aux Barques Depot Preserves a Powerful Slice of Michigan History
This early 1900s photo captures the rural railroad depot at Pointe Aux Barques, Michigan, taken by Louis James Pesha. The image includes a windmill-powered water tower, a wooden depot station, and both a horse-drawn buggy and early automobile, capturing a transitional …
Stanton’s Cottages – A Charming Port Austin Roadside Resort History From the 1940s
Stanton’s Cottages was a small tourist resort of rustic cabins located along M-25 (formerly US-25) about two miles west of Port Austin, Michigan. The enterprise took its name from its proprietor, Carl Stanton, a resident who established the cottages with his …
Grindstone Grill And Cottages – A Glimpse into Grindstone City’s Roadside Past
In the postwar era of Michigan’s Thumb, family vacations often meant packing into the car and heading to the shoreline. Long before Airbnbs and highway motels, small family-run operations like the Grindstone Grill and Cottages offered travelers a clean room, a …
Great Lakes Water Levels 2025 – Big Drops, Big Impacts Across Michigan
Unseasonably heavy precipitation and rising Great Lakes water levels mark a turning point in Michigan’s hydrological outlook this spring. Unstable Weather, Lake Rises Signal Shifting Climate Trends Residents and waterway stakeholders in Michigan and across the Great Lakes are watching closely …
Michigan Ice Storm Forest Damage Wreaks Havoc: 5 Urgent DNR Recovery Moves
Michigan’s DNR faces severe challenges after an April ice storm, organizing emergency responses to assess forest damage, clear roads, and ensure public safety, while also addressing timber salvage and wildfire risks in affected ecosystems.
Carl Peets’ Fishing Parties in Caseville – A Look Back at Michigan’s Fishing Party Boat Days
Carl Peets was a familiar name along the Pigeon River in Caseville during the postwar years, known for running daily fishing trips into Saginaw Bay. His charter service drew locals and tourists alike—until a deadly explosion aboard his boat, Panteramarina, changed …
The Sinking of the Fishing Tug Searchlight – Harbor Beach’s Worst Fishing Tragedy
On April 23, 1907, the fishing tug Searchlight capsized in a storm off Harbor Beach, resulting in the loss of all six crew members. This tragedy shocked the community and remains a grim chapter in Huron County’s fishing history.