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: 5/7/2026 – New update! I have just had my new Yooper History Hunter book, Grand Island, Island of History and Mystery just released. This is a history and exploration guide similar to my Old Victoria, Yooper History Hunter #1 book. These books are not only meant to be interesting reading but also guides to what Grand Island has to offer for those intrepid enough to explore it. Here’s a link to the just released book. Grand Island: Island of History and Mystery: Classen, Mikel B: 9798896561262: Amazon.com: Books
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
The Detour Michigan Sawmill Caper – A Bit of Piracy
The Sawmill Escapade In 1890 there were four brothers named Moiles, John, George, Henry, and James. They were from Saginaw, Michigan and set up a large sawmill in Detour, Michigan. The four brothers invested everything and carried a large debt. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to secure enough logs to make the sawmill profitable even though…
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…
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