News & Fun in Michigan
This tag hints at articles and stories about Michigan history and the Michigan Thumb region. Michigan was part of the Northwest territory, and starting in 1815, the fur trade and influx of settlers and land speculators began.
By the time Michigan became a state in 1838, much of the southern third was already cris-crossed with improved Indian trails and initial roads. In a few short years, the lumbering era would begin, followed by the agriculture growth resulting from the cleared land.
Reese, Michigan evolved from a post-Civil War frontier settlement into a thriving village by 1950. Strengthened by agriculture, railroads, and community efforts, its residents built enduring institutions amid challenges like wars and the Depression.
Gagetown, founded by Joseph Gage, thrived through a vital grist mill and railroad connections, fostering economic growth. Despite devastating fires, the community rebuilt, preserving its history of resilience and unity through shared activities and memories.
At the start of the 20th century, Owendale, Michigan, was a small but thriving community in Michigan’s Thumb. Main Street was the heart of town, lined with businesses like L.C. Durby Hardware, general stores, and bustling grain and lumber yards. Wagons …
Tucked away in Sanilac County in Michigan’s Thumb, the village of Snover offers a window into the rhythms of early 20th-century rural life. These historic images, captured between 1900 and 1910, provide a rare view of a town fueled by agriculture, …
In the summer of 1919, a captured German submarine made headlines across the Great Lakes. UC-97 (often reported as U-97) had been surrendered at war’s end and was brought to the United States for a patriotic bond and recruiting drive. After …
The Hires Condensed Milk Company, established in 1917, processed milk until Nestlé’s 1922 acquisition. After closure in 1953, the site transitioned through various uses, finally undergoing remediation to support new businesses and create 32 jobs, enhancing Cass City’s economy.
The 1881 fire that swept much of Michigan’s Thumb devastated one town. However stories of miraculous events are passed down today.
Port Sanilac, Michigan, once a hub for commercial fishing from the late 19th to mid-20th century, transitioned to recreational fishing by the 1970s due to overfishing and regulatory changes. The town now celebrates its fishing heritage through local museums.
