Michigan Plank Roads Craze Covered the State in The 1800s
In the late 1840s, Michigan experienced a craze of building plank roads. Over 200 companies built over 5000 miles of plank roads.
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 Great Fires of 1871 – The Burning Great Lakes
In Michigan’s Thumb, the situation could not be worse. The prevailing winds brought embers and dense smoke from the other Michigan fires burning in the west. Within hours over 2,000 lives were lost and millions of acres burned.
Fascinating Stories from Ora et Labora Colony Near Bay Port Michigan 1862 – 1898
The Letters from Ora Labora 1862 – 1898. Offers a glimpse of the challenges of being a religious pioneer in Michigan’s Wilderness.
This is a collection of stories written through the years.
Caseville Mystery – Was The Mouth of the Pigeon River an Orchard Before Caseville was Settled?
It’s becoming commonplace. I’m researching something and encountered an entirely new and interesting story I’ve never heard before. In this Caseville mystery, we have a story of a pair of hunters and trappers who stopped to stay near the mouth of …
Is There a Great Lakes Stonehenge Version In Lake Michigan?
Does Michigan have an underwater rock circle from over 10,000 years ago hidden in the Great Lakes?
Actually Michigan has several.
Charity Island History Is Mysterious and Remote
The Charity Island History spans 100’s of years. Today the island is a wildlife sanctuary and visited by only a few people each year. We cover a bit of this mysterious remote island located in the middle of busy Saginaw Bay.
Huron City Michigan – 12 Sites Make Up This Amazing Time Capsule
Huron City Michigan is a historic district and museum with buildings from the 1800s. The town was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. The tiny town is open for tours on Friday and Saturday during July & August.
A Michigan Ghost Town in the Thumb – Port Crescent State Park
Port Crescent State Park, located in southern Michigan, was once a thriving lumber town before becoming a ghost town. Today, it offers outdoor activities and preserves a rich history, including remnants of its past, amid scenic natural beauty along Lake Huron.