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Coloma Interurban Station

Built in 1910 by the Benton Harbor-St. Joe Railway and Light Company, this station served passengers and freight until 1928. The station’s transformer provided Coloma’s first source of...

Built in 1910 by the Benton Harbor-St. Joe Railway and Light Company, this station served passengers and freight until 1928. The station’s transformer provided Coloma’s first source of...

  • michigan
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Cooke Hydroelectric Plant

William Augustine Foote, a Jackson entrepreneur, built a series of hydroelectic plants along the Au Sable River with the help of his brother, electrical engineer James Berry Foote. The Footes...

William Augustine Foote, a Jackson entrepreneur, built a series of hydroelectic plants along the Au Sable River with the help of his brother, electrical engineer James Berry Foote. The...

  • michigan
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Beginning of State Reforestation

A concern over the depletion of Michigan’s forests led in 1899 to the creation of a forestry commission. In 1903 the first state forest was set up by the legislature on cutover, burned-over lands...

A concern over the depletion of Michigan’s forests led in 1899 to the creation of a forestry commission. In 1903 the first state forest was set up by the legislature on cutover, burned-over lands...

  • michigan
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Kempf House

Cast iron grilles in an ancient Greek floral motif highlight the frieze of this temple-front Greek Revival house. Built in 1853 for Henry D. Bennett, secretary and steward of the University of...

Cast iron grilles in an ancient Greek floral motif highlight the frieze of this temple-front Greek Revival house. Built in 1853 for Henry D. Bennett, secretary and steward of the University...

  • michigan
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Sault Ste. Marie

This city, the oldest in the Midwest, grew up about the mission of Fathers Dablon and Marquette, founded in 1668 on the banks of the rapids through which Lake Superior’s waters commence their long...

This city, the oldest in the Midwest, grew up about the mission of Fathers Dablon and Marquette, founded in 1668 on the banks of the rapids through which Lake Superior’s waters commence their...

  • michigan
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Birth of Kiwanis

Kiwanis International, one of the great service organizations of the world, had its origin on January 21, 1915. On this date the state of Michigan issued a charter to a group of business and...

Kiwanis International, one of the great service organizations of the world, had its origin on January 21, 1915. On this date the state of Michigan issued a charter to a group of business and...

  • michigan
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Fort Miami

Here, in November 1679, on the Miami River as the St. Joseph was then called, La Salle, the French explorer, built a fort as a base for his western explorations. He awaited the Griffon, the upper...

Here, in November 1679, on the Miami River as the St. Joseph was then called, La Salle, the French explorer, built a fort as a base for his western explorations. He awaited the Griffon, the...

  • michigan
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West Michigan Pike

At the turn of the twentieth century, deep ruts and sand made West Michigan roads nearly impassable. In 1911, the West Michigan Lakeshore Highway Association was founded to promote the...

At the turn of the twentieth century, deep ruts and sand made West Michigan roads nearly impassable. In 1911, the West Michigan Lakeshore Highway Association was founded to promote...

  • michigan
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Michigan's First Jewish Cemetery Site

At this site the first Jewish cemetery in Michigan was established in 1848-49. The Jews Society of Ann Arbor acquired burial rights to this land adjacent to what was then the public cemetery....

At this site the first Jewish cemetery in Michigan was established in 1848-49. The Jews Society of Ann Arbor acquired burial rights to this land adjacent to what was then the public...

  • michigan
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Under the Oaks

On July 6, 1854, a state convention of antislavery men was held in Jackson to found a new political party. Uncle Tom’s Cabin had been published two years earlier, causing increased resentment...

On July 6, 1854, a state convention of antislavery men was held in Jackson to found a new political party. Uncle Tom’s Cabin had been published two years earlier, causing increased...

  • michigan
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Return of Kirtland´s Warbler, The

The Kirtland’s warbler was first identified in 1851 from a specimen collected on Dr. Jared Kirtland’s Ohio farm. The birds originally depended on fire-created young jack pine forests for summer...

The Kirtland’s warbler was first identified in 1851 from a specimen collected on Dr. Jared Kirtland’s Ohio farm. The birds originally depended on fire-created young jack pine forests for summer...

  • michigan
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Treaty Of Spring Wells / Treaty of Spring Wells

After the War of 1812, Territorial Governor Lewis Cass recognized the need to ease tensions between the United States and the Native Peoples who had allied with the British during the war. He...

After the War of 1812, Territorial Governor Lewis Cass recognized the need to ease tensions between the United States and the Native Peoples who had allied with the British during the war. He...

  • michigan
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S. S. Pere Marquette 18

At least twenty-nine persons died when this vessel sank in Lake Michigan twenty miles off the Wisconsin coast on September 9, 1910. One of the Ludington carferry fleet, the 350-foot S. S. Pere...

At least twenty-nine persons died when this vessel sank in Lake Michigan twenty miles off the Wisconsin coast on September 9, 1910. One of the Ludington carferry fleet, the 350-foot S. S....

  • michigan
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Petite Pointe Au Sable Lighthouse / Petite Pointe Au Sable Lighthouse

Here the Petite Pointe Au Sable (little point of sand) juts into Lake Michigan. Increased shipping on the lake started after the Civil War, largely due to the expanding lumber industry....

Here the Petite Pointe Au Sable (little point of sand) juts into Lake Michigan. Increased shipping on the lake started after the Civil War, largely due to the expanding lumber...

  • michigan
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Beaumont Memorial / American Fur Company Store

On June 6, 1822, Alexis St. Martin (1804-1880), a French Canadian, was accidentally shot in the stomach at this American Fur Company retail store. Dr. William Beaumont, M.D. (1786-1853), army...

On June 6, 1822, Alexis St. Martin (1804-1880), a French Canadian, was accidentally shot in the stomach at this American Fur Company retail store. Dr. William Beaumont, M.D. (1786-1853),...

  • michigan
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The Buick Open

One year after Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club opened in 1957, Waldo McNaught used his unique position as club president and public relations director of the Buick Motor Division of the...

One year after Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club opened in 1957, Waldo McNaught used his unique position as club president and public relations director of the Buick Motor Division of...

  • michigan
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Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal

This canal, conceived at the peak of the era of canal-building, was part of Michigan’s internal improvements program which was announced in 1837. The Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal would make it possible...

This canal, conceived at the peak of the era of canal-building, was part of Michigan’s internal improvements program which was announced in 1837. The Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal would make it...

  • michigan
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Furniture Industry

The first cabinet maker in Grand Rapids was William Haldane, who in 1837 set up a shop in his home at the corner of Pearl and Ottawa Streets. During the ensuing decades Grand Rapids attracted...

The first cabinet maker in Grand Rapids was William Haldane, who in 1837 set up a shop in his home at the corner of Pearl and Ottawa Streets. During the ensuing decades Grand Rapids...

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Village of Cash

Named after early settler Edward Cash, the village of Cash was founded in 1851. In 1868, seven Cash residents voted to found Watertown Township to govern and serve the quickly growing area. Each...

Named after early settler Edward Cash, the village of Cash was founded in 1851. In 1868, seven Cash residents voted to found Watertown Township to govern and serve the quickly growing area....

  • michigan
  • michigan his...

Hartland Burying Ground / Hartland Burying Ground

The first burial in this cemetery occurred in 1840 upon the death of Thomas Hall, a Hartland Township pioneer. Chauncey L. and Robert C. Crouse, who platted the village of Hartland in 1842,...

The first burial in this cemetery occurred in 1840 upon the death of Thomas Hall, a Hartland Township pioneer. Chauncey L. and Robert C. Crouse, who platted the village of Hartland in...

  • michigan
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