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.

General George Meade – US Army Engineer, Great Lakes Surveyor and Gettysburg Commander

Posted on January 12, 2026February 23, 2026 by Michael Hardy

In the mid 1800’s much of Michigan was wilderness. In 1857, Captain George Meade took over the Lakes Survey mission of the Great Lakes.

History of Michigan Chicory Production – From Ditch Weed to Coffee’s Breakfast Sidekick (1860-1940)

Posted on January 10, 2026February 23, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Michigan once supplied nearly all of America’s chicory. This report traces how farms, factories, and railroads built a quiet but profitable coffee industry across the state.

Short History of The Walker Tavern at Cambridge Junction Michigan – House at the Crossroads – (1832-1940)

Posted on January 4, 2026January 4, 2026 by Michael Hardy

The Walker Tavern at Cambridge Junction was built in 1832 along the Old Chicago Road. Its story reveals how Michigan travel evolved—from Indigenous trails to stagecoaches, highways, and roadside tourism.

Michigan’s Great Sauk Trail – A 400 Mile Native American Legacy

Posted on January 4, 2026January 4, 2026 by Michael Hardy

The Great Sauk Trail is a major Native American route that ran between Detroit, Chicago and terminated at Rock Island on the Mississippi river. Originally created by migrating bison, the trail was only about a foot wide but also a foot deep as eons of travelers walked along it single file. It was used over a thousand years.

Michigan Grave Robbers Brazenly Operated During the 1800s

Posted on January 4, 2026January 4, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Grave robbing was a gruesome yet common crime in the late 1800’s as medical schools sought bodys for study.

The Secret History of Tower Beach Amusement Park, Sylvan Lake (1890–1940)

Posted on January 1, 2026February 23, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Before cottages and cars, Tower Beach Sylvan Lake Michigan thrived as a trolley-fed amusement park. Families packed picnic baskets, rode the interurban, and spent risky, unforgettable summer days by the water.

Polly Ann Railroad – Rail Life Along Michigan’s Pontiac-to-Caseville Line (1889-1984)

Posted on December 20, 2025January 1, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Polly Ann Railroad history still runs under your feet. Follow the 100-mile route from Pontiac to Caseville, meet the depot towns, and see how freight and mail shaped daily life.

Discover the Deep History of Harbor Springs Michigan – 16 Old Photos Give a Glimpse

Posted on December 19, 2025February 23, 2026 by Michael Hardy

The history of Harbor Springs Michigan traces a rare continuity from Odawa settlement to steamship resort town. This story explains how culture, commerce, and community shaped one of the Great Lakes’ most enduring places.