When Mackinac Island was a National Park by Mikel B. Classen. Photos from the Mikel Classen Historical Pictures Collection Every year Mackinac Island is inundated with tourists. The island in St. Ignace Bay has always been a focus of attention. After being the hub of the fur trade, the island saw a decline as fortunes … Continue reading Historical Pictures – Mackinac National Park 1875-1895
Travel
Historical Pictures – The First Soo Locks – The State Lock
The Soo Locks - The Early Years - 1855 - 1888 Pictures are from the Mikel Classen Historical Pictures Collection except portaging picture from sign. The Soo Locks began in 1855. They were dug so that ships would no longer have to either shoot the St. Mary's River Rapids, of have the ship portaged through … Continue reading Historical Pictures – The First Soo Locks – The State Lock
Rails and Rivers – Tahquamenon Falls Train and Riverboat Tours
Tahquamenon Falls Train and Riverboat Tours – Alias “Toonerville Trolley and Tom Sawyer Riverboat Ride Photos by Mikel B. Classen. Historical pictures courtesy of the Mikel Classen Historical Pictures Collection. As long as I can remember, the Toonerville Trolley and the Tahquamenon Falls Riverboat Tours has been at Soo Junction 15 miles east of Newberry. … Continue reading Rails and Rivers – Tahquamenon Falls Train and Riverboat Tours
Historical Photos – Whalebacks – Extinct Ships of the Great Lakes
Images are from my personal historical photos collection Whaleback ships were a unique design that was adopted to ship ore across the Great Lakes and particularly Lake Superior. Their shape was designed to lessen the impact of turbulent surf. When fully loaded they looked more like a submarine than a surface ship. They were used … Continue reading Historical Photos – Whalebacks – Extinct Ships of the Great Lakes
Garnet Lake – Garnet Ghost Town – A Paddle to the Past
Garnet Lake Campground – Finding a Lost Past in Mackinac County A Point North I came here on a whim. I didn’t know what to expect. The sign, “Garnet Lake State Forest Campground” had an arrow pointing down a sideroad. Those are the kinds of things that arouse my curiosity when I am cruising the … Continue reading Garnet Lake – Garnet Ghost Town – A Paddle to the Past
Historical Photographs – A trip through Pictured Rocks – 1892
A boat trip into Pictured Rocks in 1892 It seems that Pictured Rocks has always been an attraction throughout recorded history. The magnificent rock formations drew comment and admiration from the earliest explorers. People ventured into them braving Lake Superior for a just a look. Recently I found a few old stereoview pictures that were … Continue reading Historical Photographs – A trip through Pictured Rocks – 1892
Historical Photographs – Au Train Lake 1889 – Alger County Michigan – Upper Peninsula
Weekly historical photographs - Au Train Lake - U.P. camping in 1889 I recently purchased a small lot of old U.P. photos from the Marquette area. In it were these cabinet cards. Unlike most old photos I find, these were labeled and dated. The caption on the back reads: "The Palmer Camp, Au Train Lake, … Continue reading Historical Photographs – Au Train Lake 1889 – Alger County Michigan – Upper Peninsula
Journey on the Tahquamenon River
Journey on the Tahquamenon River - An adventure in Paradise we can all share A Point North Paradise, Michigan is mostly known for being the home of Tahquamenon Falls and the gateway to Whitefish Point and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. Most visitors check these two major attractions out and then head off to other … Continue reading Journey on the Tahquamenon River
Lake Superior Transit Company – Luxury Cruises Lost To Time
The Lake Superior Transit Company - Luxury Cruising the Great Lakes These are a couple of old pictures I received for my historical pictures collection. Unfortunately, I have been able to find out very little about this company or these ships. In 1878, they were already in heavy operation across all of the Great Lakes … Continue reading Lake Superior Transit Company – Luxury Cruises Lost To Time
The Rise and Fall of Lac La Belle, the Hidden Gem of Copper Country
Lac La Belle/ Bete Grise – Keweenaw County - Michigan A Point North By Mikel B. Classen The Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan is a rough and rugged place. It is full of ghost towns, abandoned mines, lighthouses, waterfalls, and remarkable beauty. The discovery of copper there, turned it into a thriving region that made millionaires … Continue reading The Rise and Fall of Lac La Belle, the Hidden Gem of Copper Country