Archives

On October 7, 2000, Thunder Bay made waves in history when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officially designated it as the first National Marine Sanctuary in the Great Lakes and 13th in the nation. Known as “Shipwreck Alley,” this stretch of Lake Huron off Alpena, Michigan, has claimed hundreds of vessels over the past two centuries—some lost to fierce storms, others to heavy fog, rocky shoals, or Thunder Bay Island itself. What was once a mariner’s nightmare is now a diver’s dream and a historian’s treasure chest. 116 Shipwrecks Thunder Bay’s reputation for danger began early. Its location… Read More »

On October 15, 1966, Congress designated this area as a National Lakeshore, making Pictured Rocks the very first in the nation. It wasn’t formally established as a unit of the National Park System until October 6, 1972. This stunning stretch of Michigan wilderness, with its towering sandstone cliffs painted in vibrant mineral hues, pristine beaches, waterfalls, and old-growth forests, was officially recognized as a place worth protecting forever. Humans have called this area home for more than 10,000 years. The Anishinaabe people, the original inhabitants, continue to live on and care for the land. They carried forward deep traditions tied… Read More »

On October 6, 1969, the world lost Walter Hagen—a man who didn’t just play golf, he redefined it. Known as the “father of professional golf,” Hagen’s story was one part athletic brilliance, one part champagne-soaked legend. He was the first athlete to earn over a million dollars playing a sport. Whether he was raising a club or a glass, he made sure people remembered it. Born in 1892 in Rochester, New York, Hagen burst onto the golf scene by winning the U.S. Open in 1914. He won it again in 1919. But he truly made history in 1922 when he… Read More »

On this day in history, Stevens T. Mason was elected the State of Michigan’s first state governor at the age of 23. He is remembered as the “Boy Governor,” Stevens T. Mason’s remarkable political story started when he was appointed acting territorial secretary at just 19 years old by President Andrew Jackson. His youth, determination, and ambition made him a defining figure in Michigan’s journey from territory to statehood. Politics In His Blood Born in 1811, Mason had politics in his blood. His father, John Mason, was appointed territorial secretary by Jackson. When Jackson sent the elder Mason to Mexico… Read More »

On October 3, 1980, the romantic fantasy film Somewhere in Time opened in theaters nationwide. Though the critics may not have loved it, moviegoers and Mackinac Island fans certainly did. Over the years, this movie has transformed from a modest box office release into a beloved cult classic—with Mackinac Island at the heart of its story. Filming took place at the iconic Grand Hotel and the Mission Point Fine Arts building, once part of Mackinac College and now the Mission Point Resort. A few scenes were also shot in Chicago, but Mackinac Island truly steals the show, with its timeless… Read More »