Eastern Upper Peninsula

The Two Hearted River Coast Guard Station is a historical site. It is located along the Two Hearted River on the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The station is part of the United States Coast Guard’s history. The station was established to provide life-saving services and maritime assistance. The Two Hearted River Coast Guard Station was once responsible for responding to distress calls, and providing assistance and rescue services to mariners and vessels in distress, particularly in the often challenging waters of the Great Lakes. These stations played a critical role in ensuring the safety of sailors… Read More »

Come along with Northern Michigan History in our enthralling 5-part series as we delve into the enigmatic world of the most haunted locales in Northern Michigan. Our third installment guides us to the Eastern Upper Peninsula, where we unravel stories of a mysterious death that may have concealed murder, tales of witches, brave soldiers, and a once-infamous brothel. The Eastern Upper Peninsula certainly has its share of haunting stories to share! Mackinac Island Mission Point Resort: The resort is rumored to have a ghost that comes for an occasional visit. It is believed to be a college student named Harvey… Read More »

We wrote about the Michigan Car Ferry System that primarily took cars across the Straits of Mackinac last week. While researching those ferries we discovered that there were ferries that transported railcars. We touched on it a little last week with the Chief WaWatam that would transport the railcars across the Straits.  Michigan State Car Ferries, also known as the “Michigan State Railways,” had a significant role in the transportation history of the Great Lakes region. Operating primarily during the early to mid-20th century, these ferries were responsible for transporting railroad cars across Lake Michigan between Michigan and Wisconsin. The… Read More »

I have a picture hanging in my dining room of the Mackinac Bridge being built. This picture has always fascinated me. Every time I look at it, I discover something new. A friend was visiting on their way to Mackinac Island and we got talking about the bridge and the ferries before the bridge. I wanted to learn more about the ferries that would transport people and their cars across the Straits of Mackinac. I knew they existed but beyond that I did not know anything about the ferries. After all, the bridge opened a couple of years before I… Read More »

The Jail and Sheriff’s Residence in Newberry, Michigan is a historic building that was constructed in 1894. It was originally built as a correctional facility and government building. The courthouse was constructed 4 years before in 1890. The courthouse was designed in an elaborate Victorian style. The Luce County Jail was designed as a counterpoint to the courthouse. The building served as the county jail and the residence of the sheriff and his family for over 70 years. In 1975 the courthouse was torn down, the jail was headed for the same fate. The Luce County Historical Society rescued the… Read More »

Ever wonder how Fudge became a staple Up North? Atlantic City is known for Saltwater Taffy, Maine for Lobster and New Orleans for Beignets. Many tourist areas have their own specialty that you have to try when you visit and take some home for later. Northern Michigan is known for many things, the views, pasties, the dunes, wine, craft beer, and so much more. There is one common treat found in almost every town up north and that is fudge. You will find many local candy/fudge shops where you can watch the fudge being made, enjoy a sample, and buy… Read More »

The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are operated and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer. The name came from Father Jacques Marquette, a French Jesuit missionary. With this name Father Marquette was honoring Sainte Marie, a nod to Mary, mother of Jesus. Sainte is the feminine version of Saint. In an older version of French, sault translates to rapids. Father Marquette was naming the town of the geographical feature of the area: the rapids of Saint Mary. They are a set of parallel locks that make ships travelling between Lake Superior and Lower… Read More »

Did you know that there was a gold rush in Northern Michigan in the late 19th century? Gold was left throughout the state waterways when the glaciers moved across the entire state during the last ice age. Small amounts of gold can be found in just about any creek or river in Michigan. According to the US Forest Service, gold has been found in over 100 places in Michigan. Gold has been found in the Manistee, Au Sable, Flat, Little Sable, Rapid, Yellow Dog and other rivers and on countless Great Lakes beaches. Rivers and lakes are not the only… Read More »

Join Northern Michigan History in our 5 part series as we explore the most haunted places in northern Michigan. This third part in our series visits the Eastern Upper Peninsula. This area includes a suicide that may have been a murder, witches, soldiers and a brothel. The Eastern Upper Peninsula did not disappoint! Mackinac Island Mission Point Resort – The resort is rumored to have a ghost that comes for an occasional visit. It is believed to be a college student name Harvey who died behind the resort in the late 60s. It was reported that he shot himself because… Read More »

Last week we published an article about the Zeba Indian United Methodist Church and that it started in Sault Ste. Marie. This week we are going to talk about how it started. John Sunday and Rev. John Clark Before heading west to start the Missionary in Zeba John Sunday, a Methodist Native American Preacher from Canada, began mission work in the Native American settlement at the Sault Ste. Marie Rapids. In 1832 Rev. John Clark, heard of the movement at the ‘Soo’ and decided to work there. He would later follow John Sunday west. In the spring of 1833, Clark… Read More »