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The Portage Lake Lift Bridge, officially known as the Houghton–Hancock Bridge, is a pivotal structure connecting the cities of Hancock and Houghton in Michigan. Spanning Portage Lake, part of a waterway that cuts across the Keweenaw Peninsula and links with Lake Superior, this bridge is a critical infrastructure piece for the region. US Highway 41 and M-26 both traverse this bridge, making it the only land-based connection between the northern part of the peninsula, known as Copper Island, and the southern section. In recognition of its engineering and historical significance, the bridge was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark… Read More »

Andrew Jackson Blackbird/Makade-Binisii (c. 1815/21 – 17 September 1908) Andrew Blackbird was a key figure in the history of the Odawa (Ottawa) tribe. As a leader and historian, he made significant contributions, including his 1887 book, “History of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan.” He also held the distinction of being the last chief of the Ottawa and the first postmaster of Harbor Springs. Early Life Andrew Blackbird was the youngest of ten children, born in the L’Arbre Croche area of Michigan, which is now known as Harbor Springs. The exact year of his birth is debated, with estimates… Read More »

The Ardis Furnace, an abandoned experimental blast furnace, is located at the northeast corner of Aragon and Antoine Streets in Iron Mountain, Michigan. This historic site, accessible from US-2, was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1971 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The furnace, built in 1908 by local resident John T. Jones, was a massive metal tube, 120 feet long and 8 feet in diameter, lined with firebrick and set at a slight incline. Held in place by a series of concrete supports, the tube was rotated with an electric motor to… Read More »