History of Chesaning Michigan – Big Rock Beginnings
Chesaning grew along the Shiawassee with mills, farms, rail service, and Main Street parades. See how a Chippewa place-name and early industry shaped a Michigan river town between 1900 and 1930.
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.
History of Saginaw Michigan – 9 Essential Turning Points That Built a Proud River City – Video
See how a river, a merger, and a shift from lumber to factories shaped Saginaw, Michigan. Bridges, phones, and the Hoyt Library mark a city learning new trades—and planning for the next season.
History of Bay City Michigan – Streetcars, Sugar, and Shipwrights: A Very Busy River Town – Video
Bay City’s story runs with the Saginaw River. After lumber waned, shipyards, cranes, sugar, and catalog homes drove growth. Fires reshaped downtown. Wenonah Park became the front door on the water.
Lakeville Michigan History – Early Days of Resorts, Camps, and Cottage Life (1880-1940) – Video
Lakeville Michigan history unfolds through rare photos. See how this Oakland County village shifted from mills to summer cottages, Echo Grove Camp, and lakeside tourism.
History of Birch Run – An Impressive Tale When Rails and Commerce Ruled Main Street – Video
In the early 1900s, Birch Run, Michigan, transformed from a quiet rail stop into a bustling small town. The Pere Marquette line, interurban railway, and Main Street merchants powered its rise.
History of Emmett Michigan – 7 Powerful Stories That Shaped a Small Town – Video
Explore the history of Emmett, Michigan — a railroad village born in the 1850s and shaped by faith, farming, and the Grand Trunk Railway. Discover how this small town grew into a symbol of rural Michigan life.
The Wallace Mill – The Sturdy Sentinal of Grindstone City – Video
The Wallace Roller Mill was built in 1887 on the shore of Lake Huron. The mill was the first in the area to diversify from grindstone quarry and milling operations.
The stone structure stands today providing four vacation condos.
The Grindstone City Quarry – How this little town sharpened the world – Video
The Grindstone City Quarry powered a small Michigan town that shipped grindstones across the world. This straight-ahead story explains how it grew, why demand collapsed, and what visitors can still see on Lake Huron. A sharp look at a boom and a bust.