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.

Stunning Hotel Ojibway Sault Ste Marie – A 1938 Look at One of Michigan’s Grand Hotels

Posted on June 26, 2026July 5, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Step back to 1938 and visit one of Michigan’s most iconic historic hotels. This Michigan Moments video showcases the Hotel Ojibway in downtown Sault Ste. Marie during its golden age, when tourists, elegant automobiles, and Great Lakes travelers filled its front entrance. Learn about the hotel’s rich history, its connection to the Soo Locks, and the enduring legend of Room 616 that continues to intrigue visitors today.

Elkton, Michigan 1940 – The Day the Star Theater Welcomed Hollywood

Posted on June 25, 2026July 5, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Watch this Michigan Moments episode as we travel back to downtown Elkton, Michigan, in 1940, when a single photograph captured

History of Deford Michigan: How a Small Railroad Stop Became a Busy Farm Community

Posted on June 25, 2026July 5, 2026 by Michael Hardy

The History of Deford Michigan comes alive through rare early 1900s photos showing the depot, Bruce Block, post office, hotel, school, grain elevator and Standard Condensed Milk Co. plant. Together, they show how a small Tuscola County town became a working farm and rail hub.

Michigan Ghost Towns – 18 Lost Towns That Tell The State’s Strangest History

Posted on June 24, 2026July 9, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Michigan ghost towns offer a glimpse into the state’s boom-and-bust past. From mining camps and lumber ports to company towns and abandoned villages, these 17 lost communities reveal how industries, railroads and changing economies shaped Michigan’s history and left lasting stories behind.

History of Leslie Michigan: The Rail Town That Refused to Fade

Posted on June 22, 2026June 22, 2026 by Paul Austin

The History of Leslie Michigan reveals a town shaped by transportation change. Railroads, interurban lines, and automobiles each played a role. While many communities declined after these shifts, Leslie adapted, maintaining its structure, economy, and identity through steady change.

9 Rare Postcards of the Pere Marquette Docks Show How Arcadia Served The Great Lakes In the Early 1900s

Posted on June 21, 2026June 21, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Arcadia’s Pere Marquette docks once linked steamers, rail lines, lumber yards and furniture shipments. The small Manistee County harbor became a busy transfer point where Great Lakes commerce met village life in the early 1900s, before roads and trucks changed how the town moved goods.

Traverse Regional History Center Looks to Reimagine How Northwest Michigan Tells Its Story

Posted on June 20, 2026June 20, 2026 by Michael Hardy

The Traverse Regional History Center is taking a different approach to preserving local history. Rather than focusing on artifact collections, the organization is building a regional resource dedicated to storytelling, education, and digital engagement.

History of Crystal Falls Michigan – 10 Stunning Photos From Its Iron Mining Past (1900–1949)

Posted on June 20, 2026June 21, 2026 by Paul Austin

Crystal Falls Michigan rose on iron ore, railroads, and hydroelectric power. These rare photos and stories reveal how the Upper Peninsula town survived boom years, deadly mine collapses, the Great Depression, and WWII.

History of Acme Michigan – A Remarkable 170 Year Legacy From Mill Creek to World Class Resort

Posted on June 19, 2026July 8, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Acme, Michigan, began as a creek-powered mill town east of Traverse City, then shifted to farms, schoolhouses, roadside diners and resort travel. Its story shows how a Grand Traverse Bay community changed without losing its old outline.

History of Camp Jeannette Waterford Michigan – The Boys’ Camp Behind a Detroit Charity Scandal

Posted on June 14, 2026June 20, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Camp Jeannette in Waterford, Michigan, gave Detroit boys two weeks on Lester Lake. The Good Samaritans charity promoted free summer stays, but later faced criminal allegations, tax trouble and bankruptcy. The result is a camp story with both warmth and warning.