Mikel B. Classen – Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan
Author, Photographer, and Historian
Recipient of the Historical Society of Michigan’s, 2020 George Follo Award for Upper Peninsula History
News From Mikel: 4/5/2026 – The season for appearing at events is beginning. I will be once again doing appearances around the state. Follow my calendar of events to see if I’m going to be somewhere near. I’m also still adding new dates all the time. I always have copies of my books with me and if you’ve purchased a copy from somewhere like your local bookstore, feel free to bring it by for me to sign it. Because I was injured last year, I’ve adopted a lighter schedule this year, but there are still plenty of opportunities to catch me in the Upper and Lower parts of the state. See you on the road.
My bookstore has occasionally malfunctioned. I believe it is working correctly but if there are any problems using it, please let me know at the email address below. Thank-you.
If anyone is interested in having me sell and sign books at an event or give a talk on U.P. history, send an email to mikelclassen@mikelbclassen.com
Latest Posts
Shooting the Rapids with the Ojibwa
Sault Ste. Marie’s Whitewater Adventure Sault Ste. Marie and the rapids of the St. Mary’s River provided an obstacle to Lake Superior. The cataracts of the river cascaded for a mile and no large ships could make it over them. For the local Native Americans, this was no object. Using their canoes, they would fish…
Attacked by a Swarm of Snakes – Pembine
Snakes, Why’d It Have To Be Snakes. Found in the Sault News picked up from Iron Mountain Gazette, 9/25/1901. The following snake story comes from Pembine says the Iron Mountain Gazette: “Mr. McCormick, a foreman on the Soo railroad, and his crew were attacked by a swarm of snakes while digging out a culvert in…
Mackinac Island’s Fairy Arch – Lake Huron – Michigan
The Lost Stone Arch of Mackinac Island One of the popular attractions on Mackinac Island is the Arch Rock. This beautiful limestone formation is seen by most visitors to the Island, but at one time, there was another limestone arch formation called the “Fairy Arch.” The Fairy Arch was one of the Island’s must-see attractions…
Life of the S.S. Zenith City
This article contains never before seen photos of the Zenith City taken at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. They are part of the Mikel B. Classen Collection of Historical Pictures. The Zenith City was a classic freighter ship of its day. It sailed throughout the Great Lakes for many years, and was the longest ship of…
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