Eastern Upper Peninsula

The Schoolhouse Lighthouse of the Straits of Mackinac Perched on the west shore of Round Island, the Round Island Light—also known as the Old Round Island Point Lighthouse—stands watch over one of the busiest and most treacherous waterways in the Great Lakes. Located directly in the shipping lanes of the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet, this lighthouse has long played a critical role. It guides vessels safely through the narrow passage. With ferries passing nearby on their way to and from Mackinac Island, the light remains a familiar and beloved landmark of Northern Michigan. A… Read More »

Guardian of the St. Marys River Point Iroquois Light sits high on a bluff in Chippewa County, quietly watching over one of the most important waterways in the Great Lakes. It marks the division between Whitefish Bay and the western end of the St. Marys River. For more than a century, this lighthouse has guided vessels traveling between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. Today, its story blends Native history, early European exploration, and the evolution of Great Lakes navigation. A Place Steeped in Early History Point Iroquois refers not only to the lighthouse but also to a broader… Read More »

A Quiet Guardian at the Gateway to the St. Marys River Tucked into the busy shipping corridor of the St. Marys River, Pipe Island Light has quietly guided freighters and vessels for well over a century. While rarely seen by the public and now privately owned, this modest lighthouse played a crucial role in safely ushering ships between Lake Huron and the river’s narrow DeTour Passage. Its story is one of careful engineering, dedicated keepers, family sacrifice, and maritime history unfolding just offshore. Location and Early Need for a Lighthouse Pipe Island—also historically known as Round Island because of its… Read More »

Guiding Ships Through the Shallows of Northern Lake Huron If you’ve ever explored the waters near the Straits of Mackinac or gazed out toward the Les Cheneaux Islands, you know Northern Lake Huron is both stunning and unpredictable. Hidden just below the surface are shallow reefs that have challenged Great Lakes mariners for over a century. One of the most notorious is Martin Reef—just inches deep in places. That reef is the reason the Martin Reef Light Station came to be. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, this remote white sentinel has helped guide ships safely… Read More »

A Beacon in the DeTour Passage Just offshore from DeTour Village, in the waters where Lake Huron meets the St. Marys River, sits a tiny scrap of land known as Frying Pan Island. Barely more than a rocky bump in the channel, this island has played a surprisingly big role in the maritime history of Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula. Legend has it that Captain William Thorn, the first mariner to navigate the St. Marys River into Lake Superior, was once stranded here waiting out rough winds. When he came ashore, he found a cast-iron frying pan left behind by Native… Read More »

A Key Michigan Lighthouse The DeTour Passage is a vital route to Lake Superior from Lake Huron. Sitting three miles south of DeTour Village, Michigan, the DeTour Reef Light marks this important shipping channel. Nearly all freighters traveling to and from Lake Superior pass through this passage, along with countless recreational boats carefully navigating the shallow DeTour Reef. Early History: From Point DeTour to Offshore Reef The first lighthouse at Point DeTour was built in 1847. It protected mariners from the hazards of the passage. By 1931, the lighthouse was moved offshore atop DeTour Reef on a crib foundation. Constructed… Read More »

Bridging Nations Some landmarks do not just connect places, they connect people, histories, and entire nations. One such landmark opened to traffic on October 31, 1962: the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, linking Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Spanning the St. Marys River, this bridge is more than steel and concrete. It is the only vehicular crossing between Michigan and Ontario for nearly 300 miles. The bridge serves as the northern terminus of Interstate 75 (I-75). In fact, it remains the tenth, busiest passenger crossing on the Canada–U.S. border, making it a vital connection between the… Read More »

Carving Out Michigan’s North On October 26, 1818, Michigan’s map looked very different than it does today. Territorial governor Lewis Cass proclaimed the creation of Michilimackinac County. This was a massive jurisdiction that originally stretched across nearly the entire Upper Peninsula and the northern reaches of the Lower Peninsula. At the time, the Michigan Territory was still young, and leaders were busy shaping its counties out of enormous wilderness tracts. Michilimackinac County was one of the first counties in the territory and reflected the region’s historical importance. Long before its official creation, the Straits of Mackinac area had been a… Read More »

⚡ Powering the Soo When people think of great hydroelectric plants, Niagara often comes to mind. But on this day in history, the spotlight was on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where Francis Clergue unveiled a hydroelectric marvel in Sault Ste. Marie. After four years of construction, the Soo Hydropower Plant was ready to light up the region—and Clergue made sure it opened with a bang. Clergue spared no expense in celebrating his achievement. Spending over $50,000 (a staggering amount at the time) on fireworks, bands, parades, and food, he turned the opening into a spectacle. Invitations went out to state officials,… 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 »

Charting the Unknown On this day in history, September 22, 1688, French explorer Louis-Armand de Lom d’Arce, Baron de Lahontan, set out from Fort Michilimackinac on a daring journey into the uncharted west. His mission? To explore the waterways beyond the Great Lakes and, perhaps, uncover a route to the Pacific. Armed with a detachment of men and five seasoned Ottawa hunters, Lahontan embarked on a voyage that would be remembered for centuries. Partly for its adventurous spirit, partly for its enduring mysteries. From Michilimackinac, his route took him across Lake Michigan, into Green Bay (then called Baie des Puants)…. Read More »

🎡 From 50 Cents to a U.P. Tradition: If there’s one thing the Upper Peninsula knows how to do, it’s throw a fair that celebrates hard work, community pride, and just the right amount of fried food. On September 17, 1928, Escanaba welcomed visitors to the very first Upper Peninsula State Fair. It was a celebration born out of a 1927 law signed by Governor Fred W. Green to promote agriculture and industry in the region. Tickets cost just 50 cents for adults (a bargain even back then) and dropped to 25 cents after 6 p.m. The fair is an… Read More »