Month: November 2024

Historical Photos – Upper Peninsula – Michigan – Republic, Curtis, Crystal Falls

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Milk delivery is harsh in a U.P. winter back in the day.

This is a milk delivery sled at Crystal Falls in winter.

Neboshshon Dairy winter delivery sleigh – Crystal Falls

This old picture from Crystal Falls shows the horse drawn winter delivery sleigh. The Neboshshon Dairy operated around  1900. The advertising on the side says “All cows tuberculum tested annually.” It’s Ayershire Milk is “Clean milk for clean people, good milk for good babies.” The delivery man is unidentified and the same for the photographer.

A rare photograph of a group camping near Curtis, Michigan on Manistique Lake in 1873.

A group sits around the campfire at Big Manistique Lake in Curtis, MI

Camping at Big Manistique Lake in 1873 – Curtis, MI

These people look like they are having a great time. This picture was dated 1873 and labeled that it was taken at Curtis on Big Manistique Lake. As to who these folks are? Nothing is said. On the left is a Native American family. One guy is holding a trout creel and his fish net is on his back. Another is smoking a long pipe while a guitar player strums a few tunes. The outdoors clothing shows the period perfectly. This is a gem and probably one of a kind.

This unknown building is located in Republic, Michigan. It was either an orphanage or a boarding house.

This is an old building from Republic, MI. The vintage architecture is worth noting. Its use was unknown.

Rare photo of Victorian Building – Republic, Michigan

This picture is from an old stereoview from the mining town of Republic. The building’s use isn’t told, but the figures in the picture are children. This makes me think this is either an orphanage, a school, or a boarding house. There is nothing to indicate its use.

Whalebacks were an early form of ore carrier that plied the Great Lakes for many years.

Whaleback barges docked at Sault Ste. Marie. These now extinct ships once were common on the Great Lakes.

Whaleback barges docked at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

These unusual ships are no extinct on the Great Lakes. These were made in Superior, Wisconsin, and were considered a better idea than shipping ores with schooners. At one time 44 of these ships sailed all through the lakes and delivered iron ore, coal, grain, and other commodities. Eventually they would be replaced by the modern ore freighter which still operates today.

If you enjoy these, check out my book “Faces, Places and Days Gone By.”