On This Day in History

From Authorization to Reality Last month, we highlighted March 3, 1931, as the day Congress authorized the establishment of Isle Royale National Park and the park’s history. But authorization was just the beginning. It wasn’t until April 3, 1940, that President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially designated Isle Royale as a national park. Why the delay? Like many things in government, the process was anything but simple. After Congress authorized the park, the government had to define its boundaries, acquire land, and put the necessary infrastructure in place. This took time, especially considering Isle Royale’s remote location and the interests of… 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 »

March has seen some pivotal moments in Michigan’s history—shaping its landscapes, industries, and communities. Let’s take a journey through the noteworthy events that happened on this day in history throughout March. March in Northern Michigan History March 3, 1875 Just three years after Yellowstone became the first national park, Congress designated Mackinac Island as the nation’s second national park. When the military departed 20 years later, the park was transferred to the state, becoming Michigan’s first state park. March 3, 1931 Recognizing its rugged beauty and rich history, Congress authorized the establishment of Isle Royale National Park. By the early… Read More »

March 30, 1977, marked a turning point for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. On this day, the U.S. Air Force announced that Kincheloe Air Force Base near Sault Ste. Marie would be closing, transferring its personnel and equipment elsewhere. For Chippewa, Mackinac, and Luce counties, this was more than just a military decision—it was an economic gut punch. With an annual payroll of $36 million, the base had long been the lifeblood of the region. Local officials, including Governor Bill Milliken, scrambled to reverse the decision, but the Pentagon had made up its mind. How it Began Kincheloe’s story began in 1941,… Read More »

Michigan’s Legacy of Protecting Natural Resources On March 30, 1921, Michigan took a major step forward in the management and protection of its natural resources. The Michigan Legislature officially created the Department of Conservation, bringing together various agencies that had previously overseen forests, parks, fish, and wildlife. This move laid the foundation for what would later become the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Birth of Conservation in Michigan Before 1921, Michigan’s natural resources were managed by an assortment of commissions and officials, including the State Geological Survey, the Game and Fish Warden, and the Michigan Forestry Commission. While… Read More »

Rolling Into History March 29, 2013, was a big day—literally—for Michigan Technological University. On that chilly spring day, a group of determined students took to the softball field with a singular mission: reclaim their Guinness World Record for the largest snowball ever made. With 30 students rolling in unison and help from professional surveyors, they spent two and a half grueling hours crafting a giant snowball that would go down in history. When the final measurements were taken, the giant snowball stood at an impressive 32.94 feet in circumference, 10.45 feet in diameter, and 9.28 feet tall. Estimates put its… Read More »

1836 Treaty of Washington A significant agreement was signed in Washington, D.C. on March 28, 1836. The agreement was between the United States and several Anishinaabe leaders from Michigan. The Treaty of Washington resulted in the cession of over one-third of Michigan’s land. This spanned the eastern Upper Peninsula and much of the northwestern Lower Peninsula. In return, the tribes retained their rights to hunt and fish on the lands and waters they had called home for generations. The impact of this treaty would be felt for over a century. In the 1960s, Michigan imposed strict regulations on commercial fishing,… 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 Stage for the Ages On this day in history, March 20, 1900, the Calumet Theatre opened its doors to an eager audience. The first show was a touring Broadway production of The Highwayman by Reginald DeKoven and Harry B. Smith. It was a momentous occasion for the village of Calumet, a community built on copper and ambition. As the first municipally built theater in the country, the Calumet Theatre was more than just a venue; it was a declaration that this mining town could rival the cultural sophistication of major cities. At the turn of the 20th century, Calumet was… Read More »

Michigan’s Copper Country Boomtown Houghton County, nestled in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, has a history as rich as the copper veins. Those veins once made it a national mining powerhouse. From its earliest settlers in the 1840s to its booming copper industry after the Civil War, this county played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s economy and culture. The Rise of Copper Country On March 19, 1845 Houghton County was organized. Named after Douglass Houghton, Michigan’s first state geologist, the county quickly grew into the heart of the Copper Country. By the 1870s, the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company was… Read More »

The Short-Lived County Name That Didn’t Stick March 19, 1863, the people of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula successfully petitioned to rename Bleeker County to Menominee County. If you’ve never heard of Bleeker County, you’re not alone. The county only existed for two years and four days before locals decided they weren’t too fond of the name. Menominee County (/məˈnɒməni/ mə-NAH-mə-nee) is a county located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,502. The county seat is Menominee. Bleeker County to Menominee County Originally created in 1861 from part of Delta County, Bleeker County was officially organized… Read More »