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.

Pigeon Michigan Amusement Parlor c1900

Posted on July 1, 2020March 10, 2026 by Paul Austin

This picture of a street scene in Pigeon, Michigan is thought to be taken right around 1900. The amusement parlor

Then and Now – Platts Drugstore Port Sanilac

Posted on June 27, 2020March 30, 2023 by Michael Hardy

This historical Drugstore is deemed as being Michigan’s longest family owned continuously operating pharmacy in Michigan. It stands today as a boutique shop in Port Sanilac.

Two Views of Cass City in 1930 & 2020 – A Amazing Transition of Time

Posted on June 2, 2020March 10, 2026 by Malcom Mott

f Cass City Road in Cass City has stayed somewhat unchanged for the past 90 years. Some of the buildings remain, many have been remodeled. However, the ornate trim and front facades and balconies are long gone.

Kinde Michigan Grain Elevators and Depot

Posted on May 28, 2020March 10, 2026 by Malcom Mott

Kinde was once renowned as the “Bean Capital of the World“. Michigan white navy bean soup has been a staple for over one hundred years in the U.S. Senate dining room in the form of Senate bean soup

The Pier Based Coast Guard Station Harbor Beach

Posted on May 13, 2020November 29, 2024 by Malcom Mott

The Coast Guard Station at Harbor Beach, originally built in 1910 and relocated in 1935, served as a training facility during WWII before closing in 1987. Despite preservation efforts, the station was demolished in 2004. It played a significant role in the Great Lakes waterway system and local maritime history.

Sebewaing Railway Depot – The Historical Center of the Western Thumb

Posted on May 4, 2020June 15, 2022 by Michael Hardy

While neglected, with broken windows, faded peeling paint and vines almost covering one end, this historic depot helped make the region an economic powerhouse for the eastern shore of the Thumb for decades

The Lumbering Era in Caseville, Michigan – River Hogs Conquer The Spring Log Run

Posted on April 28, 2020March 10, 2026 by Malcom Mott

In spring, the winter logging operations ended, and the long run to the sawmill began. In this picture, two men, called River Hogs, worked to keep the logs moving along the Pigeon River to the sawmill in Caseville. The work took skill and was dangerous. River Hogs were paid up to $3.50 per day.

The Last Time A Michigan Governor Shutdown the State Due to a Pandemic

Posted on March 26, 2020November 15, 2021 by Michael Hardy

Gretchen Whitmer’s order to “Stay Home, Stay Safe” is a Michigan shutdown of the nonessential business due to the coronavirus outbreak. This was done once before by Michigan governor Albert Sleeper in October 1918.