10 Unique Words For Place Names In Michigan
Historian and writer Mark Putman explores ten unique Native American words that derive place names in Michigan. A fascinating history of our evolving language.
Tag: History
Covering topics from early European colonization, fur trade, military history, the French and Indian War, Pontiac’s Rebellion, Michigan in the American Revolution, Michigan in the Civil War, lumbering and early tourism in Michigan.
Henry Schoolcraft Travels to Charity Island 1820
Henry Schoolcraft was asked to join an expedition organized by Governor Cass of Michigan in 1819. Its purpose was to locate the source of the Mississippi River’ and explore the Great Lakes region. As an expert mineralogist, he was tasked with describing Michigan’s significant topographical features, natural history, and mineral wealth. The expedition took approximately 40 men in five long voyageur canoes commonly used in the fur trade on the Great Lakes. At 35 feet long and 6 feet wide, the canoe had an amazing capacity of four tons. They started the journey on May 24, 1820.
Michigan M-25 is States First Scenic Highway in 1940
An M-25 Road Trip is taken around Michigan’s Thumb months prior to World War II. The tourism industry is still recovering from the Great Depression and paving M25 was just completed making it Michigan’s 1st Scenic Highway.
This folksy article was from the Huron Times in 1940.
4 Amazing Stories About the Michigan Indian Trails of The Upper Thumb
The first major highways were based on trails Native Americans has used for centuries throughout Michigan.
Here are four tidbits about those trails in Michigan’s Upper Thumb.
12 Sites Make Up This Amazing Time Capsule of Huron City Michigan
Huron City Michigan is a historic district and museum with buildings from the 1800s. The town was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. The tiny town is open for tours on Friday and Saturday during July & August.
St. Joseph Indian Trail – Michigan’s 200 Mile Ancient Highway
The St. Joseph Trail was an ancient major native American route that traversed the southern portion of Michigan—originating near the mouth of the St. Joseph river, it continued eastward terminating near Ann Arbor and connecting with the other major trail systems along the Straits of Detroit.
Emil Baur Gave Relief to the Indians at Ora Labora After 1871 Great Fire
In October of 1871, a great forest fire swept across much of the Thumb region including the section of Michigan that included the lands of the former colony of Ora Labora. The colony was in the process of being disbanded and the lands sold off, but large holdings remained including some cabins and buildings. The colony’s benefactor and primary landowner, the Harmony Society immediately sent $200 for distribution among the needy.
Plans Underway for 2 Ora Labora Cabins From the Colony to be Restored
The Pigeon Historical Society to relocate and restore two cabins that were originally located in the 1800s German religious colony called Ora Labora.