Videos

Gladstone Michigan History – Industry, Railroads, and Life Along the Bay – Video

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Michael Hardy

At the northern edge of Little Bay de Noc stands Gladstone, Michigan. This small Upper Peninsula town played a much

Interurban Services in Michigan – 1900s Electric Vechicles Kept Small Towns Going – Video

Posted on June 10, 2025October 5, 2025 by Michael Hardy

Before automobiles, Michigan’s interurban electric railways addressed transportation challenges in small towns, offering reliable, affordable travel and freight services, thus connecting communities, enhancing local economies, and transforming daily life until the rise of cars in the 1920s.

Attica Michigan History – 8 Rare Photos That Tell a Forgotten Story – Video

Posted on June 10, 2025June 10, 2025 by Michael Hardy

Attica, Michigan, founded in 1851 around a sawmill, grew with the arrival of the railroad. The town developed modestly, fostering community life, where logging and lakeside recreation shaped its lasting identity despite economic challenges.

Clio Michigan 1900-1930 – Transition From Steam Whistles to Storefronts – Video

Posted on May 31, 2025June 13, 2025 by Michael Hardy

Clio, Michigan transformed from a farming outpost to an industrial hub in the early 20th century, marked by a vital railroad, local trade, and evolving community institutions, reflecting its enduring spirit and history.

5 Forgotten Michigan Coal Towns – A Great Lakes Mining Story

Posted on May 27, 2025June 13, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Michigan discovered coal near Jackson in the 1830s. Further north coal operations started near Saginaw in the 1850s. Peaking during WWI, Sebewaing had coal mining operations up until the early 1900’s. The last coal mine was closed in 1952.

Celebrating Elkton Michigan History – Photos and Moments That Shaped a Small Town’s Identity – Video

Posted on May 24, 2025June 25, 2026 by Michael Hardy

In the late 1800s, Elkton, Michigan, emerged as a frontier village, thriving on agriculture and the railroad. Post-fire in 1930, the community rebuilt its school, showcasing resilience. Elkton symbolizes small-town life shaped by farming, local businesses, and social events.

A Day in the Life of Capac Michigan 1912 – Video

Posted on May 22, 2025May 22, 2025 by Michael Hardy

Step back to 1912 Michigan! Our new 3-minute mini-documentary takes you to historic Capac Michigan – from the grand Palmer

Port Austin’s Roadside Cabins – A Rustic Lakeshore Journey (1930s–1960s) – Video

Posted on May 19, 2025June 16, 2025 by Michael Hardy

Michigan’s first Scenic Highway, M-25, established in 1940, became a symbol of mid-20th-century family road trips, featuring cozy cabin courts providing affordable lodging and local hospitality, enhancing the adventure of exploring the Thumb region.

Burnt Cabin Point Resort (Eagle Bay, Michigan) – The Thumb’s Vanished Northern Landmark – Video

Posted on May 18, 2025June 16, 2025 by Michael Hardy

We have dropped in to the Eagle Bay kayak launch many times while travelling to Grindstone City to have lunch

When the Train Stopped and the Mills Ran: Life in Columbiaville Michigan History Circa 1900 – Video

Posted on May 16, 2025July 6, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Columbiaville, a modest village along the Flint River, thrived on industry and community. Centered around the woolen mill and a vibrant Main Street, it fostered connection through work, gathering spaces, and cherished traditions amidst peaceful surroundings.