On This Day in History

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 »

September has always been a month of transformation and milestones in Northern Michigan. From early explorations and territorial changes to the founding of schools and traditions that still thrive today, this month captures a rich slice of the region’s story. Whether it’s the peaceful transfer of Mackinac Island to American control or the birth of beloved fairs and institutions, September’s history reflects the resilience, innovation, and community spirit that define Northern Michigan. September in Northern Michigan History September 1, 1796 – Mackinac Island becomes part of U.S. On this day, British forces finally evacuated Fort Mackinac after holding it for… Read More »

Going to the Fair, Going to the Fair, Going to the Northwest Michigan Fair Every year, thousands flock to the Northwestern Michigan Fair to enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of Northern Michigan’s agricultural heritage. But how did this beloved event begin? On this day in history, September 29, 1908, the very first official Northwestern Michigan Fair opened its gates. This marked the start of a tradition that has lasted more than a century. The inaugural fair ran from September 29 through October 2, 1908. Admission was priced at just twenty-five cents per day. The first annual premium book featured… Read More »

Nuclear Power Plant Begins Operation When you think of Michigan history, you might not immediately picture a pioneering nuclear power plant or a dramatic military aviation tragedy. But on this day back in 1962, Consumers Power—now Consumers Energy—started up Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant. The plant was Michigan’s first and the nation’s fifth nuclear plant. Nestled near Charlevoix, this plant marked a big step in the state’s energy future. It left a lasting legacy in both power generation and medical technology. Big Rock Point was no small feat. With a boiling water reactor built by General Electric, it could… 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 »

The 1844 Discovery That Built Michigan’s Mining Legacy On September 19, 1844, William Austin Burt and his surveying crew were trekking through the rugged Upper Peninsula wilderness when their compasses began acting strangely. The needles wavered and swung off course and not because of supernatural forces. But because they were standing atop one of the richest deposits of iron ore in North America: the Marquette Iron Range. The following year, the Jackson Mining Company opened the Jackson Mine, and with it, the foundation for the city of Negaunee, Michigan. Before long, Ishpeming followed. While the California Gold Rush of 1848… 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 »

NMC’s First Day of Classes in 1951 On September 17, 1951, a bold dream took flight—quite literally—at Cherry Capital Airport. That morning, 65 students and six staff members gathered in a borrowed, vacant airport terminal for the very first classes at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC). It wasn’t a grand opening in a gleaming new building. It was a grassroots victory for a community determined to bring higher education home to the Grand Traverse region. “In every way, the Northwestern Michigan College is a people’s college,” declared the Traverse City Record-Eagle on opening day. And it truly was. Born out of… Read More »