News History & Fun in Michigan
Harbor Beach is a small city located along the shores of Lake Huron in Michigan’s Upper Thumb region. Known for having the world’s largest freshwater man-made harbor, it offers a mix of natural beauty and historical charm. The city is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and beachgoers, with attractions such as the Harbor Beach Lighthouse and a scenic waterfront park. The area also boasts museums like the Grice House Museum, showcasing local maritime history. Harbor Beach provides a relaxed, small-town atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts and visitors seeking a peaceful lakeside getaway.
The Upper Thumb is blessed with sandy beaches, fun places to visit and great inexpensive places to eat. We compiled a listing of the top restaurants, grills, bakeries, and bars that offer breakfast. These are the top rated places to go for your morning meal according to the travel sites Yelp and TripAdvisor.
There is a long history with reports of UFOs over Michigan. The Minden City Herald has collected 10 reports of activity over Michigan’s Thumb.
Top 15 “Must See” Michigan Upper Thumb Attractions.
A perfect recipe for a day trip or a week of exploring. Many are free to see and all are an easy drive to get to.
We encountered many folks who have come up to Michigan’s Upper Thumb for their entire lives but never have seen these top ten sites. They offer a glimpse of the history and beauty of native Michigan and its Great Lakes.
Steven W. Donahue was born and grew up on his family farm near Port Hope. He moved away and started studying the arts, including photography becoming an accomplished artist and photographer with over 50 years of work.
Harbor Beach Lighthouse Preservation Society has announced it has completed the refinishing of the exterior of the lighthouse tower. The year long project was completed by local businesses and residents. Tours restarted June 2021.
The Coast Guard Station at Harbor Beach, originally built in 1910 and relocated in 1935, served as a training facility during WWII before closing in 1987. Despite preservation efforts, the station was demolished in 2004. It played a significant role in the Great Lakes waterway system and local maritime history.
On the eastern edge of Michigan’s Thumb lies a lonely and very rocky cove on the shore of Lake Huron. The remote area sits on a layer of limestone that makes it hard to build on so it remains undeveloped to this day. It’s hard to imagine that this beautiful remote setting was the site for criminal activity during the time of Michigan Prohibition for over 12 years.
