The End of the Road in Michigan: Recent Episodes
Thumbwind Productions
From time to time, we select one of Thumbwind.com's amazing short stories from the Great Lakes region and the Tip of Michigan’s Thumb. So sit back, relax, and enjoys this week’s tale from the End of the Road in Michigan.
This "podcast" is a result of an experiment to enable our website to be compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, (WCAG). Each episode is created with a yet to speech utility by Amazon Polly. This will allow those with visual disabilities to listen to our stories without the need for screen reading software.
Show Notes and Podcast Episodes - https://thumbwind.com/2020/02/10/the-end-of-the-road-in-michigan/
On a cold November morning in 1926, fifty-one miners descended into the Barnes-Hecker Mine near Ishpeming expecting another ordinary shift. Minutes later, a violent collapse sent water, mud, and thousands of tons of earth crashing into the underground workings.
Only one miner escaped.
Forty-one men were never recovered and remain buried beneath Michigan's Upper Peninsula nearly a century later.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we reconstruct the disaster minute by minute using historical records, eyewitness accounts, and modern research. You'll hear the remarkable story of Wilfred Wills, the lone survivor who climbed nearly 800 feet to safety, the families who waited at the mine entrance for news that never came and the questions that still surround Michigan's deadliest mining disaster.
This is more than the story of a mine collapse. It is a story about courage, sacrifice, and a community forever changed by one of the worst industrial tragedies in American history.
Join us as we remember the fifty-one men of the Barnes-Hecker Mine.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
On Oct. 15, 1908, a freight train pulled away from Metz, Michigan, carrying families trying to escape one of the worst forest fires in state history.
The passengers believed the railroad would carry them to safety. Instead, the train entered a burning corridor lined with cedar posts, railroad ties, hemlock bark and timber. Heat had damaged the tracks, and the locomotive derailed near Nowicki’s Siding. The open freight cars behind it became a deadly trap.
In this episode of The End of the Road in Michigan, we revisit the Metz Fire of 1908, the doomed relief train and the families caught between flames on both sides of the track. The story includes the desperate evacuation, the survivors who crawled through smoke and burning ground, and the residents who stayed behind and lived.
The fire killed 37 people across Presque Isle County, destroyed much of Metz and left hundreds without homes as winter approached. It also exposed the dangers created by logging waste, drought and the lack of organized emergency planning in early 20th-century Michigan.
This is the story of a village built by the railroad—and the night that railroad carried its people into the fire.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
This episode includes AI-generated content.
In June 1968, Richard and Shirley Robison took their four children to the family’s secluded summer cottage near Good Hart, Michigan. Twenty-seven days later, a caretaker entered the locked home and found all six members of the family dead.
Investigators built a strong circumstantial case against Richard’s employee, Joseph Scolaro, pointing to missing business funds, an unexplained gap in his movements and links to weapons connected to the crime.
But prosecutors never brought the case to trial, and Scolaro died before a jury could hear the evidence.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we examine the crime scene, the delayed discovery, the prime suspect and the question that still divides investigators and true-crime researchers: Was the Good Hart case solved in everything but a courtroom?
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
This episode includes AI-generated content.
Before dawn on Nov. 29, 1966, the Great Lakes freighter Daniel J. Morrell broke in two during a violent storm on Lake Huron.
Twenty-nine men were aboard. Only one came home.
Watchman Dennis Hale escaped onto a life raft with three crewmates. One by one, the other men died from exposure as the raft drifted through freezing spray, towering waves and two nights of darkness. Hale remained alone for 38 hours before a Coast Guard helicopter spotted movement on what appeared to be a raft carrying four bodies.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we follow the Morrell’s final voyage, the terrifying sight of its powered stern racing through the storm, the delayed search and the remarkable survival of the man who lifted one arm toward the sky.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
This episode includes AI-generated content.
On Jan. 11, 1945, Michigan state Sen. Warren G. Hooper was found shot to death in his car along M-99 near Springport. Four days later, he was expected to testify in a sweeping corruption investigation involving bribery, political influence and some of the most powerful figures in Michigan.
Hooper was no innocent bystander. He had admitted taking bribes himself and agreed to cooperate with investigators in exchange for immunity. That made him a dangerous witness.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we follow the roadside murder, the Purple Gang connection, the conspiracy convictions, the strange prison theory and the unanswered question that still hangs over the case more than 80 years later:
Who killed Warren Hooper — and who wanted him silenced?
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
In 1864, a respected young banker in Hudson, Michigan, vanished with $60,000 in cash—money that belonged to townships, soldiers, and widows.
His name was William Treadwell, and the bank he robbed was his own. This episode traces a Civil War–era crime that stunned the state: a carefully planned theft, a dramatic jailbreak, and a betrayal that ended in murder deep in the Ohio woods.
It’s a true-crime story of greed, trust, and downfall—one of the strangest financial scandals in Michigan history.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
On a cold November night in 1953, a U.S. Air Force jet vanished over Lake Superior while chasing an unidentified radar contact. The crew—Lt. Felix Moncla and Lt. Robert Wilson—were never found. In this episode, we dig into the facts behind the so-called Kinross Incident: radar records, Cold War tensions, conflicting official reports, and the moment two blips merged into one and disappeared.
Was it a tragic accident, a Cold War misidentification—or something stranger? No speculation, just a sharp look at one of Michigan’s most enduring aviation mysteries.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
Before Route 66 became an American road-trip icon, Michigan motorists were already following another ambitious highway south.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we trace the history of the Dixie Highway, a sprawling early automobile route that linked Michigan with Florida beginning in 1915. Its eastern and western divisions crossed the Lower Peninsula, passed through communities such as Detroit, Waterford and Mackinaw City, and helped usher in a new era of tourism, roadside businesses and long-distance driving.
We look at Carl G. Fisher’s role in promoting the route, Michigan’s push to become part of the system, the rough conditions early motorists faced, and the stone monument that once marked the highway at Mackinaw City.
We also explain how the Dixie Highway predated Route 66 by more than a decade and how much of its route was later absorbed into numbered highways such as U.S. 31. Historic maps, postcards and photographs reveal a time when a “highway” could still mean dirt, gravel and uncertainty.
This is the story of the road that pointed south — from the Great Lakes toward Miami — and helped change how Americans traveled. Follow End of the Road in Michigan for more stories from Michigan’s past.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
At the turn of the 20th century, Alma, Michigan transformed from a quiet former lumber town into a thriving industrial hub. Sugar beet fields replaced pine forests, and a bustling refinery put Alma on the map for sugar production. Visionary local leader Ammi Wright built mills, factories, and even a college, laying the groundwork for growth.
When World War I erupted, Alma’s Republic Truck Company answered the call by producing thousands of Liberty Trucks for the U.S. Army. Meanwhile, the town’s roller mills, canneries, and Swift & Co. plant kept America’s food supply flowing.
This narrative shines a light on how Alma’s people and industries – from the Union Depot’s rail traffic to the Michigan Masonic Home’s charitable care – all contributed to the war effort and community life. It’s a story of innovation, patriotism, and early 20th-century spirit in small-town America.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
The Fishing Village of Leland Michigan: One of the Last Commercial Fisheries on Lake Michigan tells the story of Fishtown, a rare working waterfront that grew from Native fishing grounds, sawmill power, iron smoke and Lake Michigan commercial fishing.
This episode of End of the Road in Michigan follows Leland from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s, when fish tugs, smokehouses, net racks and weathered shanties lined the Leland River. Before it became one of Michigan’s best-known travel stops, Leland was a hard-working harbor where families made a living from whitefish, trout, ciscoes and lake winds.
The story also covers Leland’s surprising industrial past, including its charcoal iron furnace and the origin of Leland Blue stone. By the 1900s, tourism began to rise, but commercial fishing stayed at the center of the village’s identity.
Leland’s story is not just about nostalgia. It is about labor, water, family businesses and the fight to keep one of Lake Michigan’s last traditional fishing districts in public memory.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
For nearly 100 years, the Hotel Ojibway has stood as one of Michigan's most recognizable historic hotels. Overlooking the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, it welcomed tourists, business leaders, politicians, and Great Lakes travelers during the golden age of railroads and automobile tourism.
In this episode of The End of the Road in Michigan Podcast, we trace the hotel's story from its grand opening in 1927 through the Great Depression, World War II, and decades of change in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. You'll meet longtime owners Leon and Beatrice Deglman, learn why former Governor Chase S. Osborn helped bring the hotel to life, and hear how the Soo Locks transformed Sault Ste. Marie into one of North America's most important transportation hubs.
We'll also separate documented history from local legend as we examine the enduring story of Room 616, where many believe the spirit of Beatrice Deglman still watches over the hotel. Is it history, folklore, or simply one of Michigan's favorite ghost stories?
Join us as we uncover the luxury, the legends, and the lasting legacy of the Hotel Ojibway—one of the Upper Peninsula's most fascinating landmarks.
The End of the Road in Michigan Podcast brings you the people, places, history, and legends that make Michigan unique—one story at a time.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
Michigan is full of towns that once had mills, mines, hotels, post offices, rail depots, docks, stores and big plans. Then the timber ran out. The copper market fell. The railroad moved. The dunes shifted. The fires came. The ships stopped calling. And in many cases, the town simply faded from the map.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we take a lively trip through some of Michigan’s most interesting ghost towns, from the Upper Peninsula to the Thumb and the Lake Michigan shore. These are not just spooky names on old maps. They were working communities built around lumber, copper, salt, fishing, shipping, farming and tourism.
The episode covers well-known and lesser-known Michigan ghost towns, including Fayette, Freda, Sigma, Berne, Alabaster, Linkville, New River and Port Crescent, along with added stops at Singapore, Port Oneida, Pere Cheney, Old Victoria, Nonesuch, Disco, Aral, Edgewater, Good Harbor, Glen Haven, Central Mine and Clifton.
Some towns, like Fayette, survive as preserved historic sites. Others, like Singapore, were swallowed by Lake Michigan sand after the timber was cut away. Port Crescent, once a busy Lake Huron port near the Pinnebog River, had sawmills, salt works, hotels, shops and more than 500 residents before fire, timber losses and shifting industry left only traces behind. Today, its former townsite sits within Port Crescent State Park.
The story also includes Pere Cheney, a Crawford County lumber town now better known for its cemetery legends than its railroad and sawmill history. In the western Upper Peninsula, Old Victoria and Nonesuch tell the story of copper mining towns where good engineering and big hopes still could not beat falling prices or difficult ore. And then there is Disco, a real 19th-century Macomb County settlement with a name that arrived long before mirrored balls and Saturday night dance floors.
This episode asks a simple question: Why do towns vanish? In Michigan, the answer often comes down to one industry, one railroad line, one dock, one mine or one mill. When that reason for being disappeared, the town usually followed.Along the way, we look at the strange, funny and often sobering history of Michigan ghost towns. These were not empty places. They were homes. They had churches, schools, stores, blacksmiths, mills, cemeteries, boarding houses and people who thought their town had a future.
So take a ride down the back roads, old rail grades and forgotten shorelines of Michigan history. This episode of End of the Road in Michigan is about the places that boomed, burned, shifted, sank, emptied out or simply lost the fight with time.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
The Pere Marquette docks in Arcadia, Michigan, once connected a small Lake Michigan village to a much larger world. In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we follow the story of the harbor, railroad and steamship network that helped shape Arcadia during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Through rare historic postcards and local history, we examine how the Pere Marquette Railroad, the Arcadia & Betsey River Railway and Great Lakes steamers worked together to move lumber, freight, passengers and manufactured goods through this busy harbor. What began as a lumber town grew into a transportation hub where trains met ships and local products reached markets across the Great Lakes region.
You'll learn about Henry Starke's role in building Arcadia, the creation of the channel connecting Bar Lake to Lake Michigan, the rise of the Starke Land & Lumber Company, the devastating 1906 sawmill fire and the town's transition into furniture manufacturing. We also look at the steamers that regularly called at Arcadia's docks and the people whose daily lives revolved around the waterfront.
This episode offers a fascinating look at a forgotten chapter of Michigan transportation history and reveals how one small harbor played an important role in the economic growth of Northwest Michigan.
If you enjoy stories about Michigan history, Great Lakes shipping, railroads, steamships, lumber towns and vintage postcards, be sure to follow End of the Road in Michigan for more journeys into the state's past.
MichiganHistory #ArcadiaMichigan #PereMarquette #GreatLakesHistory #RailroadHistory
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
In 1863, a group of German Methodist families came to the edge of Wild Fowl Bay near Bay Port, Michigan, with a bold plan. They would build a Christian colony in the wilderness. They called it Ora Labora, meaning “Pray and Work.”
Led by Emil Baur and backed by the Harmony Society of Pennsylvania, the settlers raised cabins, cleared land, built mills, opened a store, created a post office, and tried to form a self-sufficient community during the darkest years of the Civil War.
But faith alone could not overcome debt, labor shortages, hard winters, poor planning, and growing distrust. Within a few years, Ora Labora began to break apart. Then came the fire of 1871, which changed the region forever.
This episode tells the dramatic story of Michigan’s forgotten German colony, the dream that brought families to Huron County, and the reasons their settlement faded into history.A story of faith, work, ambition, and loss on the shore of Wild Fowl Bay.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
Hillman, Michigan, began as Brush Creek, a small settlement shaped by timber, water, farm trade and the Thunder Bay River. In this episode of Michigan Moments, we follow Hillman from its early days as a Montmorency County center to its years as a railroad stop, hotel town, farm market and Lake Avalon resort community.
The story includes State Street, Louis Davidson’s Department Store, the Winona Hotel, the Hillman depot, local elevators, Cronk’s service station, early automobiles, hunting clubs and the cottage culture that grew around Brush Lake, later known as Lake Avalon.
One of Hillman’s most surprising turns came when the Detroit & Mackinac Railway reached the village after the old pine boom had already faded in much of the region. The train gave Hillman a boost, but the town’s future came from something broader: farms, stores, roads, lake visitors and a main street that kept coming back after fire and change.
This episode is for listeners interested in Hillman history, Montmorency County, Northern Lower Michigan, vintage Michigan towns, logging-era communities, small-town railroads and early Michigan resort life.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
Michigan’s roadside tourism boom turned two-lane highways into stages for bear camps, tourist towers, novelty buildings, tiny chapels, diners and roadside oddities.
This episode looks at how the automobile reshaped travel from the 1920s through the 1950s, using Spikehorn Meyers, Hedges Wigwam, Michigan tourist towers and other quirky stops as examples of the era when a good sign could make a family pull over.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
During Prohibition, Detroit’s location across from Windsor helped turn the Detroit River into a major liquor-smuggling route. From that underworld came the Purple Gang, a violent criminal group tied to rum running, hijacking, extortion and murder.
This episode follows the gang’s rise and decline through newspaper accounts, with the Collingwood Manor Massacre of 1931 as the turning point that helped break its power.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
In October 1908, northern Michigan burned. The Metz Fire destroyed a village, killed dozens and left hundreds homeless.
At the same time, fires threatened communities near Alpena, Traverse City and Sault Ste. Marie, where ashes fell on the water “as if from a volcano.”
This episode follows the fire through newspaper reports and the firsthand escape account of Mildred Swan, a Bay City teacher who ran through burning orchards and fences to survive.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
Michigan once had a broad electric interurban rail network that linked Detroit, small towns, farms, factories and lake resorts.
By the late 1920s and early 1930s, that system was collapsing under pressure from private automobiles, buses, rising costs and court-approved abandonments.
This episode follows the decline through newspaper accounts from Saginaw, Monroe and Berrien Springs, showing how electric rail gave way to Michigan’s road age.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
This episode includes AI-generated content.
During World War II, more than 6,000 German and Italian prisoners of war were held in Michigan. They cut pulpwood in the Upper Peninsula, worked in fruit orchards, harvested crops, and helped fill wartime labor shortages.
This episode follows the final days of German POWs at Fort Custer and Camp Evelyn, using 1945–46 newspaper clippings and historical records to tell the story of enemy soldiers who came to Michigan as prisoners — and, in some cases, hoped to return one day as free men.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
In the summer of 1889, wealthy tourists stepped off Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railroad trains bound for the White House Inn on Lake Gogebic. What began as a peaceful journey through Michigan’s deep north woods quickly turned into one of the Upper Peninsula’s most shocking crimes.
A horse-drawn resort stagecoach carrying bankers and vacationers rolled along a lonely wilderness road when an armed gunman stepped from the trees. The robbery left one man dead, triggered fears of lynching in Gogebic County, and launched a manhunt that gripped newspapers across the Midwest. The suspect, Reimund Holzhey, became known as the “Gogebic Highwayman,” a mysterious figure whose courtroom testimony, claims of insanity, and strange later life only deepened the legend.
Using original 1889 newspaper accounts, regional historical records, and local Upper Peninsula history, this episode reconstructs the dramatic story behind what many still call Michigan’s last great stagecoach robbery. Along the way, it examines the fading frontier era of Lake Gogebic’s grand resort hotels, railroad tourism, and the rough wilderness roads that once connected them.
Was this truly the last stagecoach robbery in North America? The answer may surprise you.
MichiganHistory #LakeGogebic #UpperPeninsula #TrueCrimeHistory #MichiganMoments #StagecoachRobbery #OldWest #GogebicCounty #Marenisco #GreatLakesHistory
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
This episode includes AI-generated content.
Interlochen, Michigan was once a timber town on a narrow strip between two lakes. In 1917 the state bought a stand of white pines to create Michigan’s first state park, saving the forest and the town’s future.
By 1928 conductor Joseph Maddy had brought the National Music Camp to Interlochen, and by 1962 the Interlochen Arts Academy opened as a boarding school for gifted artists.
Interestingly, it all grew from that one decision to spare the pines – a logging-era move that paved the way for music. Thanks for listening, please follow us for future episodes.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
Newberry, Michigan rose with the railroads and the timber economy, then learned how to survive the long shift that followed. In this episode, we trace how a small Luce County town became both an industrial workhorse and a starting point for North Country travel.
From charcoal iron and logging payrolls to the steady presence of the state hospital and the early pull of Tahquamenon country, Newberry’s story is about adaptation without pretense. It’s a place shaped by winter, work, and the people who stayed when the boom years cooled.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
Walled Lake, Michigan — just 25 miles from Detroit — was once one of the Midwest’s most electric summer destinations.
In this episode of The End of the Road in Michigan, we step back to the early 20th century, when steam trains, Model Ts, and streetcars carried thousands to the first popular beach west of Detroit. What began as a quiet farming village transformed into a lakeside playground filled with dance halls, glowing pavilions, and the roar of the Flying Dragon roller coaster.
We tell the story of rival dance halls that packed nearly a thousand people onto polished maple floors. We revisit the Walled Lake Amusement Park, where families rode Ferris wheels at sunset and teenagers stayed out late beneath spinning mirrored lights. And we explore how, even during the Great Depression, this small Michigan town kept the music playing.
This episode is about ambition, escape, and the simple power of summer nights by the water. It is the story of how Walled Lake became more than a dot on a map — it became a memory for a generation.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
This episode includes AI-generated content.
On a hill above the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Fort Brady stood guard for more than a century. It never became a battlefield. It rarely made national headlines. Yet for decades, it shaped the lives of soldiers and the community around it.
In this episode of The End of the Road in Michigan, we step into the years between wars — when Fort Brady functioned less like a combat outpost and more like a northern town in uniform. Soldiers drilled at dawn, shoveled heavy snow in winter, played baseball in summer, and performed in post bands that echoed across Ashmun Hill.
We examine how routine shaped readiness. How winter training prepared troops for global conflict. And how the fort’s steady presence supported Sault Ste. Marie survived the Great Depression and World War II.
When the Army closed Fort Brady in 1944, its buildings did not fall silent. They became classrooms and dormitories, forming the foundation of what is now Lake Superior State University. This episode explores a different kind of military story — one defined by patience, discipline, community, and endurance in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
This episode includes AI-generated content.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a nostalgic journey to the far corners of the Great Lakes State—where highways thin, weather makes the rules, and history still feels close. Each episode tells a true Michigan story with the pace and detail of a classic historical documentary.
In Copper Harbor, Michigan, Lake Superior doesn’t just mark the edge of the map—it sets the terms. On November 30, 1926, the freighter City of Bangor ran aground near Keweenaw Point in a fierce storm, carrying a remarkable cargo: hundreds of brand-new 1927 Chrysler automobiles.
What followed was part rescue story, part winter engineering, and part automotive oddity—men saved through deep snow, a ship sealed in ice, and a salvage operation so bold it still sounds unreal. This is the true tale of how roughly 202 new cars were hauled back from Superior’s winter and sent on to ordinary roads.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
This episode includes AI-generated content.
In this episode of The End of the Road in Michigan, we tell the bizarre true story of the House of David — a celibate, vegetarian religious commune in Benton Harbor that ran one of the most successful amusement parks in the Midwest. With long beards, a world-famous baseball team, miniature trains, and half a million visitors a year, they built an empire on joy and faith.
Then came scandal, a public trial, and a slow collapse.
How did a strict religious sect end up with a beer garden, a zoo, and nightly dance parties? And what finally brought it all down?
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
This episode includes AI-generated content.
In the early 1900s, Romeo, Michigan, was a farm town with a surprisingly modern advantage: electric interurban rail service. It gave residents a way to reach jobs, shops, and neighboring communities on a timetable—years before most families owned reliable cars.
This episode follows the interurban era as it shaped daily life in Romeo. We examine how scheduled public transportation affected downtown businesses, how it widened the market for farm communities, and why the system faded as cars, paved roads, and buses took over. It’s also a reminder that “progress” did not always mean better public options.
In many places, the end of rail service made mobility more expensive and more isolated for anyone without a car. If you’ve ever wondered how a small Michigan village stayed connected to the Detroit region—then watched those connections disappear—Romeo is a clean example. It’s a story about technology, economics, and the quiet ways a town changes when the tracks stop running.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
This episode includes AI-generated content.
Long before Farmington became a suburb, it was a stopping point on one of Michigan’s most important roads. This episode traces Farmington’s story from the late 1800s through the early 20th century, when Grand River Avenue carried farmers, rail traffic, interurban cars, and travelers moving between Detroit and the interior of the state.
Using historic descriptions and first-hand accounts, we look at the hotels, mills, churches, schools, and power plants that shaped daily life between 1890 and 1940. This was a town built around movement—goods coming in, people passing through, and a community adjusting to modern life one decade at a time.
Grand River Tales is a reminder that some of Michigan’s most important stories unfolded not at the destination, but along the road itself.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
This episode includes AI-generated content.
Explore the captivating story of Fort Brady, Michigan, from 1900 to 1941. This video looks at the historic U.S. Army fort in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where soldiers guarded the Soo Locks and endured brutal winters. You’ll see vintage photographs of troops clearing deep snow, playing baseball on the parade field, and marching to a military band.
Fort Brady was built to protect American territory, but life at the post included everyday friendships and pastimes. Learn how the fort grew in the early 1900s with new barracks and officers’ houses that hosted summer training camps, and even had its own Women’s Army Corps barracks in the 1930s.
Cold-weather training was a big part of Fort Brady’s mission. In World War II, 15,000 troops were stationed here to practice arctic warfare. Weaves together archival stories about military life, recreation, and the challenges of Michigan winters.
A production of Thumbwind Publications
In 1763, the Great Lakes erupted in rebellion. The war between Britain and France had ended, but peace never reached the frontier. When British officers replaced French traders at forts like Detroit and Michilimackinac, Indigenous nations faced an empire that dismissed their alliances and restricted their trade.
The result was a sweeping uprising led by an Odawa war chief named Pontiac — a conflict that reshaped both Michigan and North America. This ten-minute episode of End of the Road in Michigan takes listeners to the forests and rivers where Pontiac’s alliance struck back against British control. From the five-month siege of Detroit to the daring lacrosse ruse that captured Fort Michilimackinac, the story reveals how the Indigenous nations of the Great Lakes forced the world’s most powerful army to change course.
This episode explores the war’s origins in Neolin’s spiritual movement, the shocking use of smallpox as a weapon at Fort Pitt, and the human cost that rippled across the frontier. It ends with the Royal Proclamation of 1763 — Britain’s attempt to contain the unrest by recognizing Native land rights west of the Appalachians. Pontiac’s War – The Fire That Swept the Great Lakes is more than a story of rebellion; it’s a story of resilience, diplomacy, and the enduring will of the Great Lakes nations to protect their homelands. Key segments include:* The Delaware Prophet Neolin and the vision that inspired unity. * Pontiac’s council near Detroit and the start of the 1763 siege. * The capture of Fort Michilimackinac through a staged lacrosse game. * The British counterattack at the Battle of Bushy Run. * The Royal Proclamation of 1763 and its impact on Michigan. * The legacy of Pontiac’s leadership and the enduring lessons of the uprising.
A production of Thumbwind Publications
On September 8, 1860, the sidewheel steamer Lady Elgin collided with the schooner Augusta off Winnetka, Illinois, sending more than 300 passengers into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan. While the disaster became one of the deadliest shipwrecks in Great Lakes history, much of the blame focused on the Augusta.
Branded reckless, cursed, and unlucky, the schooner soon earned a reputation as a pariah of the inland seas.
This episode of End of the Road in Michigan traces the tangled story of the Augusta—its role in the tragedy, the bitter legal battles that followed, and the dark superstitions that dogged the vessel until its end. Was the Augusta truly cursed, or simply a scapegoat in the wake of unimaginable loss?
A production of Thumbwind Publications
The Bear Man of Harrison, Michigan
In the 1930s and 1940s, motorists driving through Harrison, Michigan, often stopped at a roadside attraction unlike any other: Spikehorn Meyers’ Bear Den. Here, an eccentric old woodsman dressed in buckskin invited families to feed, pet, and even shake hands with live black bears. For nearly three decades, John “Spikehorn” Meyer turned his rustic camp into a legendary stop along US-27.
Visitors gasped as bears sipped soda from glass bottles and nibbled popcorn from their hands. Spikehorn became both a beloved folk hero and a thorn in the side of state conservation officers, proudly displaying a sign that read, “Feed Conservation Officers to the Bears.”
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we revisit the life of Spikehorn Meyers, his colorful partnership with “Chief Red Eagle,” and the unforgettable stories of the Bear Den. It’s a tale of showmanship, danger, humor, and the unique roadside history that shaped small towns across Michigan.
A production of Thumbwind Publications
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we journey to Beaver Island — the largest island in Lake Michigan and the only place in America that once had a king. From 1848 to 1856, James Jesse Strang ruled here as a self-proclaimed monarch, building roads, homes, and a newspaper before his dramatic assassination at the St. James docks.
We explore the Irish fishing community that reclaimed the island, the rise and fall of its Great Lakes fishing dominance, and the daring rescues of lighthouse keepers and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The story continues with the roar of logging trains through the forests, the quiet service of “Dr.” Feodor Protar, and the hard years when the population dwindled to fewer than 200 residents. This is a story of isolation, industry, and community spirit, told through the photographs and voices of history.
A production of Thumbwind Publications
In the early 1900s, Hancock’s Quincy Mine—nicknamed Old Reliable—was one of America’s most productive copper mines. It reached over a mile underground, ran the world’s largest steam hoist, and fueled Michigan’s Copper Country economy for decades.
But the work was grueling, the hours long, and tensions boiled over in the 1913 strike—culminating in the Italian Hall disaster, one of the darkest days in Michigan’s labor history.
In this End of the Road in Michigan episode, we uncover the full story: the rise, the innovation, and the strife that shaped the Quincy Mine and the community around it.
Listen now and step back into a world where copper was king—and the cost of progress was paid in human lives.
QuincyMine #MichiganHistory #CopperCountry #EndOfTheRoadInMichigan
A production of Thumbwind Publications
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we take you back to the early 1900s, when Saugatuck transformed from a quiet lumber town into a vibrant summer retreat for Chicago’s city dwellers. You’ll hear how steamships, interurban trains, and hand-cranked ferries brought thousands to this lakeshore village.
We revisit the days of the Big Pavilion, where electric lights lit up the harbor and music echoed across the water, and follow vacationers over Mt. Baldhead to the soft sands of Oval Beach.
This episode also explores Saugatuck’s artistic legacy, with the founding of the Ox-Bow Summer School of Painting, and uncovers local stories — including Prohibition-era intrigue and the town’s growing reputation as a welcoming, creative community.
It’s a story of reinvention, leisure, and the rhythms of summer that still echo today.
A production of Thumbwind Publications
This episode traces North Adams, a Hillsdale County village that grew up along the rails and wired itself for the future. We open with the town’s most retold story—blacksmith Henry Taylor, a former slave who became a respected tradesman and was said to carry his anvil and once walk off with a potbelly stove. From there, we move down Main Street to Maccabee Hall, Barden’s Hotel, and C. J. Knapp’s store, then over to the 1912 Municipal Lighting Plant that brought electric light to homes and storefronts.
We also cover a tough year: April 23, 1927, when sparks from a chimney ruined the village school. Classes shifted to Town Hall, the Odd Fellows hall, and the Congregational Church while a new building was planned. A 1927 newspaper snapshot rounds out daily life—about 500 residents, three churches, a 12-grade school on the University of Michigan list, a library of 900 books, and a full block of shops and services.
A production of Thumbwind Publications
At the far eastern tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula lies De Tour Village, where the St. Marys River meets Lake Huron. In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we trace De Tour’s history from its earliest Native American encampments and French voyageurs to the bustling lumber era of the late 1800s.
We revisit the days when the harbor was crowded with freighters, the winters when ships froze in place, and the arrival of summer tourists drawn to nearby Caribou Lake resorts. Through maritime heritage, economic change, and enduring small-town life, De Tour’s story reflects the history of Michigan’s Great Lakes communities.
A production of Thumbwind Publications
The History of Tower, Michigan (1900–1950)
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we travel to Cheboygan County to tell the story of Tower, a northern Michigan village built on timber and the railroad. At the turn of the 20th century, Tower was a booming lumber town — home to busy sawmills, the Stratton Handle Factory, and a thriving Main Street lined with shops, hotels, and saloons.
But Tower’s fortunes changed quickly. In 1911, a massive wildfire destroyed much of its industry and infrastructure. Just over a decade later, the Black River flooded, threatening to destroy the Tower Dam and washing out sections of railroad track. Through fire, flood, and economic decline, Tower adapted — from a bustling mill town to a quiet rural community.
Using rare historical accounts, this episode traces the rise, trials, and survival of Tower, Michigan, from 1900 to 1950. It’s a story echoed in small towns across the state — places built by the forest, changed by time, and held together by the people who stayed.
A production of Thumbwind Publications
On September 5, 1881, Michigan’s Thumb was engulfed by one of the deadliest forest fires in state history. In this gripping episode of The End of the Road in Michigan, we recount the devastating story of the 1881 Parisville Fire, which destroyed 446 buildings and claimed 22 lives in a single afternoon.
Through vivid storytelling and eyewitness accounts, we explore how this small Polish immigrant community faced total destruction—and how a handful of mysterious "miracles" gave them hope amid the ashes. Discover the legacy of Michigan’s deadliest Thumb fire and how Parisville rose from its ruins to rebuild stronger than before.
Before the freeways, before commercial flights, lake steamers were the gateway to the Midwest.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we chart the rise and fall of the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company—one of the Great Lakes' most iconic passenger lines. From grand vessels like the City of Detroit III and Greater Detroit, to the six-day cruises connecting Detroit, Cleveland, and Put-in-Bay, the D&C Line helped shape the travel culture of an industrializing Michigan.
With luxury cabins, promenade decks, and sweeping lake views, these ships were floating cities—and they carried millions across Lake Erie and Huron.
We bring you stories from passengers, stewards, and engineers, along with archival details and artifacts from Detroit's maritime past. Find out how this once-dominant fleet faded into history with the rise of the automobile—and what still remains today. This is the legacy of D&C Navigation—when ships ruled the lakes, and the end of the road was only the beginning.
In 1911, the tiny farming town of Tyre, Michigan, was rocked by a string of mysterious deaths in the Sparling family. Over the course of two years, four men from the same household died of sudden, agonizing illnesses. At first, it seemed like a tragedy. Then suspicion. And finally, murder.
In this episode, we unravel the haunting story of “The Dying Sparlings”—a tale of poison, scandal, and a courtroom drama that captured the attention of a state. Was it the family doctor? The grieving mother? Or someone else entirely? This 20-minute narrative walks you through one of Michigan’s most notorious historical murder cases—and the ripple effects it had across the Thumb.
In January 1911, two young brothers vanished into the frozen waters of Lake Huron. What followed was one of the most daring rescue efforts in Great Lakes history.
With ice closing in and time running out, a life-saving crew from Harbor Beach set out on a 40-mile journey by sleigh to bring them home. This episode of End of the Road in Michigan tells the true story of grit, community, and survival during one of Michigan’s coldest winters.
🔹 Bite-size pieces of Michigan history you likely never heard before.
🔹 Based on original reporting from The Harbor Beach Times, January 5, 1911.
Pontiac’s War: Fire on the Frontier, Peace in the Shadows
In 1763, as British flags replaced French ones across the Great Lakes, the First Peoples of Michigan faced a new empire—one that dismissed their diplomacy, severed their trade, and threatened their way of life. Led by Odawa war chief Pontiac and inspired by the spiritual teachings of Neolin, tribes from across the region united in a massive resistance campaign.
This episode traces the dramatic siege of Fort Detroit, the harrowing use of smallpox at Fort Pitt, and the chilling aftermath of Pontiac’s assassination, including the haunting legend of Starved Rock.
From war councils beneath the pines to vengeance on the banks of the Mississippi, Pontiac’s War was not just a rebellion—it was a defense of land, life, and sovereignty. And its echoes still shape the memory of the Great Lakes today. Tune in as End of the Road in Michigan brings this powerful story to life through dramatic narrative and historic insight.
Beneath the waters of Lake Huron lies one of the oldest known hunting grounds in North America. In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we explore the discovery of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge—a submerged prehistoric land bridge once used by Ice Age hunters to track caribou.
Archaeologists uncovered stone structures over 9,000 years old, reshaping our understanding of ancient life in the Great Lakes. We also examine the Indigenous stories that may align with this site’s hidden history.
Read the story at The Lost City Beneath Lake Huron – Michigan’s Oldest Known Hunting Ground
The Sinking of the Lady Elgin – Milwaukee’s Night of Mourning
In this emotional 10-minute episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we recount the 1860 wreck of the Lady Elgin—a luxury steamer torn apart in a midnight collision that killed nearly 300 people. Through survivor accounts, newspaper reports, and haunting details, this story explores how an entire city mourned, how bravery shone in the darkness, and why the disaster still resonates today.
Read more about this tragedy at The 1860 Lady Elgin Disaster - Lake Michigan's Deadliest Shipwreck
What do you do when your town dies? If you're William Carter and William McCoy in 1880s Michigan, you move your hotel — building and all — to where the action is. In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we trace the 140-year life of a single building that started in Port Crescent, found new life in Kinde, and reinvented itself as the Grand Central Hotel, Clancy’s, and finally the Wagon Wheel Inn. It’s a story of sawdust, railroads, Friday fish fries, and the long arc of small-town history.
Tune in for a surprising tale of resilience, reinvention, and what happens when a hotel becomes part of a community’s identity. Read the full story at The Amazing Story of the Grand Central Hotel (Kinde, Michigan) – 1880s to 1970s – The Forgotten Inn That Traveled Across Time
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we uncover the remarkable 1838 journey of 15-year-old Edward Petit, the first European child born in Port Huron.
As a teenage fur trader fluent in Ojibwe, Petit set out to locate a lost winter camp led by the elusive Chief O-ta-was. Braving freezing rain, hunger, and vast wilderness along the shores of Saginaw Bay, he completed one of the most successful trades in Michigan's early frontier history.
This story sheds light on the human side of early settler-Indigenous relations and the forgotten routes that shaped Michigan’s Thumb.
Step aboard the grand steamers that once ruled the Great Lakes. In this episode, we trace the story of the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company — from its 19th-century founding to its peak as a fleet of luxurious passenger ships and, finally, to its quiet demise in the postwar era.
You’ll hear about moonlit voyages, the majestic City of Detroit III, legendary designer Frank E. Kirby, wartime conversions, and the final season marked by tragedy. A compelling look at the transportation network that connected Michigan and the Midwest — and what it meant to the generations who sailed those inland seas.
Read the full story at Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company: Remarkable Tales from Michigan’s Golden Age of Steam.
Explore the rise, golden era, and trials of Bay Port, Michigan’s Gillingham Fish Company – once the world’s largest freshwater fishery – in this documentary-style narrative.
Discover how this Saginaw Bay fishing empire expanded to Charity Island, endured a devastating fire and economic decline, and lives on today through the Bay Port Fish Company.
We also examine modern threats to this 140-year fishing legacy, from climate change to proposed conservation laws. Read the full story at R. L. Gillingham Fish Company - Surprising Insights of Commerical Fishing at Bay Port 1896-1978
Explore Michigan’s shipbuilding legacy from 19th-century schooners to Great Lakes freighters. Learn how towns like St. Clair and Port Huron became shipbuilding hubs in “Schooners and Steam” on The End of the Road in Michigan podcast.
Explore the rise and fall of New River, Michigan, on "End of the Road in Michigan."
Discover how this once-thriving lumber and salt production village emerged in the mid-19th century, only to vanish as industries declined. Uncover the stories of early settlers, industrial endeavors, and the economic shifts that led to the disappearance of this remarkable hamlet.
In this episode of The End of the Road in Michigan, we investigate the tragic 1907 sinking of the fishing tug Searchlight, which vanished during a Lake Huron storm just outside Harbor Beach.
With six men aboard and no survivors, this story includes first-hand reports, a haunting message in a bottle, and new historical context from local archives. Discover how a sudden gale changed the fate of one small tug—and the community it left behind.
Topics include Great Lakes fishing history, the Harbor Beach Life-Saving Service, and maritime tragedies in Michigan.
Learn more at The Sinking of the Fishing Tug Searchlight - Harbor Beach’s Worst Fishing Tragedy.
Please follow our podcast for more Michigan stories lost to time.
Music: Fluidscape by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100393
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Join us on "End of the Road in Michigan" as we explore the inspiring story of Captain Aaron Peer and Grindstone City.
Discover how a remote shoreline community in Michigan’s Thumb region became a global leader in grindstone production, shaping industries worldwide. Learn about the resilience, innovation, and communal spirit that transformed a harsh wilderness into a thriving hub of industry and culture.
Read the whole story at Captain Aaron Peer Founded Grindstone City In 1834 And Began a New Industry.
Explore the fascinating life and enduring legacy of Douglass Houghton, Michigan’s pioneering geologist, whose groundbreaking discoveries initiated the Michigan Copper Rush and transformed the Upper Peninsula forever.
This detailed narrative reveals Houghton’s adventurous explorations, impactful civic contributions as Detroit’s mayor, and his tragic demise on Lake Superior. Join us to celebrate this remarkable historical figure whose relentless curiosity and dedication shaped Michigan’s history.
In 1679, a wooden ship named The Griffon sailed into Lake Michigan—and vanished without a trace. Built by French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, the Griffon was the first European-style ship to sail the upper Great Lakes. She was loaded with furs and promise... but she never came back. In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we explore one of the oldest mysteries in North America. We trace the Griffon’s journey, the legends surrounding her disappearance, and the many failed attempts to find her remains.
Was it mutiny? A storm? Or something deeper that pulled her under?
This is the story of a ship that opened the Great Lakes—and then disappeared into them.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we follow fur trader Louis Campau as he builds the first permanent white settlement in the Saginaw Valley in 1815. From his log trading post on the Saginaw River, Campau traded with the Anishinaabe and helped shape the future of Michigan.
His post became the site of the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw, a deal that ceded over 6 million acres of Native land to the United States. Learn how one man, one building, and one treaty helped launch the city of Saginaw—and marked a turning point in Michigan’s early history.
Read more about this story at The Campau Trading Post – How One Fur Post Sparked the Founding of Saginaw.
For more than 50 years, a mysterious glowing light has appeared in the remote woods near Paulding, Michigan—captivating curious visitors, spawning ghost stories, and defying simple explanation.
Known as the Paulding Light, it’s been called everything from a spectral railroad lantern to an optical illusion caused by distant headlights.
In this episode, we travel deep into the Upper Peninsula to uncover the truth behind one of Michigan’s most persistent legends. We explore the folklore, the science, and the enduring fascination with a phenomenon that refuses to fade. Is it a ghost? A trick of the light? Or something else entirely?
Find out in this eerie and atmospheric episode of End of the Road in Michigan.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we uncover the quiet collapse of Port Crescent, a once-promising Thumb Coast lumber town left behind when Washington said no.
In 1886, the people of Port Crescent pleaded for help dredging the silt-choked Pinepog River—a final hope to revive their struggling economy after decades of logging and devastating wildfires.
Lieutenant Colonel Orlando M. Poe, a respected U.S. Army engineer and Civil War veteran, was sent to investigate. His report didn’t just close the door on federal support—it sealed the town’s fate. This episode explores how one decision marked the beginning of the end for Port Crescent and how a river’s silence can echo for generations.
In 1962, a group of college students met at a union retreat in Port Huron, Michigan—and wrote a document that changed political activism in America. Known as the Port Huron Statement, it became the foundation of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and launched the New Left movement of the 1960s.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we tell the story of how one summer retreat on Lake Huron gave rise to a nationwide call for participatory democracy, student protest, and generational change.
To read more about this story, check out, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) – How A Retreat in Port Huron Sparked the Student Protest Era of the 1960’s
In 1966, Michigan came dangerously close to a nuclear catastrophe—just 30 miles from downtown Detroit. A failed cooling system at the Fermi 1 fast breeder reactor caused a partial meltdown, releasing radiation and sparking a cover-up that lasted years.
Engineers blamed a loose piece of metal—described as “the size of a beer can”—for the failure.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we uncover the chilling truth behind America’s first commercial nuclear accident, how close we came to disaster, and why the public didn’t learn the full story until nearly a decade later. If you’ve never heard about the Fermi 1 reactor or why one book called it We Almost Lost Detroit, this episode explains it all—fact by radioactive fact.
Find out more about this incident at We Almost Lost Detroit: Michigan’s Forgotten Nuclear Disaster at Fermi 1
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we revisit the terrifying days of September 1894, when the deadly Hinckley Fire in Minnesota blanketed Michigan in dense, choking smoke. For five straight days, daylight vanished across Saginaw, the Thumb, and the Upper Peninsula. Ships refused to sail. Trains stopped. Residents feared the apocalypse had arrived.
We share and uncover how a fire 400 miles away turned Michigan’s sky black, caused widespread panic, and triggered shutdowns across the Great Lakes—featuring original 1894 newspaper accounts, eyewitness reports, and the harrowing story of a burning train that outran the flames. If you’ve never heard of the 1894 Hinckley fire’s impact on Michigan, this is the episode that brings it out of the shadows.
In June 1909, disaster struck at the Canadian Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie when a massive lock gate failure sent four ships into chaos—two sank, and the Great Lakes shipping system ground to a halt.
In this episode, we recount the worst lock accident in Great Lakes history, detailing how it happened, its cascading impact on shipping and industry, and how it forever changed maritime infrastructure. If you've never heard of the "day the locks broke," you're not alone. But this forgotten event still echoes in today’s supply chain concerns.
If you want to read the rest of this story check out. Day of the Soo Locks Disaster — 1909’s Maritime Meltdown at Sault Ste. Marie
From winter wheat to Ferris wheels, this episode of End of the Road in Michigan uncovers how Huron County helped shape Michigan—and the nation.
Based on a 1959 article from the Harbor Beach Times, we trace the surprising national “firsts” that began in the Upper Thumb, from industrial breakthroughs and sports innovation to logging feats and food production.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we revisit the gripping true story of the 1924 Caseville forest fire. With high winds and dry weather fueling the blaze, a small Michigan town faced down disaster with grit, shovels, and community strength.
Hear how residents and neighbors fought to save Caseville, Oak Beach, and beyond. It's a tale of bravery, quick thinking, and one narrow escape after another. This historical flashback is packed with drama—and just the right amount of sass.
To read the full story, check out Flashback - The Heroic Battle to Save Caseville, Michigan from a Raging Forest Fire - 1924
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we recount the harrowing collision between the passenger steamer City of Cleveland III and the freighter Ravnefjeel off the coast of Harbor Beach in 1950.
Through survivor accounts, local headlines, and historical context, we revisit a deadly fog-shrouded morning that left three dead, one missing, and a community in mourning. This little-remembered incident offers a sobering look at how quickly disaster can unfold on the Great Lakes—and how the echoes of that day still reach us 75 years later.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we revisit the tragic crash of Capital Airlines Flight 67 near Midland.
The disaster claimed 47 lives and exposed critical gaps in mid-century aviation safety. Hear eyewitness accounts, explore the investigation, and learn how one crash reshaped U.S. airline procedures. This is the story of a flight that never made it home—and the changes it forced across the skies.
For more on this story, check out Capital Airlines Flight 67 Crash: The Disaster That Shook Mid-Michigan – April 1958
Dive into the intriguing history of Michigan’s Pontiac, Oxford & Northern Railroad, affectionately known as the Polly Ann.
Running through the Thumb region from 1889 to 1984, the Polly Ann was crucial for local agriculture and industry, from beans and sugar beets to gravel for construction.
Discover how this struggling railway shaped communities, transformed into a recreational trail, and left lasting landmarks in Caseville, Michigan. Join us on this nostalgic journey along one of Michigan's most endearing railways.
Beneath the waters of Michigan’s Thumb lie hundreds of shipwrecks—silent remains of steamers, barges, and schooners that met their end in Lake Huron.
In this episode, we share the gripping stories of five lost vessels, from deadly collisions to ghost ship mysteries. Featuring the 1893 collision of the Philadelphia and Albany, the strange fate of the Caprice, and shallow wrecks you can visit today, this episode takes you to the edge of history—and under the waves.
Got your own shipwreck story? Connect with us on social media or leave a comment.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we trace the long, colorful life of Port Austin’s iconic Lakeside Inn — a building that began as Huron County’s temporary courthouse in the 1860s and ended in a fiery blaze more than a century later.
From its Prohibition-era notoriety as a raided speakeasy to its golden age in the 1930s under Charles Finzel, the Lakeside Inn was once the Thumb’s premier entertainment venue. Big bands, roller-skating, political rallies, and poetry readings filled its lakeside pavilion — affectionately known as “The Fun Center.”
But in July 1967, it all went up in smoke. Join us as we recount the story of a building that mirrored Michigan’s changing times — and left behind a legacy that still echoes through the village of Port Austin.
On a frigid December night in 1930, Elkton, Michigan, watched helplessly as its beloved schoolhouse rose in flames. The fire lit the sky for miles, consuming a building that had stood since 1903 and served generations of local students.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we recount the devastating blaze, the community's swift response, and how a small Thumb town came together to ensure education didn't stop—despite the loss. From improvised classrooms to a new state-of-the-art schoolhouse rising just months later, this is a story of loss, resolve, and rebuilding—and of the old school bell that rang one final time before falling silent forever.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we head back to 1894 and uncover the story of Bay Port, a once-thriving summer resort on Saginaw Bay. Promoted by the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad, Bay Port drew wealthy travelers from Chicago, Cincinnati, and St. Louis looking for fresh air, first-class lodging, and a break from the grime of big cities.
Bay Port was no ordinary stop, with electric bells in every room, a mineral well said to have healing powers, and a casino for dancing and bowling. So what happened to this ambitious lakeside resort? And why did it vanish from memory?
Join us for a trip back in time to Michigan’s Thumb and a look at one of the state’s lost vacation hotspots.
From Civil War-era origins to the modern day, the Smith-Culhane House in Port Austin stands as a quiet witness to Michigan's evolving story. In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we visit the historic Victorian home at the tip of the Thumb. Once a grand residence during the lumber boom, the home later transformed into a B&B and has now returned to private ownership. Join us as we explore the home's architecture, its many roles, and the lives of those who shaped its legacy.
The Smith-Culhane House, a 150-year-old Victorian home in Port Austin, Michigan, reflects the region’s lumber boom heritage. Once a family residence, it now serves as a private home after being revived into a Bed and Breakfast, preserving local history and architecture.
The Upper Thumb has been deemed the “Closer Up North” for Southeast Michigan and Detroit. Sandy beaches, great fishing, parks, and some of the friendliest proprietors around.
Huron County is a great place to steal a weekend away from the "burbs" of Detroit without busting your wallet.
Explore the best beaches in Charlevoix, MI, for a perfect family getaway. Unwind on the shores of Lake Michigan, Lake Charlevoix, and Torch Lake, each offering unique experiences. Enjoy activities, amenities, and stunning views that create lasting memories.
We journey through Southwest Michigan’s inland lakes – where each one presents a unique canvas of tranquil beauty and boundless adventure. From fishing to boating, these freshwater wonderlands offer a refreshing escape for outdoor enthusiasts. Discover the vibrant communities, picturesque parks, and annual festivals that make these lakes a must-visit destination.
George W. Jenks, a figure of significance in the Michigan Thumb region, lived a life intertwined with history. From his early days as a Civil War soldier to his prosperous business endeavors, Jenks made an indelible mark. This article delves into his life, highlighting his service and entrepreneurial spirit providing insights into a fascinating chapter of Michigan’s past.
We explore the intriguing life of Jeremiah Jenks, a Michigan pioneer whose vision transformed the Thumb region. His story is a blend of entrepreneurship and community, shaping the very heart of Michigan’s history.
We found Carl Heisterman’s life, a riveting story of a Prussian translator who shaped Michigan’s early days. From battlefields, founder of early Bay Port and political arenas, his journey is an amazing story of the diverse fabric of 19th-century America.
Dive into the rich history of Wenona Beach Amusement Park, once dubbed the Coney Island of the Great Lakes. Discover its rise to fame, iconic attractions, and why it eventually had to close its doors. A must-listen for history buffs and Michigan locals alike.
Affectionately known as "The Great Lakes State," given that it is flanked by four of the U.S.’s great lakes, Michigan is anything but average. Enjoy a trip to Michigan to experience some of North America's unique experiences, scenery, and attractions.
When we think of Michigan, we immediately think of lighthouses, beautiful historic downtowns, and covered bridges. Mix it all together, and you have the perfect plan for an excellent road trip.
Grave robbing was a gruesome yet common crime in the late 1800s as medical schools sought bodies for study. We found five stories about grave robbing in Michigan. Read the full story at https://thumbwind.com/2022/09/15/grave-robbers/
Should You Stop Using Them Now if You Have These Vintage Corelle Dishes in Your Cottage, Camper, or Cabin? - We love our vintage Corelle dishes. They are the same brand that I had growing up as a kid. However, we will be getting rid of them ASAP. Here is why.
Michigan is known for being full of many activities for tourists. We found some weird Michigan attractions that may raise eyebrows, they are weird in a good way.
If you plan or consider a trip to this state, researching things to do is essential. Here are seven unique Michigan attractions you can visit on your next visit to the Great Lakes state.
Summer is just around the corner, bringing the scent of adventure and the possibility of summer road trips. Michigan is full of destinations for all seasons, the Great Lake state offering lots of fun and picturesque spots for a perfect summer road trip. So whether you are looking for an IG-worthy stopover, a great food trip—or beer or wine place—or fun and action-packed itinerary, here are ten stopovers you should check out for your Michigan summer road trip. From the post https://thumbwind.com/2022/05/11/summer-road-trips/
Dreaming of another summer on the water? Thinking of new places to sail and explore? These unique Great Lakes sailing destinations offer so much to see and do.
Known for its beautiful lakes and beautiful sights, Michigan is also famous for serving some of the best foods in the Midwest region of the USA. No trip to Michigan can be complete without trying out some of the famous foods in the area. Known for its comfort foods, the Mitten state is famous for re-creating regular dishes by adding a twist to them like the Detroit-style pizza, Olive Burgers and Coney Dog. Its home-grown foods like cherries and Michigan apples also make Michigan a tasty food destination.
Less than a two-hour drive from Sarnia, Michigan’s Upper Thumb offers close-to-home, up-north family fun. With over 100 miles of sandy beaches, hopping port towns, and a seemingly endless choice of festivals, fairs, and events. The tip of the thumb is the natural choice for Southwest Ontario to seek out a summer day of fun.
During 2020 the entire Great Lakes broke record water level records. This affected businesses, homes, cottages, and tourism. Each month Thumbwind provides a summary update compiled from various reports of the Army Corps of Engineers - Detroit District. Here is the latest update.
Today, we have a travel log of a small town in the upper thumb of Michigan. Harbor Beach lies on the sunrise side of the eastern shore of Lake Huron. It is a small town with a huge harbor. It’s a neat place to visit and we want to reveal some of the things you can do here.
Bishop Frederic Baraga was the first bishop of Marquette. For 37 years, he was a missionary priest among the Indians and settlers in the Upper Great Lakes. His presence shaped the region, and he is revered for his defending Native American lands during treaty land acquisition by the U.S. Government.
During the late 1800s, there was a movement by wealthy barons in Europe to establish Jewish colonies all over the world. In 1883 the Hebrew Relief Society of Detroit, assisted by the Baron de Hirsch Committee, settled a colony of Russian Jews in the Thumb. This new Michigan Jewish Colony was located about five miles northeast of Bad Axe. They called their settlement the Palestine Colony.
A tale about a winter ice fishing Fishtown settlement on the ice on Saginaw Bay, on Lake Huron in the 1870s.
This week we have two short tales from the Upper Thumb of Michigan. The first is about the famous, and sacred landmark called White Rock. It was a landmark used by Native Americans for 100's of years in Lake Huron and has an interesting history today. The second is about the Michigan Salt production industry when the state led the nation in refined salt production. So sit back, relax, and enjoy our stories from the End of the Road in Michigan.
This episode covers two well known Indian trails in Michigan. The St Joseph Trail which runs east-west from Ann Arbor to Niles, Michigan, and the Saginaw Trail which starts in Detroit and ends in the former native American village know as Saginaw. Today both of these former trial are now major highways and the location of the Detroit Dream Cruise.
Today’s we have two tales about the native American history in the Upper Thumb of Michigan. Prior to European settlement, the Thumb region was considered a rich hunting and gathering area for the Anishinaabe, and the area was highly fought over. One tale is about Chief Standing Oak and the great battle near Sebewaing and the other is about the Sand Ridge Indian trail, which is part of today's M-25.
Today’s tale is about the history of Pointe Aux Barques Michigan, a summer cottage resort community built by a railroad executive in the 1890s.
Near the tip of the eastern side of Michigan’s thumb, lays a small cluster of neatly appointed cottages and mobile homes. Some have a commanding view of Lake Huron. This neighborhood is situated near a creek called New River. There is a street with a neat name Tip O Thumb Drive. It describes the neighborhood perfectly. It’s almost idyllic. The question is, did someone develop this as a neighborhood during the cottage boom after World War II? Surprisingly this cottage retirement community is way older than that.
On the eastern edge of Michigan’s Thumb lies a lonely and very rocky cove on the shore of Lake Huron. It’s hard to imagine that this beautiful remote setting was the site for criminal activity during the time of Michigan Prohibition for over 12 years. Here is the story.
This week we take you back to when shipping was the only way to luxuriously travel across the Great Lakes. We look at cruise ship travel from the mid-1800s until its near end, in the 1950s. Now that cruising the Great Lakes is making a comeback, this is a story you might want to hear before you venture out.
Port Crescent State Park is one of the largest state parks in southern Michigan. Located at the tip of Michigan’s “Thumb”, along three miles of sandy shoreline of Lake Huron, the park offers excellent camping, fishing, canoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing, birding, and hunting opportunities. However, a little-known aspect of this park, is that it sits on the location of a ghost town
It's considered one of the most amazing sites in the Upper Thumb. Carved over time, by the force of constant wave action, the soft limestone has been shaped to its namesake and separated from the mainland over thousands of years. CNN called it, one of the Most Amazing Rock Formations in America.
This week, we will be covering two shorter stories taken from Thumbwind. The first is about the Port Austin Air Force station that operated in the Upper Thumb during the cold war. The second is about the Thumb’s first major industry in Grindstone City.
This story about the 1881 Michigan Fire is one of our most viewed from our website. 138 years ago, over a series of several days, a devastating fire overtook the Thumb. This story offers a synopsis of the days of that horrific event and its aftermath.
Michigan small towns have a special place in the hearts of their inhabitants. However, some towns slowly fade from their once-busy streets to a scene resembling a stopped clock. No longer functional, but certainly recognizable. One such town is Huron City, Michigan. This is a spot where you can find original furniture, decorating a home as it looked over 150 years ago, and browse in a store as it looked and was stocked in the early to mid-1900s. It's a charming example of the late nineteenth-century architecture and provides fine samples of functional buildings of the period that are slowly being torn down.
This short story is about how Port Austin, a sleepy little town at the tip of Michigan’s Thumb, is transforming itself into a unique destination for Kayakers, Tourist, and Artists.
The 20th President of the United States, James Garfield, did not build or own this 1850s landmark Inn in Port Austin, Michigan. But he was a rather frequent visitor. The fascinating history of the Inn really resides with the family that built the house, Charles and Maria Learned.
There it sits — a lush tree-lined island on the horizon of Saginaw Bay. Big and Little Charity Islands are ten miles from the western shore of Michigan’s Thumb. Except for a couple of seasonal residents who live and host tours at the lighthouse keepers house, the island is uninhabited. These islands are considered, by the US Fish and Wildlife Services, has one of the more remote and least visited islands in the Michigan Island National Wildlife Sanctuary. Visitors are few due to the bolder filled and treacherous shallow waters that surround the island. Yet Charity Island has a fascinating history with its isolation and remoteness in a busy Saginaw Bay.
Isle Royale is considered one of the most remote, and isolated U.S. National Parks in the lower 48 states. Traveling here is not for the faint of heart, because what it lacks for comfort, it makes up for in its natural beauty and innocence. It's rugged. That does not mean to say that if you're over the age of 50 that you can’t venture to this pristine island in the northwestern edge of Lake Superior.
When you think of island hopping, your mind turns to swaying palm trees, seaside tiki huts, and white sand beaches. However, with over 35,000 islands, the salt, and shark-free Great Lakes offers some of the most inviting, and unique chances for island exploring anywhere in the world. Some of these magnificent island destinations are only accessible by boat, or floatplane, while others offer regularly scheduled ferry services. Here are the choice island destinations, above and beyond Michigan’s famous Mackinac Island.