Michigan Grave Robbers Brazenly Operated During the 1800s
Grave robbing was a gruesome yet common crime in the late 1800’s as medical schools sought bodys for study.
Tag: Michigan History
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.
The Secret History of Tower Beach Amusement Park, Sylvan Lake (1890–1940)
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)
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
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.
Summer History of Saugatuck Michigan – 5 Defining Years That Turned a Lumber Town Into a Summer Powerhouse
Saugatuck, Michigan reinvented itself in the early 1900s, trading sawmills for steamships, dance halls, and beach tourism. This is how a small harbor town became a Midwest summer destination.
Michigan Commercial Fishing – 10 Powerful Towns That Built a Freshwater Empire, 1890–1940
Before marinas and beach towns, Michigan’s Great Lakes ports were working fishing hubs. From Bay Port to Leland, these towns fed the Midwest and shaped life along the water from 1890 to 1940.
History of Au Gres, Michigan – From Rich Native Lands to Charming Tourist Town (1890-1940)
The history of Au Gres, Michigan unfolds through rare photos and vivid storytelling. From Native fishing camps to sawmills and steamboats, this lakeside town’s past is rich with change, work, and water.
History of White Rock Michigan – Remarkable Reasons the “Lost” Lake Huron Resort Still Matters (1807-1930)
White Rock once helped define a treaty boundary, then tried to become a Lake Huron resort with hotels and a ballroom. Fires, winters and shifting travel routes changed it—but the story still holds.