Until the early to mid–the 1800s, many of our country's highways were dirt and mud trails. A contemporary movement at the time advocated for the construction of timber roads, which would be a significant advance in transportation. These plank boards were put across the road on log foundations in various lengths, but the majority were eight feet long. The roadways were built for wagons and were 12 feet or wider. The plank roads were broader in downtown areas. The First Plank Roads in Michigan While the first plank road was constructed in New York, the first corporation chartered to build a ..read more

When it comes to the Great Lakes region's value to the United States and Canadian economies, its impact cannot be understated. Without a  viable and healthy Great Lakes, the economies of the two countries would suffer.  Freight, iron ore, agricultural products, and other cargo shipped on the Great Lakes in 2017 were valued at $15.2 billion.  The Great Lakes shipping industry supported 237,868 U.S. and Canadian jobs and generated $35 billion in economic activity. Over $14.2 billion in total personal wage and salary income and local expenditures. Over $8 billion in lo ..read more

Skoch3, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons The University of Michigan has been around for many years, giving them numerous great basketball seasons. Today we will be talking in-depth about the most extraordinary University of Michigan basketball team of all time, also known as the Fab Five. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the story.  Michigan's 1991 Recruiting Class The year was 1991 when Michigan had arguably some of the best players recruiting class in college basketball history, even up to 2021. This team consisted of Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ra ..read more

After two failed attempts at establishing an auto company, Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company on June 16, 1903. It was only seven years before Ford Motor’s founding that Henry had completed the development of his horseless carriage that he dubbed the Quadricycle, which spurred the Detroit Automobile Company's formation in 1899. In 1901 a company reorganization yielded the Henry Ford Company. However, within a  year, disputes with investors forced Ford to leave.  How Did Henry Ford Come to Manufacture Charcol? Ford founded a whole new company and immediately began producin ..read more

  Pony Parade in Front of Garber Buick in Bad Axe MI This shot was found in a stack of digital shots from our research. It appears to be a pony parade taken in Bad Axe, Michigan, in the 1930s.  The Garber Buick Company In the background, it shows the Garber Buick Company dealership. Its founder, Guy Garber, was an automotive pioneer. At age 23, Guy was mentored by Billy Durant, founder of General Motors. Durant asked Guy to organize a retail network, opening dealerships in Battle Creek and Saginaw. In 1910, Buick withdrew from the Saginaw market, and Guy, along wi ..read more

Porcupine Mountains logbooks offer a glimpse into personal park experiences. By KATIE URBAN Michigan Department of Natural Resources A wintry scene is shown from the Mirror Lake Cabin at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. (Dave Braithwaite photo) Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park comprises 60,000 acres of massive trees, rolling mountains, fabled shores, and everlasting memories. Also known as “the Porkies,” this western Upper Peninsula destination prides itself on the ideals of truly natural, wilderness beauty and keeping Michigan’s largest state park as wild as possi ..read more

By KATHLEEN LAVEY - Michigan Department of Natural Resources For decades, City of Detroit foresters industriously labored away in a quaint sawmill within Belle Isle Park, giving trees from streets and parks new life as usable wood after they were removed for road widening or death from disease, pests, or storms.   Shut down more than 40 years ago, the sawmill sat quiet and mostly forgotten, until 2014, when the Michigan Department of Natural Resources began managing the 982-acre island in the Detroit River as the state’s 102nd state park.  Now, the 80-year-old sawmill building is g ..read more

We ran across this unique picture postcard on Facebook. Due credit to Barry Holdship, who collects old photographs of the Upper Thumb.   Is the Daredevil Zingarella in Coney Island or Bad Axe? The daredevil Zingarella postcard is inscribed with Bad Axe Fair 1912 on the bottom. Doing some research, we found this image listed on eBay, but it is denoted as being from Coney Island Amusement Park in New York in1909. In the distance, we can see a tall domed building. If it was taken in Bad Axe, then I assume that to be the Huron County Courthouse. The tallest structure in town.  Si ..read more

 An Early Map of Michigan Shorty After Statehood The 1841 Michigan Map by H. S. Tanner is a unique print. Printed a few years after Michigan became a state this map shows many counties that no longer exist or have changed.  This rare map has an inset showing the western part of the Upper Peninsula and a travel table for Detroit Steam Boat Routes.  Michigan Was Still A Wild Wilderness This early map of Michigan, (Michigan was made a state in 1837),  shows little expansion north of the lower two rows of counties with only several recognized cities or towns: Benton, Coltrell ..read more

By BRAD PARSONS - Michigan Department of Natural Resources Michigan's non-motorized trails system has more than 3,000 miles dedicated to paved, gravel, and off-road single-track trails for bicyclists to enjoy 365 days a year. These public trails are situated in every region of Michigan at state parks, recreation areas, pathways, forests, and rail trails. Michigan's natural terrain, along with varied seasons and access to public trails, provides a unique experience for all cyclists. As a Michigan Department of Natural Resources videographer, I have the privilege to help document and ..read more