Northern Michigan has a rich and fascinating history, and May has seen its fair share of momentous events. From groundbreaking legal changes to major explorations and historic shipwrecks, these stories offer a glimpse into the past of the Great Lakes State. Here are some key events that happened in Michigan on this day in May.
May 1, 1918 – Michigan Voters Approve Prohibition
On this day in history, May 1, 1918, Michigan officially went dry—two years before national prohibition took effect. But banning alcohol didn’t mean people stopped drinking. Instead, speakeasies flourished and bootlegging became big business. Detroit turned into a smuggler’s paradise, with liquor flowing across the river from Canada. From organized crime to underground bars, Michigan’s prohibition era was anything but quiet. 🍾💰
May 2, 1933 – Michigan’s First Civilian Conservation Corps Facility Established
Two hundred young men from Detroit arrived in Chippewa County to establish Camp Raco. This camp was Michigan’s very first Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) facility. This marked the beginning of a transformative era in Michigan’s conservation history. From fighting wildfires on Isle Royale to building bridges, parks, trout ponds, and even a miniature Michigan made of ponds, CCC workers left a legacy that still shapes our forests, parks, and natural resources today.
May 4, 1846 – Michigan Ends the Death Penalty
Michigan made global headlines by becoming the first English-speaking government to abolish the death penalty for all crimes except treason. This bold and compassionate decision set a powerful precedent for criminal justice reform that still resonates today. Explores the events leading up to this landmark moment, including the dramatic final execution in territorial Michigan and the leaders who helped shape a more humane justice system. It’s a fascinating look at how one state’s courage sparked a national conversation.
May 13, 1899 – The Schooner Nelson Sinks
Lake Superior has never been short on mystery or tragedy. On May 13, 1899, the 199-foot schooner Nelson sank near Grand Marais, Michigan, during a fierce gale. The entire crew, including Captain Andrew Haganey’s wife and infant child, was lost. Miraculously, Haganey survived—only to live with the memory of his ship and family taken by the waves. The wreck remained hidden for over a century until the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society found it in 2014, astonishingly intact in over 200 feet of water.
May 13, 1913 – Theodore Roosevelt Visits Marquette
Former President Theodore Roosevelt traveled to Marquette to face George Hewitt, an Ishpeming editor who accused him of being a drunk and a liar. After Roosevelt gave powerful testimony on May 27, Hewitt admitted his claims were false. Roosevelt accepted just six cents in damages, famously calling it “the price of a good newspaper.” While in town, he also attended mass at the Fort Street Presbyterian Church, where a pew now bears a plaque marking his visit.
May 17, 1673 – Father Marquette Explores the Western Upper Peninsula
352 years ago today, Father Jacques Marquette and fur trader Louis Joliet launched one of the most important expedition in North American history. Setting out from St. Ignace with five voyageurs, they began a four-month journey to explore the mighty Mississippi River—what Indigenous peoples called the “Messipi” or “Great River.” Though they didn’t discover the river, their documentation helped map a navigable water route from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, laying the foundation for trade, settlement, and cultural exchange (and disruption) across the continent.
May 17, 1881 – Gold Discovered Near Ishpeming
Julius Ropes, a local chemist from Marquette, discovered gold just north of Ishpeming and launched the only successful gold mine east of the Mississippi River. The Ropes Mine produced over $700,000 in gold and silver before closing in 1897, but it reopened several times—most notably in the 1980s when it yielded more than $68 million in precious metals. While there’s no active gold mining today, the story of the Ropes Mine lives on in Michigan lore.
May 17, 1990 – Grand Island Becomes a National Recreation Area
Located just offshore from Munising in Lake Superior, Grand Island was officially designated a National Recreation Area by Congress on this day in 1990. In 2020 a United States Postal Service (USPS) Priority Mail Express stamp featuring the Grand Island Ice Caves was released. With its 13,500 acres of forest, towering sandstone cliffs, and 35 miles of shoreline, Grand Island became a protected paradise for hikers, bikers, campers, and adventurers. From scenic ferry rides to the hauntingly beautiful East Channel Lighthouse, Grand Island offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue.
May 21, 1891 – Dickinson County Established
Michigan’s final county, Dickinson, was officially created on this date in 1891, marking the end of county formation in the state. Formed from parts of Marquette, Menominee, and Iron counties in the Upper Peninsula, Dickinson was named after U.S. Postmaster General Donald M. Dickinson. Known for its deep roots in the mining and lumber industries, the region had already been bustling with activity for decades before it gained county status. From the Menominee Iron Range to Pine Mountain’s towering ski jump, Dickinson County has a lot to offer—and it all began on this day in history.
May 23, 1978 – Gwen Frostic Day Declared
Benzonia-based artist and author Gwen Frostic was honored for her artistic contributions, particularly her nature-themed prints and books that captured Michigan’s natural beauty. Michigan Governor William Milliken officially declared May 23 as Gwen Frostic Day, celebrating a life devoted to creativity, nature, and generosity. From her beloved Benzonia studio to her million-dollar gift to Western Michigan University, Frostic’s legacy continues to bloom.
May 24, 1820 – Cass/Schoolcraft Expedition Explores the Upper Peninsula
Michigan Governor Lewis Cass and geologist Henry Schoolcraft launched the first major American expedition to explore the Upper Peninsula. The team—an adventurous mix of soldiers, scientists, interpreters, and Native Americans—set out to survey the land’s natural resources, forge connections with local tribes, and turn around Michigan’s less-than-glowing reputation. Their journey took them through iconic locations like Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie, and Pictured Rocks. It helped lay the foundation for future development in the region and ignited Schoolcraft’s lifelong dedication to studying Native American cultures.
May 26, 1668 – St. Mary’s Church Built in Sault Ste. Marie
Over 350 years ago, Jesuit missionaries built a humble wooden chapel on the banks of the St. Marys River, marking the birth of Michigan’s first permanent structure and what would become the Holy Name of Mary Proto-Cathedral—the third oldest parish in the United States. From frontier mission to architectural landmark, this church has stood at the heart of Sault Ste. Marie’s story for centuries.
May 28, 1900 – Hockey Star Clarence John Abel Born
A true legend of the ice, Clarence “Taffy” Abel was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. A proud member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Abel became a trailblazer in both the Olympics and the NHL. He was the first American to carry the U.S. flag at a Winter Olympics, the first Native American to play in the NHL, and a two-time Stanley Cup champion. From Olympic silver to breaking barriers in professional hockey, Abel’s legacy is as bold and inspiring as the hits he delivered on the ice.
May 31, 1855 – Soo Canal Completed
Before ships could navigate between Lakes Huron and Superior, they had to contend with the powerful St. Marys Rapids. That changed on May 31, 1855, when the Soo Canal was completed, allowing vessels to bypass the 22-foot elevation difference and revolutionizing commerce on the Great Lakes. Sanctioned by Michigan’s first governor, Stevens T. Mason, and built in just two years, the canal paved the way for what we now know as the Soo Locks. It remains a testament to 19th-century engineering and is still in operation today.
May 31, 1964 – Historical Marker Dedicated to Ezekiel Solomon
Michigan honored one of its earliest pioneers when a historical marker was placed in Mackinaw City. The marker commemorates Ezekiel Solomon, the state’s first known Jewish resident. He was a fur trader who traveled from Montreal to Fort Michilimackinac in 1761. Solomon played a vital role in early trade networks and cultural exchange on the Great Lakes frontier. He survived Pontiac’s Rebellion, partnered in a prominent trading house, and later helped establish Montreal’s first Sephardic synagogue. He did this all while raising a family with his biracial, Catholic wife on Mackinac Island. Learn more about this fascinating figure and the legacy he left behind in our latest post.
From legal milestones to daring explorations, May has been a significant month in Michigan’s history. These stories highlight the resilience and adventurous spirit of those who shaped the state we know today. Stay tuned for in-depth articles on these and other fascinating historical moments as the month unfolds!
