Northwest Lower Peninsula

From Black Lake to Grand Traverse Bay Chief Peter Waukazoo led his band of Ottawa Indians on a remarkable journey northward. From the shores of Black Lake (now Lake Macatawa) near Holland, Michigan, to the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. There they would found a new village called Waukazooville. This community would eventually be annexed into what we now know as Northport. The story of the Waukazoo band spans decades of adaptation, cultural preservation, and spiritual exploration. In the early 1830s, their village of about 300 people sat along the Black River. They balanced traditional ways with the pressures and… Read More »

Celebrating a Michigan Treasure There are few names as beloved in Michigan’s artistic and literary circles as Gwen Frostic. And on May 23, 1978, that admiration was made official when Governor William Milliken declared it Gwen Frostic Day across the state. The designation celebrated not only her incredible linocut block prints and poetic musings but also her deep love for Michigan’s natural beauty. Born April 26, 1906, in Sandusky, Michigan, Sara Gwendolen Frostic lived a remarkable life that fused creativity, resilience, and nature. Despite facing physical challenges due to a childhood illness, Gwen’s spirit and determination shaped her into one… Read More »

A Mysterious Disaster That Shook Northern Michigan On April 19, 1973, the quiet, rural community of Williamsburg, located just a few miles from Traverse City in Northern Michigan, was suddenly thrust into a nightmare. Hundreds of craters and geysers erupted without warning, turning the peaceful village into a dangerous disaster zone. The eruption, caused by a natural gas leak from a nearby drilling operation, forced the evacuation of most of the town’s 450 residents, leaving them displaced for months. The aftermath of the event not only changed the lives of the people who lived there but also set the stage… Read More »

Wexford County’s Decade-Long Fight for the County Seat The Battle of Manton, fought on April 5, 1882, was the dramatic conclusion to a decade-long struggle for Wexford County’s seat of government. It all started in 1881 when Manton became the county seat due to a compromise between Cadillac and Sherman, two neighboring towns that had fought bitterly over the honor. However, Cadillac residents were not ready to let go of their aspirations. In a county-wide vote on April 4, 1882, Cadillac triumphed, securing the coveted seat by a wide margin. This marked the beginning of the infamous Battle of Manton…. Read More »

A Bold Experiment That Paid Off On April 2, 1966, a golden bucket full of coho salmon was ceremoniously poured into the Platte River in Benzie County, Michigan. It may have seemed like an ordinary wildlife release, but this moment marked the beginning of one of the most ambitious and successful fishery experiments in history. Howard Tanner, the Michigan Department of Conservation’s new fish chief, had a bold vision: introduce salmon to the Great Lakes to control invasive alewives and create a thriving sport fishery. What followed was nothing short of spectacular. Michigan Outdoors did an episode about the salmon… Read More »

William Grawn Milliken born in Traverse City On this day in history, March 26, 1922, William Grawn Milliken was born in Traverse City. A man of integrity, civility, and dedication to public service, Milliken left an enduring mark on the state. He served as Michigan’s longest-tenured governor from 1969 to 1983. His leadership spanned a transformative period in Michigan’s history. He navigated economic challenges, environmental reforms, and shifting political landscapes. Path to Politics Milliken’s path to politics was deeply rooted in his family’s legacy. His father, James T Milliken, was a mayor of Traverse City as well as a Michigan… Read More »

March 22, 1878 On this day in 1878, one of the final mass nestings of the passenger pigeon took place near Petoskey, Michigan. Once numbering in the billions, these birds were a dominant presence in North America. They would darken the skies for hours as their flocks passed overhead. Early explorers and settlers frequently marveled at their abundance. Samuel de Champlain in 1605 described “countless numbers” and Cotton Mather witnessed a flight that took hours to pass. But by the late 19th century, relentless hunting and habitat destruction had pushed them to the brink of extinction. Petoskey Nesting The Petoskey… Read More »

A History of Names, Settlers, and Struggles On this day in history, April 1, 1840, Michigan’s legislature created what was originally called Tonedagana County, later renamed Emmet County in 1843. From its deep Odawa roots to a brief period under Mormon rule, Emmet County’s past is filled with fascinating twists. Emmet County, one of Michigan’s northernmost counties, has a history as rich as its scenic landscapes. From its early days as an Odawa stronghold to its brief time under Mormon rule, the county has seen its fair share of change, controversy, and resilience. From Tonedagana to Emmet On April 1,… Read More »

Once upon a time, Michigan had a county that no longer exists on the map: Manitou County. This fascinating “ghost county” came into existence in 1855, encompassing Beaver Island, the Fox Islands, and the North and South Manitou Islands in Lake Michigan. Its county seat, St. James, was nestled on Beaver Island, where the story of Manitou County intersects with an enigmatic figure: James Jesse Strang. The Curious Creation of Manitou County Manitou County owes its name, likely, to Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, the man behind the poetic naming of many Michigan counties. Schoolcraft had a penchant for weaving Native American-inspired… Read More »

From Small-Town Michigan to Grammy Glory In the picturesque town of Frankfort, just 40 miles west of Traverse City, something extraordinary happened on February 10, 2013. The usually tranquil community of about 1,200 residents buzzed with excitement. One of their own, Andrew Dost, was up for six Grammys with his band, Fun. The momentous occasion was celebrated with a red-carpet event at the Garden Theatre. Locals gathered to cheer on the hometown hero and his bandmates, Nate Ruess and Jack Antonoff, as they vied for music’s most prestigious awards. The Garden Theatre turned into the epicenter of celebration that evening…. Read More »

Grace Gilbert, born in 1876, gained fame as a circus performer known as ‘The Female Esau.’ From Ohio roots to Kalkaska, Michigan, her story is one of resilience, fame, and love in an era of curiosity and spectacle. The Captivating Story of Grace Gilbert In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, circuses were the height of entertainment, often showcasing “curiosities” to attract audiences. One of the most fascinating figures of the era was Grace Gilbert, born in Ohio in 1876 and later a Kalkaska resident. Grace, with her extraordinary hair growth, captivated the world as one of the first… Read More »

The Snowshoe Priest When you think of the rugged landscapes of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the image of a Slovenian priest trekking through snow-covered forests on snowshoes might not be the first thing that comes to mind. For 37 years, Frederic Baraga, fondly known as the “Snowshoe Priest”, dedicated his life to the spiritual and cultural enrichment of the Ottawa and Chippewa tribes. He also ministered to the immigrant communities of the region. His story is one of resilience, faith, and a relentless commitment to his mission. He earned the title “Apostle of the Lakelands” and, in recent years, the honor… Read More »