Michigan Ghost Towns: A Guide to the State’s Abandoned Industrial Settlements
Between 1845 and 1880, the Keweenaw Peninsula produced more copper than any other region in the world, yet today many of the towns that fueled this…
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 Sandusky Michigan – 9 Remarkable Changes That Built a Thumb City
Historic photographs trace Sandusky, Michigan, from its lumber-era roots into a busy county seat shaped by railroads, agriculture and local commerce. The account follows two depots, grain elevators, downtown hotels, the 1915 courthouse fire and the unusual Practical Institute of Pharmacy class photographed in 1929.
Tracing Caseville History: A Guide to Huron County’s Industrial Roots
In the late 1800s, Caseville’s salt wells produced up to 50,000 barrels annually, a massive output that fueled the rapid growth of this Saginaw Bay…
Michigan Upper Peninsula Ghost Towns: A Travel Map and Historical Guide
Imagine standing in the middle of a silent street where, a century ago, the air hummed with the roar of iron furnaces and the shouts of copper…
Iron Mountain Prohibition: 14 Wine Barrels Meet the Gutter
A crowd gathered on East Ludington Street in April 1928 as Iron Mountain and state police emptied 14 barrels containing more than 850 gallons of confiscated wine.
Wacousta Michigan History: Life Along the Looking Glass River (1900–1950)
Historic photographs show how the Looking Glass River, local mills, churches, schools and small businesses shaped life in Wacousta, Michigan.
The Gentle History of Hubbardston Michigan – The Mill Town That Missed the Railroad (1837-1950)
Hubbardston rose on mills, timber and Irish settlement, then stalled when promised railroad tracks never arrived. Its grist mill, church and Fish Creek bridge still explain the town’s unusual path.
Pontiac’s War in Michigan – Detroit Under Siege, a Lacrosse Ruse, and the 1763 Proclamation – Podcast
In 1763, Pontiac’s War ignited across Michigan and the Great Lakes. This was no ordinary rebellion — it was a coordinated Indigenous resistance that forced the British Empire to change its policies forever.
History of Alma Michigan – Early 20th Century Industrial and WWI Powerhouse – Video
How did a small Midwestern town supply sugar, trucks, and food to help win the Great War? Discover the remarkable history of Alma, Michigan’s industrial boom and its unsung contributions to World War I. Hear the stories of factory workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs who proved that even the smallest town could make a big difference.
Kalkaska Fire of 1908: How Downtown Rose From the Ashes
A wind-driven fire swept through downtown Kalkaska on July 5, 1908, destroying major businesses and forcing the village to rebuild with safer brick buildings.