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History of Michigan, USA
Journey back in time to Michigan, USA
Visit Michigan, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.




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Michigan is first in the United States production of peat and magnesium compounds and second in gypsum and iron ore.
Michigan is the only place in the world with a floating post office. The J.W. Westcott II is the only boat in the world that delivers mail to ships while they are still underway. They have been operating for 125 years.
50states.com
"The state takes its name from Lake Michigan. Michigan is a French derivative of the Ojibwa word misshikama (mish-ih-GAH-muh), which translates to "big lake," "large lake" or "large water."" mentalfloss.com
There is MUCH more to discover about Michigan, USA. Read on!
Discover Michigan: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1805 - Michigan Territory created, seat of government established in Detroit; much of Detroit destroyed by fire
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
1835 - Conflict with Ohio (Toledo War) over border; Ohio granted lands around Toledo, Michigan received entire Upper Peninsula
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
1837 - Michigan became 26th U. S. state
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
1847 - November 21 - Steamer "Phoenix" is lost on Lake Michigan, kills 200
onthisday.com
November 21, 1847
onthisday.com
November 21, 1847
1855 - Soo Canal and Locks opened, linked Lake Superior with Lake Huron
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
1881 - September 5 - Great "Thumb Fire" (Huron Fire) killed 282 people, damages $2,347,000, was first natural disaster served by American Red Cross (Michigan)
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
September 5, 1881
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
September 5, 1881
1881 - September 6 - Forest fires in Michigan and Ontario resulted in 'Yellow Day' in the northeastern U.S.
Twenty villages in Michigan burned, and a total of 500 persons were killed. Fires caused 2.3 million dollars in losses near Lake Huron. Candles were needed at the noon hour.
WeatherForYou.com
September 6, 1881
Twenty villages in Michigan burned, and a total of 500 persons were killed. Fires caused 2.3 million dollars in losses near Lake Huron. Candles were needed at the noon hour.
WeatherForYou.com
September 6, 1881
1890 - June 12 – In Michigan, the wooden steamer Ryan is lost near Thunder Bay Island.
wikipedia.org
June 12, 1890
wikipedia.org
June 12, 1890
1891 - A Turtle Dropped from the Clouds
There is much curiosity manifested in Genoa, Mich., about the starting point of a five-inch turtle, which dropped from the clouds about that place during a recent thunder storm. It landed upon its back, with a loud noise, in a small pool before the home of Fred Fless, one mile from Long lake. On several occasions within the past few years showers of angle worms and small fish have fallen in the same vicinity.
The Topeka Daily Capital
Topeka, Kansas
Wed, September 23, 1891
There is much curiosity manifested in Genoa, Mich., about the starting point of a five-inch turtle, which dropped from the clouds about that place during a recent thunder storm. It landed upon its back, with a loud noise, in a small pool before the home of Fred Fless, one mile from Long lake. On several occasions within the past few years showers of angle worms and small fish have fallen in the same vicinity.
The Topeka Daily Capital
Topeka, Kansas
Wed, September 23, 1891
1895 - Michigan
Michigan, mish'e-gan (formerly mish-e-gān'), one the upper Lake states of the American Union, consisting two detached peninsulas, of which the northernmost Lake Superior on the N., Tequamenon Bay and the ri St. Mary on the E., Lakes Huron and Michigan on the and the state of Wisconsin on the S.W.; while the souernmost is bounded on the E. by Lakes HIuron, St. Clair, Erie, and the rivers St. Clair and Detroit, on the W. Lake Michigan, and on the S. by the states of Ohio and Indiana, its northern angle reaching the Strait of Mackinac which divides it from the N. peninsula. The state also includes several islands, of which the largest are Isle Roy and Grand Island in Lake Superior, Drummond and Su?, Islands in Lake Huron, and the Manitou group in Lt? Michigan. Area, 58,915 square miles.
Population.—In 1810 the population was 4762; in 1820, 8896; in 1830, 31,639; in 1840,212,267; in 1850, 397,654; in 1860, 749,113; in 1870, 1,184,059; in 1880, 1,636,937; in 1890, 2,093,889. The number... Read MORE...
Michigan, mish'e-gan (formerly mish-e-gān'), one the upper Lake states of the American Union, consisting two detached peninsulas, of which the northernmost Lake Superior on the N., Tequamenon Bay and the ri St. Mary on the E., Lakes Huron and Michigan on the and the state of Wisconsin on the S.W.; while the souernmost is bounded on the E. by Lakes HIuron, St. Clair, Erie, and the rivers St. Clair and Detroit, on the W. Lake Michigan, and on the S. by the states of Ohio and Indiana, its northern angle reaching the Strait of Mackinac which divides it from the N. peninsula. The state also includes several islands, of which the largest are Isle Roy and Grand Island in Lake Superior, Drummond and Su?, Islands in Lake Huron, and the Manitou group in Lt? Michigan. Area, 58,915 square miles.
Population.—In 1810 the population was 4762; in 1820, 8896; in 1830, 31,639; in 1840,212,267; in 1850, 397,654; in 1860, 749,113; in 1870, 1,184,059; in 1880, 1,636,937; in 1890, 2,093,889. The number... Read MORE...
1904 - An interesting request
A Michigan woman who has had a husband in the state penitentiary for about five years is evidently getting lonely. She wrote to the governor as follows: "Pleeze your majesty let him cum home, if for no other reason than to see his three children which has been born since he left."
The Argus
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
October 8, 1904
A Michigan woman who has had a husband in the state penitentiary for about five years is evidently getting lonely. She wrote to the governor as follows: "Pleeze your majesty let him cum home, if for no other reason than to see his three children which has been born since he left."
The Argus
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
October 8, 1904
1908 - First Ford Model T manufactured; General Motors founded (Michigan)
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
1925 - June 6 – The Chrysler Corporation is founded by Walter Percy Chrysler.
wikipedia.org
June 6, 1925
wikipedia.org
June 6, 1925
1927 - December 2 – Following 19 years of Ford Model T production, the Ford Motor Company unveils the Ford Model A as its new automobile.
wikipedia.org
December 2, 1927
wikipedia.org
December 2, 1927
1929 - Ambassador Bridge opened between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario (longest bridge in world when built)
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
February 9, 1934 - The mercury dipped to 51 degrees below zero at Vanderbilt to establish a record for the state of Michigan.
WeatherForYou.com
February 9, 1934
WeatherForYou.com
February 9, 1934
1941 - Bounty Hunting
In Michigan, a 1941 act titled “An act to provide for the payment of bounties for the killing of starlings and crows,” offered any citizen a bounty of three cents per each starling killed and ten cents per crow—so long as they were presented in “a state of good preservation.” The law was repealed in 2006.
rd.com
In Michigan, a 1941 act titled “An act to provide for the payment of bounties for the killing of starlings and crows,” offered any citizen a bounty of three cents per each starling killed and ten cents per crow—so long as they were presented in “a state of good preservation.” The law was repealed in 2006.
rd.com
1957 - Mackinac Bridge "Big Mac" opened
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ mitimeln.htm
2023 - Michigan has something for everyone. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in the Great Lakes State:
Visit the Motor City, Detroit:
Explore the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village to learn about America's industrial history.
Check out the Detroit Institute of Arts, home to an impressive collection of art from around the world.
Don't miss the Motown Museum, where you can learn about the history of Motown music.
Catch a game at one of Detroit's professional sports stadiums, like Comerica Park (baseball) or Ford Field (football).
Hike in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore:
This stunning area along Lake Superior's shoreline features colorful sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and clear blue waters. Hiking trails offer breathtaking views.
Explore Mackinac Island:
Take a ferry to this charming island where cars are banned, and transportation is by horse-drawn carriage or bicycle.
Visit the historic Grand Hotel, bike around the island, and enjoy the famous fudge.
Go Wine Tasting in Traverse City:
The Traverse City area is known for its vineyards and wineries. ... Read MORE...
Visit the Motor City, Detroit:
Explore the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village to learn about America's industrial history.
Check out the Detroit Institute of Arts, home to an impressive collection of art from around the world.
Don't miss the Motown Museum, where you can learn about the history of Motown music.
Catch a game at one of Detroit's professional sports stadiums, like Comerica Park (baseball) or Ford Field (football).
Hike in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore:
This stunning area along Lake Superior's shoreline features colorful sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and clear blue waters. Hiking trails offer breathtaking views.
Explore Mackinac Island:
Take a ferry to this charming island where cars are banned, and transportation is by horse-drawn carriage or bicycle.
Visit the historic Grand Hotel, bike around the island, and enjoy the famous fudge.
Go Wine Tasting in Traverse City:
The Traverse City area is known for its vineyards and wineries. ... Read MORE...
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NOTE: If you don't know your ancestor's whole name or are unsure of the spelling, specify part of the name.Updated: 9/18/2023 6:50:32 PM