# Thumbwind > News History & Fun in Michigan ## Posts - [Best Places to Visit in Canada Near Detroit & Michigan](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/11/best-places-to-visit-in-canada-near-detroit-michigan/): The Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia recently overtook the Ambassador Bridge as the busiest point for cross-border trade in North America. This shift... - [Bad Axe, MI Travel Guide: History & Local Attractions](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/10/bad-axe-mi-travel-guide-history-local-attractions/): In 1861, surveyor Captain Rudolph Papst stumbled upon a discarded, rusted tool at a deserted hunting camp and decided the site needed a name. He... - [History of Fitchburg Michigan - Why a Busy Farm Village Grew Quiet](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/10/history-of-fitchburg-michigan/): The History of Fitchburg Michigan follows a sawmill village that served Ingham County farms with stores, blacksmiths, a church and a school. Better roads and machinery later weakened its business center while nearby farms became more productive. - [History of Maple City: A Guide to the Traverse City Area](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/10/history-of-maple-city-a-guide-to-the-traverse-city-area/): Long before it became a quiet residential hub in Leelanau County, Maple City was known to Michigan loggers and laborers simply as "Peg... - [Before Michigan Had Towns: 10 Indigenous Villages, Fish Camps and Farm Earthworks](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/09/indigenous-settlements-in-michigan/): Long before Michigan had county seats and surveyed townships, Native communities had villages, fishing stations, sugar camps, farm fields, trade routes and ceremonial places across the Great Lakes. The record is especially rich around Saginaw Bay and the Thumb. - [Best Live Lake Erie Webcams: Detroit & SE Michigan Views](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/08/best-live-lake-erie-webcams-detroit-se-michigan-views/): Lake Erie is the shallowest and most volatile of the Great Lakes, where a sudden shift in wind direction can transform a calm morning into a wall of... - [Michigan Plug-In Solar: 7 Critical Facts That Could Help Cut High Electric Bills](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/08/michigan-plug-in-solar-hb-5764/): Michigan plug-in solar could give homeowners and renters a cheaper way to generate electricity without a costly rooftop system. HB 5764 would remove advance utility approval for qualifying systems, but lawmakers face questions about electrical safety, utility rules, consumer savings and how the technology fits Michigan homes. - [Port Hope ABC Day Returns Aug. 15 With Decoy Shed Dedication, Car Show and Bean Soup](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/08/port-hope-abc-day/): Port Hope ABC Day returns Saturday, Aug. 15, with a mix of local history and small-town tradition. This year’s celebration includes a historic duck decoy shed dedication, vintage cars, bean soup, museum tours, outdoor vendors and a vintage base ball game along Lake Huron. - [Bay City Mural Festival Brings 6 Days of Art, Music and Community Painting](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/08/bay-city-mural-festival/): The Bay City Mural Festival returns Aug. 11-16 with six days of public art, community painting and youth activities. The festival's featured Paint the Park celebration Aug. 13 will include live music, food, fundraising events and opportunities for residents to help create new artwork. - [Huron Community Fair 2026 - Midway Changes Highlight Bad Axe's Beloved 158th Fair](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/06/huron-community-fair-2026/): Huron Community Fair 2026 returns to Bad Axe Aug. 9-15 with livestock shows, rides, live music, ATV racing, truck races and a Saturday rodeo. BAD AXE, Mich. — The Huron Community Fair returns to Bad Axe this weekend with something noticeably different before anyone gets near the livestock barns, midway or grandstand: the dates have moved. The 158th fair officially runs Sunday, Aug. 9, through Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Huron County Fairgrounds. Agricultural activity begins Saturday, Aug. 8, with livestock check-ins, harness racing at 2 p.m. and a horse show at 5 p.m. Huron Community Fair schedule shifts after a […] - [Michigan Dark Sky Parks: A 2026 Guide to the State’s Best Stargazing Locations](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/06/michigan-dark-sky-parks-a-2026-guide-to-the-states-best-stargazing-locations/): Driving six hours to the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula doesn't guarantee a view of the Milky Way if you aren't prepared for the logistical realities... - [Barnes-Hecker Mine Disaster - 51 Men Lost in Michigan’s Deadliest Underground Catastrophe](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/06/barnes-hecker-mine-disaster/): The Barnes-Hecker Mine Disaster struck near Ishpeming on Nov. 3, 1926, when a collapse sent water, mud and rock into the underground workings. Fifty-one men died. Only Wilfred Wills escaped, climbing an 800-foot ladder as the mine filled beneath him. - [Best Boating Lakes in Michigan: From Inland Gems to Great Lakes Harbors](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/05/best-boating-lakes-in-michigan-from-inland-gems-to-great-lakes-harbors/): A 20-foot pontoon that handles beautifully on Higgins Lake can become a dangerous liability the moment it hits the unpredictable chop of Saginaw Bay.... - [Tri-City Dragway Car Show to Bring 700 Classic Vehicles to Freeland](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/05/tri-city-dragway-car-show/): About 700 classic cars, hot rods and vintage dragsters are expected at the Tri-City Dragway Car Show on Aug. 8 at MBS International Airport in Freeland. - [Saginaw Bay’s Northern Arc: Five Towns Along Michigan’s Working Shore](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/04/saginaw-bay-history-northern-arc/): Follow five towns along northern Saginaw Bay where timber, rivers, railroads, gypsum, cheese and tourism shaped local life. This Michigan history hub gathers videos, photographs, supporting articles and travel stops from Pinconning through Omer, Au Gres and Alabaster to Tawas Bay. - [Michigan State Campgrounds: A Guide to DNR Systems and Regional Favorites](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/04/michigan-state-campgrounds-a-guide-to-dnr-systems-and-regional-favorites/): If you wait until the snow melts to book your summer stay at Michigan state campgrounds, you've already lost the best sites to planners who started... - [15-Year-Old Killed in Early-Morning E-Bike Crash Near Bad Axe](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/03/bad-axe-e-bike-crash-teen-death/): A 15-year-old boy died after his e-bike struck a cable across a business driveway in Verona Township. Police said the riders had no lights and were traveling faster than 25 mph. - [Michigan's Southern Thumb Crossroads - Travel 6 Small Towns Built by Railroads, Farms and Fire](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/03/michigan-southern-thumb-history/): Six small Michigan towns once depended on two intersecting railroad routes. This Southern Thumb history hub brings together Michigan Moments videos, rare photographs and supporting articles about Marlette, Clifford, North Branch, Mayville, Kingston and Silverwood, tracing their shift from lumber settlements to farm communities today. - [How to Visit Turnip Rock in Port Austin, Michigan](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/03/how-to-visit-turnip-rock-in-port-austin-michigan/): A trip to see Turnip Rock in Michigan requires more than just a GPS destination. The iconic formation, located off the shore of Port Austin at the... - [History of Silverwood Michigan - 12 Shots Of A Railroad Town Once Called Easy and Rollo](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/02/history-of-silverwood-michigan/): Silverwood began as Easy, became Rollo, then took its lasting name in 1892. Rail service, local businesses, churches and farm families shaped this small Tuscola County community. - [Port Austin Travel Guide: Navigating the Tip of Michigan’s Thumb in 2026](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/02/port-austin-travel-guide-navigating-the-tip-of-michigans-thumb-in-2026/): A trip to Port Austin, Michigan, requires a different mindset than a typical beach vacation. Located at the northernmost point of Huron County, where... - [New Mid-Michigan Guidebook Gives the Thumb a Larger Place in Michigan History](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/02/new-mid-michigan-guidebook/): A new Mid-Michigan guidebook gives the Thumb a larger role in Michigan history, with regional tours and accounts of Shay Lake, agriculture, migration, labor and environmental change. - [Michigan Solar Farms Expected to Outpace New Wind Turbines Through 2030](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/01/michigan-solar-farms-wind-turbines-2030/): Michigan projections show large solar farms providing more than 80% of expected solar and wind growth, with major developments proposed across the Thumb. - [6 Notable Historical Events in Michigan that changed Everything](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/01/6-notable-historical-events-in-michigan-that-changed-everything/): Michigan was once dismissed as a worthless swamp by early federal surveyors, a region supposedly too muddy and mosquito-ridden to support a growing... - [Donuts & Cider - Fall Festivals in Michigan](https://thumbwind.com/2026/08/01/donuts-cider-fall-festivals-in-michigan/): Michigan orchards produced more than 1.3 billion pounds of apples last year, a harvest that secures the state's position as the second-largest... - [All Huron County Beaches Reopen After E. Coli Retests](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/31/huron-county-beaches-reopen/): Caseville County Park, Port Crescent Day Use and Wagener Park were cleared Friday after follow-up water samples came back below the state closure standard. BAD AXE, Mich. — All Huron County beaches closed this week because of high E. coli readings have reopened after follow-up tests showed acceptable bacteria levels. The Huron County Health Department announced Friday, July 31, that Wagener Park Bathing Beach had been cleared to reopen. The announcement followed an earlier update reopening Caseville County Park Bathing Beach and Port Crescent Day Use Bathing Beach.Bird Creek Bathing Beach had already reopened after an earlier retest showed its bacteria […] - [The History of Trout Creek Michigan - Sawmills, Railroads and Baseball](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/31/history-of-trout-creek-michigan/): In 1912, Trout Creek had three operating sawmills. Each generated its own electricity. One company plant also supplied power to the town. That surprising arrangement says much about early Trout Creek. The mills did not simply employ their residents. They powered the lights, shaped the streets, built the houses and supported the businesses that turned a remote railroad stop into a permanent Upper Peninsula community. Interior Township records identify the three operations as the Trout Creek Manufacturing Company, Weidman Lumber and DeLaittre, Anderson and Company. The history of Trout Creek Michigan is often reduced to timber and trains. Those industries were […] - [The Story of Indian Dave - A Legend in the Thumb 1803–1909](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/31/the-story-of-indian-dave-a-legend-in-the-thumb-1803-1909/): In 1866, two men paddled a canoe from Vassar to Caro carrying the official government records that would settle a heated dispute over the location of... - [Kingstown, Michigan: Separating TV Fiction from Regional Reality](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/31/kingstown-michigan-separating-tv-fiction-from-regional-reality/): If you search a Michigan road map for the prison-heavy landscape of Kingstown, Michigan, you will likely end up in a quiet farming community in... - [Three Huron County Beaches Remain Closed After High E. Coli Readings](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/31/three-huron-county-beaches-remain-closed-after-high-e-coli-readings/): Bird Creek Bathing Beach has reopened, but three Huron County beaches remain closed after E. coli tests exceeded state safety standards. - [Why are Pickles Zero Calories - Or Are They?](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/30/why-are-pickles-zero-calories-or-are-they/): The zero-calorie label on your jar of Michigan dills is a legal fiction permitted by federal rounding rules. Most snackers reach for a spear from a... - [2026 Bay Port Fish Sandwich Festival - Returns Friday With Two Days of Food, Music and Family Events](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/30/2026-bay-port-fish-sandwich-festival/): Admission is free, and the weekend schedule includes live bands, vendors, historical exhibits, children’s inflatables, a petting zoo, a fun run, a car show, a cornhole tournament and Saturday night fireworks. - [Michigan Ghost Towns: A Guide to the State’s Abandoned Industrial Settlements](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/30/michigan-ghost-towns-a-guide-to-the-states-abandoned-industrial-settlements/): Between 1845 and 1880, the Keweenaw Peninsula produced more copper than any other region in the world, yet today many of the towns that fueled this... - [History of Sandusky Michigan - 9 Remarkable Changes That Built a Thumb City](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/30/history-of-sandusky-michigan/): Historic photographs trace Sandusky, Michigan, from its lumber-era roots into a busy county seat shaped by railroads, agriculture and local commerce. The account follows two depots, grain elevators, downtown hotels, the 1915 courthouse fire and the unusual Practical Institute of Pharmacy class photographed in 1929. - [Top Ports Visited By The Best Great Lakes Cruises](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/29/top-ports-visited-by-the-best-great-lakes-cruises/): By the summer of 2026, more than 23,000 passengers are expected to sail through the Great Lakes, marking a 5% increase in maritime traffic. Many of... - [Famous Ontario Foods: 15 Canadian Classics in the Ultimate Provincial Guide](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/29/famous-ontario-foods/): Ontario’s food identity stretches from Toronto sandwich shops and Windsor pizzerias to Thunder Bay bakeries, Niagara vineyards and Great Lakes fishing towns. These 15 dishes show what the province is known for and where each food fits. - [Tracing Caseville History: A Guide to Huron County’s Industrial Roots](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/29/tracing-caseville-history-a-guide-to-huron-countys-industrial-roots/): In the late 1800s, Caseville's salt wells produced up to 50,000 barrels annually, a massive output that fueled the rapid growth of this Saginaw Bay... - [What is Minnesota Known For - Foods and Traditions](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/28/what-is-minnesota-known-for-foods-and-traditions/): In the northern reaches of the Great Lakes region, Minnesota claims the title of "Land of 10,000 Lakes," but the state actually contains 11,842... - [Michigan Thumb Tourism: The Ultimate Guide to the Great Lakes' Undiscovered Coast](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/27/michigan-thumb-tourism-the-ultimate-guide-to-the-great-lakes-undiscovered-coast/): What if the most authentic Great Lakes experience isn't found on the crowded boardwalks of the west coast, but in the quiet, rugged tip of Michigan's... - [Live Regional Webcams: Your Real-Time Window into Michigan’s Thumb](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/27/live-regional-webcams-your-real-time-window-into-michigans-thumb/): Imagine you're sitting in a quiet office in Detroit or Flint, dreaming of the 140 miles of freshwater shoreline that make up Michigan's Thumb Coast.... - [Michigan Upper Peninsula Ghost Towns: A Travel Map and Historical Guide](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/26/michigan-upper-peninsula-ghost-towns-a-travel-map-and-historical-guide/): Imagine standing in the middle of a silent street where, a century ago, the air hummed with the roar of iron furnaces and the shouts of copper... - [A Local’s Guide to the Geography and Culture of Michigan’s Thumb](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/25/a-locals-guide-to-the-geography-and-culture-of-michigans-thumb/): You might think you know exactly where the "Up North" feeling begins, but michigans thumb offers a different kind of magic that many travelers drive... - [Sidnaw, Michigan History - Railroads, Logging and Roycroft Farms](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/24/sidnaw-michigan-history/): Sidnaw, Michigan, began as a booming lumber town in the late 1800s. By the early 1900s, it had sawmills, factories, hotels, and a union depot where the Milwaukee Road and South Shore railroads crossed. Families arrived, stores opened, and farms replaced the forests. - [Sikorsky S-38 Isle Royale Flight at Rock Harbor](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/23/sikorsky-s-38-isle-royale/): A historic image shows a Sikorsky S-38 amphibious flying boat at Rock Harbor during Isle Royale’s early aviation era. The short video traces D. W. Wescoat’s 1932 Royale Line and the aircraft that connected the Lake Superior island with Houghton. - [Michigamme Falls Ghost Town: One Photo of a Vanished U.P. Camp](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/22/michigamme-falls-ghost-town/): One historic photograph may show a short-lived settlement near Michigamme Falls in Iron County. Log buildings, a dirt road and an early automobile survive in the image, but the camp’s identity and fate remain uncertain. - [Iron Mountain Prohibition: 14 Wine Barrels Meet the Gutter](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/22/iron-mountain-prohibition/): A crowd gathered on East Ludington Street in April 1928 as Iron Mountain and state police emptied 14 barrels containing more than 850 gallons of confiscated wine. - [Pine Mountain Ski Jump - Iron Mountain’s 1943 Spectacle](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/22/pine-mountain-ski-jump-1943/): A 1943 photograph records packed hillsides, bumper-to-bumper cars and fearless athletes at Pine Mountain Ski Jump in Iron Mountain, Michigan. - [History of Ironwood, Michigan — Built by Iron Ore Mining and Community.](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/22/history-of-ironwood-michigan/): Historic images show how iron mines, railroads, immigrant families, winter weather and busy downtown streets shaped Ironwood in Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula. - [Ironwood Homesteads: Michigan’s New Deal Town of 1936](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/22/ironwood-homesteads-michigan-new-deal/): A federal New Deal program built 132 homes north of Ironwood for mining families facing poor housing and unstable work during the Great Depression. - [Wakefield Michigan Iron Mining History - Life in a Boomtown (1890–1940)](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/21/wakefield-michigan-iron-mining-history/): Historic images show Wakefield during its iron-mining era, from workers 1,800 feet underground to Main Street stores, Cody Park and the 1919 parade that marked its rise from village to city. - [Pointe aux Barques Heritage Festival Marks 60 Years Since Daniel J. Morrell Sinking](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/20/pointe-aux-barques-heritage-festival/): The Pointe aux Barques Heritage Festival returns Saturday, Aug. 1, with lighthouse tower climbs, museum tours, maritime history programs, vendors, food and live music. The free event will also mark 60 years since the sinking of the Daniel J. Morrell. - [10 Marvelous Great Lakes Beaches You Should Visit & Walk in 2026](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/20/great-lakes-beaches/): If you have lived and traveled in the Great Lakes region I think you will agree that there are some pretty amazing sites to explore. This may be the reason that so many folks in the upper lakes don't venture far during family vacations. There is simply too much awesomeness that one must not miss. Here are 9 of the most unique beaches in the Great Lakes region. - [Wacousta Michigan History: Life Along the Looking Glass River (1900–1950)](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/20/wacousta-michigan-history/): Historic photographs show how the Looking Glass River, local mills, churches, schools and small businesses shaped life in Wacousta, Michigan. - [The Gentle History of Hubbardston Michigan - The Mill Town That Missed the Railroad (1837-1950)](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/20/history-of-hubbardston-michigan/): Hubbardston rose on mills, timber and Irish settlement, then stalled when promised railroad tracks never arrived. Its grist mill, church and Fish Creek bridge still explain the town’s unusual path. - [Pontiac’s War in Michigan - Detroit Under Siege, a Lacrosse Ruse, and the 1763 Proclamation - Podcast](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/13/pontiacs-war-in-michigan-detroit/): In 1763, Pontiac’s War ignited across Michigan and the Great Lakes. This was no ordinary rebellion — it was a coordinated Indigenous resistance that forced the British Empire to change its policies forever. - [History of Alma Michigan – Early 20th Century Industrial and WWI Powerhouse - Video](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/11/history-of-alma-michigan/): How did a small Midwestern town supply sugar, trucks, and food to help win the Great War? Discover the remarkable history of Alma, Michigan’s industrial boom and its unsung contributions to World War I. Hear the stories of factory workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs who proved that even the smallest town could make a big difference. - [Kalkaska Fire of 1908: How Downtown Rose From the Ashes](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/11/kalkaska-fire-of-1908/): A wind-driven fire swept through downtown Kalkaska on July 5, 1908, destroying major businesses and forcing the village to rebuild with safer brick buildings. - [Grand Lake History: 15 Remarkable Images Reveal Presque Isle’s Resort Boom](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/11/grand-lake-history-presque-isle-michigan/): Grand Lake near Presque Isle, Michigan, was once valued for timber, cordwood, and access to Lake Huron shipping. By the early 20th century, hotel owners were selling a different resource: time beside clear water. Grand Lake history weaves together the lumbering era and the tourism boom Michigan experienced in the early 1900s. The Grand Lake history near Presque Isle, Michigan, is tied to logging, maritime travel, the 1908 Metz Fire, and the rise of automobile tourism. Early inns and hotels turned the lake into one of Northeast Michigan’s best-known summer communities. Grand Lake covers about 5,660 acres and reaches a maximum […] - [Davison Michigan History: 8 Rare Photos Show a Town on the Move](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/10/davison-michigan-history-8-rare-photos-show-a-town-on-the-move/): Eight rare photographs show Davison, Michigan, during an era shaped by railroads, brickmaking, local commerce, horse racing and the arrival of automobiles. - [Otter Lake Michigan History: Life on Detroit Street in 1907](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/10/otter-lake-michigan-history-life-on-detroit-street-in-1907/): Michigan Moments Video Otter Lake Michigan History: Life on Detroit Street in 1907 Historic photographs offer a close look at Otter Lake when Detroit Street, the railroad depot and the lake formed the center of daily community life. Watch “Otter Lake, Michigan: Life on Detroit Street in 1907,” a Michigan Moments presentation from Thumbwind Publications. Otter Lake Michigan community Early 1900s Primary period shown 2:54 Video length Michigan Moments History video series What This Otter Lake History Video Shows Otter Lake was a small Michigan town shaped by its railroad, commercial streets and nearby water. The photographs featured in this video […] - [Stockton House Museum Hosts 4 Exciting Events That Bring Flint History to Life](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/10/stockton-house-museum-flint-history-events/): The Stockton House Museum continues to preserve Flint's past through monthly tours, lectures, trivia nights and book clubs. Housed in an 1872 Victorian home, the museum celebrates the legacy of the Stockton family while offering visitors engaging opportunities to connect with local history. - [Birds of Prey Event Offers Rare Look at Michigan Raptors in Port Austin](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/10/birds-of-prey-port-austin-huron-county-nature-center/): See live hawks, owls and falcons during the free Birds of Prey program at the Huron County Nature Center in Port Austin. Wildlife experts will introduce Michigan raptors while sharing conservation stories and answering visitors' questions. - [Eye-Opening History of Watersmeet Michigan - 7 Remarkable Reasons This UP Rail Town Still Fascinates](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/09/history-of-watersmeet-michigan/): Watersmeet Michigan history begins with Lac Vieux Desert Ojibwa homelands and grows into a story of railroads, logging, hotels, fish hatcheries and forest recovery. This small Upper Peninsula town became a true crossing point of water, timber and steel. - [Port Hope Museum Honors Michigan Lighthouse Hero With 1 Powerful Barn Quilt](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/09/port-hope-museum-catharine-shook-quilt/): A Port Hope museum will dedicate “Catharine’s Guiding Light,” a new barn quilt honoring Catharine Shook, Michigan’s first woman lighthouse keeper. The public ceremony is set for July 18 at the Port Hope Lumberyard Museum, with the quilt later appearing at the Heritage Festival. - [Bigfoot Sightings in Michigan - Cass River Video, Thumb Reports and New Cases](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/08/bigfoot-sightings-in-michigans/): The Michigan Thumb newspaper Tuscola Today carried a story, "Bigfoot Roaming the Cass? Video Raises the Question." on July 21. It shows a screenshot and short video clip of the alleged Sasquatch from a person kayaking on the Cass River. Bigfoot sightings, while unique are not uncommon. The online newspaper the Sun reported that more than 10,000 people have insisted they've seen the mythical being over the past 50 years. - [Harbor Beach Maritime Festival 2026 Brings Music, Drone Show and Fun Family Events](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/08/harbor-beach-maritime-festival-2026/): The Harbor Beach Maritime Festival returns July 8-12, 2026, with five days of music, contests, food, family activities and waterfront events at Judge James H. Lincoln Memorial Park. - [Bangor History Project Preserves Powerful Stories From 100 Years Of Local Life In West Michigan](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/07/bangor-history-project-west-michigan/): The Bangor History Project is working to preserve old photos, records and stories that trace the Van Buren County city’s growth from timberland to railroad town. - [Glen Arbor Michigan History - From Lumber Camps to Sleeping Bear Tourism](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/07/glen-arbor-michigan-history/): Step into the heart of northern Michigan with this stunning cinematic look at Glen Arbor. A montage from rare early 1900s photos, this short video showcases the charm, scenery, and rhythm of one of the most beloved towns along Lake Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. - [Frankenmuth Walking Tour Offers Free Powerful Look At 14 Historic Stops](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/06/frankenmuth-walking-tour-historic-sites/): FRANKENMUTH, Mich. — Visitors to Frankenmuth can now use their phones to take a free self-guided historical Frankenmuth walking tour through some of the city’s best-known sites. The Frankenmuth Historical Association’s Historic Walking Tour uses QR codes placed at tour stops around the city. Visitors scan a code at each location and are taken to a video explaining the history tied to that site. The tour is designed for people walking through Frankenmuth in person, but the association also makes the videos available online for people who cannot visit the city. The program gives residents, tourists and students a way to […] - [Muskegon Lakeshore Museum Center Sets Night at the Museum Fundraiser For Oct. 3](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/06/muskegon-lakeshore-museum-center-sets-night-at-the-museum-fundraiser-for-oct-3/): Lakeshore Museum Center will host Night at the Museum Oct. 3 at the Muskegon Museum of History and Science. Tickets start at $60 before prices rise Sept. 1. - [Keweenaw County Historical Society Museums Mark Busy July Season In Upper Peninsula](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/06/keweenaw-county-historical-society-museums/): The Keweenaw County Historical Society is continuing its 2026 museum season with eight historic sites, 11 museums and July events in Eagle Harbor, Phoenix and Copper Harbor. - [History of Charlevoix Michigan - 21 Vintage Photos Show A Working Harbor Transformed To A Resort City On Three Lakes](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/05/history-of-charlevoix-michigan/): The History of Charlevoix Michigan is more than a resort story. Pine River’s channel, working docks, steamship arrivals, railroad service, grand hotels and fishing trade turned a small harbor town into one of northern Michigan’s most memorable summer destinations. - [1900s Small Town Michigan 4th of July - 13 Vintage Photos From a Lost Holiday Era](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/04/small-town-michigan-4th-of-july-history/): Early 1900s photos show how small-town Michigan celebrated the Fourth of July with parades, brass bands, horse races, decorated cars, church picnics and crowded Main Streets. - [Fort Drummond - Britain's Last Stand In Michigan (1812 - 1828)](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/03/fort-drummond/): Fort Drummond Michigan was not just an old ruin on Drummond Island. It was a British military village that remained after the War of 1812, until surveys and politics forced Britain to leave in 1828. - [Harbor Beach Lighthouse Tours Offer A Rare Lake Huron Trip For 2026](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/02/harbor-beach-lighthouse-tours-2026/): Harbor Beach Lighthouse tours return June 20 through Sept. 5, giving visitors a guided look at Lake Huron history, the Fourth Order Fresnel lens and the Grice House Museum. - [History of The Fishing Village of Leland Michigan - How Fishtown Kept Its Working Waterfront](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/01/history-of-the-fishing-village-of-leland-michigan/): Leland, Michigan evolved from a sawmill and iron-smelting town into one of Lake Michigan's last commercial fishing villages. Its historic Fishtown, weathered docks and family fisheries continue to tell one of Michigan's most remarkable waterfront stories. - [Why Travelers are Choosing Michigan for Spontaneous Trips in 2026](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/01/why-travelers-are-choosing-michigan-for-spontaneous-trips-in-2026/): The collective travel psyche seems to have hit a wall. For years, the global travel market pushed a highly sanitized version of leisure, dominated by identical infinity pools, overdesigned boutique hotels, and curated itineraries that left no room for actual discovery. The predictable result in 2026 is a quiet rebellion. Travelers are increasingly ignoring the pre-packaged coastal retreats in favor of places with grit, dust, and genuine history. This shift explains why Michigan has become a magnet for a different kind of visitor. People are choosing rust over chrome, and century-old lighthouses over modern luxury developments. Very few plan these excursions […] - [Uncovered Cross Village History - The Charming Lake Michigan Town That Once Aimed to Be a 2nd Chicago](https://thumbwind.com/2026/07/01/cross-village-history-rare-photos/): Cross Village was never just a scenic stop near the Tunnel of Trees. Rare postcards show an Odawa homeland, a logging town, a mission center, a burned-out Main Street and the folk-art wonder of Legs Inn. - [History of Indian Beach & Indian Lake Michigan - The Resort Era West of Dowagiac](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/29/indian-lake-history-resort-era-dowagiac/): Indian Lake west of Dowagiac was once a busy resort district with trolleys, steamers, cottages, pavilions and packed summer beaches. Indian Beach and Wiest’s Resort show how Cass County families turned a rural lake into a seasonal gathering place. - [History of Forestville, Michigan - The Huge 1800s Lake Huron Dock Town That Once Moved Timber, Fish and Families](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/28/history-of-forestville-michigan/): he History of Forestville Michigan comes alive through rare photographs and vintage postcards that capture the village's days as a thriving Lake Huron lumber port. Follow the rise of its docks, mills, businesses, and waterfront before changing times reshaped this small Michigan community. - [Devyn Mitchell Opens Ribstock Weekend With Packed Patio Set At Thumb Brewery](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/27/devyn-mitchell-opens-ribstock-weekend-with-packed-patio-set-at-thumb-brewery/): Ferndale musician Devyn Mitchell opened Ribstock weekend with a packed patio set at Thumb Brewery in Caseville, mixing popular covers with a warm stage presence. - [Michigan's Upper Thumb Celebrates Michigan Log Cabin Day 2026- A Day of Blacksmiths, General Stores and Pioneer Life on America's 250th](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/26/michigan-log-cabin-day-2026/): Venture into Michigan's heartland this June, as we journey back in time to celebrate the state's unique heritage. Hear the echo of hammers, smell the pancakes sizzling, and be part of Michigan's Log Cabin Day—a celebration as vibrant and deep-seated as the spirit of Michigan itself. - [Port Austin Porch Fest 2026 - Set For June 27 With 26 Music Sites Across Village](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/26/port-austin-porch-fest-2026-set-for-june-27-with-26-music-sites-across-village/): Port Austin Porch Fest XI is set for Saturday, June 27, 2026, with 26 music sites, local hosts and added weekend performances across the village. - [Pigeon Band Shell Marks Season 35 With Music, Memory and a Timely Reason to Stop in Pigeon](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/26/pigeon-band-shell-marks-season-35/): Pigeon Band Shell opens its 35th season June 18 with five Thursday night concerts at Pigeon Recreation Park. The 2026 lineup includes rock, dueling pianos, big band, gospel and Woodstock-era music, with advance tickets available at several Thumb-area businesses. - [Stunning Hotel Ojibway Sault Ste Marie - A 1938 Look at One of Michigan's Grand Hotels](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/26/hotel-ojibway-sault-ste-marie/): Step back to 1938 and visit one of Michigan's most iconic historic hotels. This Michigan Moments video showcases the Hotel Ojibway in downtown Sault Ste. Marie during its golden age, when tourists, elegant automobiles, and Great Lakes travelers filled its front entrance. Learn about the hotel's rich history, its connection to the Soo Locks, and the enduring legend of Room 616 that continues to intrigue visitors today. - [Elkton, Michigan 1940 – The Day the Star Theater Welcomed Hollywood](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/25/elkton-michigan-1940-the-day-the-star-theater-welcomed-hollywood/): Watch this Michigan Moments episode as we travel back to downtown Elkton, Michigan, in 1940, when a single photograph captured a community on the brink of change. One vintage photograph tells an entire story. Parked automobiles line Main Street beneath the shade of mature trees. A Gulf gas station serves motorists arriving from the surrounding countryside. The Corner Cottage restaurant welcomes hungry customers for lunch. Just down the block, a brand-new theater is preparing to become the center of entertainment for the community. The Star Theater officially opened on Aug. 23, 1940, giving Elkton residents a modern movie house of their […] - [History of Deford Michigan: How a Small Railroad Stop Became a Busy Farm Community](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/25/history-of-deford-michigan/): The History of Deford Michigan comes alive through rare early 1900s photos showing the depot, Bruce Block, post office, hotel, school, grain elevator and Standard Condensed Milk Co. plant. Together, they show how a small Tuscola County town became a working farm and rail hub. - [Caseville Ribstock 2026 Brings 3 Big Days of BBQ, Music and Summer Fun](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/25/caseville-ribstock-2026/): The 18th Annual Ribstock Festival in Caseville, Michigan, is a three-day celebration from June 26–28, 2026. It features rib cook-offs, live music, and community activities, showcasing local pride and supporting regional tourism and businesses. - [Michigan Ghost Towns - 18 Lost Towns That Tell The State’s Strangest History](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/24/michigan-ghost-towns/): Michigan ghost towns offer a glimpse into the state's boom-and-bust past. From mining camps and lumber ports to company towns and abandoned villages, these 17 lost communities reveal how industries, railroads and changing economies shaped Michigan's history and left lasting stories behind. - [Forgotten History of the Ghost Town of Sigma Michigan (1910 - 1925)](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/24/history-of-the-ghost-town-of-sigma-michigan/): Sigma, Michigan, rose around 1910 as a railroad lumber town in Kalkaska County. Its depot, camps, shops and holiday crowds show a brief boom built on timber and rail service. - [History of Leslie Michigan: The Rail Town That Refused to Fade](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/22/history-of-leslie-michigan/): The History of Leslie Michigan reveals a town shaped by transportation change. Railroads, interurban lines, and automobiles each played a role. While many communities declined after these shifts, Leslie adapted, maintaining its structure, economy, and identity through steady change. - [9 Rare Postcards of the Pere Marquette Docks Show How Arcadia Served The Great Lakes In the Early 1900s](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/21/pere-marquette-docks-arcadia-michigan/): Arcadia’s Pere Marquette docks once linked steamers, rail lines, lumber yards and furniture shipments. The small Manistee County harbor became a busy transfer point where Great Lakes commerce met village life in the early 1900s, before roads and trucks changed how the town moved goods. - [Thumb Brewery To Release ‘Collin’s Mild Ale’ For Huron County Nature Center Benefit](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/21/collins-mild-ale-huron-county-nature-center/): Thumb Brewery will release Collin’s Mild Ale on July 2 in Caseville during a benefit for the Huron County Nature Center. The event includes samples, raffle items, commemorative cups and wildlife education. - [Traverse Regional History Center Looks to Reimagine How Northwest Michigan Tells Its Story](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/20/traverse-regional-history-center-northwest-michigan/): The Traverse Regional History Center is taking a different approach to preserving local history. Rather than focusing on artifact collections, the organization is building a regional resource dedicated to storytelling, education, and digital engagement. - [The Quiet History of Concord Michigan - 1900s Postcards Show The River Mill, Depot and A Village That Kept Its Shape](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/20/history-of-concord-michigan/): Concord, Michigan grew from waterpower, rail service and farm trade. This story follows its old mill, Michigan Central depot, Main Street, schools, baseball team and rural roots to show how one Jackson County village kept its identity through change. - [History of Crystal Falls Michigan - 10 Stunning Photos From Its Iron Mining Past (1900–1949)](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/20/history-of-crystal-falls-michigan/): Crystal Falls Michigan rose on iron ore, railroads, and hydroelectric power. These rare photos and stories reveal how the Upper Peninsula town survived boom years, deadly mine collapses, the Great Depression, and WWII. - [History of Acme Michigan - A Remarkable 170 Year Legacy From Mill Creek to World Class Resort](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/19/history-of-acme-michigan/): Acme, Michigan, began as a creek-powered mill town east of Traverse City, then shifted to farms, schoolhouses, roadside diners and resort travel. Its story shows how a Grand Traverse Bay community changed without losing its old outline. - [Humble History of Lake Ann Michigan - 14 Vintage Shots From Frontier Village To Cottage Country](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/16/history-of-lake-ann-michigan/): The history of Lake Ann Michigan centers on timber, railroads and fire. In 1897, flames destroyed nine blocks, left 75 families homeless and killed an elderly resident trying to save valuables. The disaster changed a promising lumber village into something smaller. - [History of Hillman Michigan - 1908 Fire, Railroads and Lake Avalon Shaped a Northern Village](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/15/history-of-hillman-michigan/): Hillman, Michigan, grew from Brush Creek into a village shaped by timber, railroads, farms, fire and Lake Avalon. Its story includes department stores, hotels, grain elevators, service stations, resort cottages and a late-arriving railroad that changed the town, but did not define it. - [History of Camp Jeannette Waterford Michigan - The Boys’ Camp Behind a Detroit Charity Scandal](https://thumbwind.com/2026/06/14/camp-jeannette-waterford-michigan/): Camp Jeannette in Waterford, Michigan, gave Detroit boys two weeks on Lester Lake. The Good Samaritans charity promoted free summer stays, but later faced criminal allegations, tax trouble and bankruptcy. The result is a camp story with both warmth and warning. ## Pages - [Michigan Wind Farm Map (2026)](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-wind-farm-map/): Michigan has a total of 1,032 operational turbines producing 1,881 MW. Plans underway show 1,084 turbines with 2,161 MW operational in 2018. Michigan produced 4.6% of its electricity needs from industrial wind operations in 2016. Michigan's Upper Thumb currently has 472 operating wind turbines in 2018. Huron county has the largest installed wind energy base in the Great Lakes region. - [41 Michigan Webcams Covering the Thumb, North Channel & Lake Huron Shoreline You Can View Right Now](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-upper-thumb-webcams/): Live webcams from Sandpoint, Caseville, Port Austin, Unionville, Sebewaing and Harbor Beach in the Upper Thumb of Michigan - [Michigan Moments](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-moments-2/) - [History of Bad Axe, Michigan: The Town That Nearly Lost Its Name](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-moments-2/history-of-bad-axe-michigan/): Bad Axe is one of Michigan’s most memorable place names. But the history of Bad Axe is about more than a broken tool found near a campsite. This Michigan Moments video looks at the history of Bad Axe Michigan, and how it became the inland center of Huron County. The story includes a county seat fight, a major fire, railroad service, the Huron Community Fair, Gov. Albert E. Sleeper and the nearby Palestine Colony, Michigan’s first recorded Jewish farming settlement. Watch The Video The history of Bad Axe began with a name that sounded rough but proved hard to replace. In […] - [Privacy Policy of Thumbwind Publications](https://thumbwind.com/privacy-policy/): Who We Are Our website addresses are What Personal Data do we Collect, and Why do we Collect it Comments When visitors leave comments on our site(s), we collect the data shown in the comments form, as well as the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help with spam detection. An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After your comment is approved, your profile picture is visible to the public […] - [[great_lakes_total_ice_coverage] as of [current_date format='F d, Y']](https://thumbwind.com/great-lakes-ice-coverage/): Ice coverage over the Great Lakes is a huge factor in weather patterns over the region and an indicator of future lake levels. Thumbwind consolidates and summarizes the Great Lakes ice cover from US and Canadian agencies and presents it on this single page. Summary of Current Ice Conditions As of , NOAA reports [great_lakes_total_ice_lowercase] across the region. With colder temperatures and more snow coverage, the initial ice coverage season has started in earnest. 1% of ice formation is reported on Saginaw Bay between Sebewaing and Caseville, including Wild Fowl Bay. We are experiencing a normal rate of ice formations at […] - [Subscribe to Michigan Moments](https://thumbwind.com/subscribe-to-michigan-moments/): Due to policy changes, we are suspending video uploads to Facebook. View new videos only on Thumbwind. We’re opening early access to subscribers on Thumbwind.com. Want first shot at our next Michigan Moments before anyone else? Subscribe to Michigan Moments for free! No Credit Card, No Subscription. Subscribe to Michigan Moments Sign up for our free email list and you’ll get: No spam. No daily inbox clutter. Just Michigan history, small towns, and vintage photos the way you like them. Cancel anytime. - [History of Saginaw Michigan: River, Rivalry, and a City United - Video](https://thumbwind.com/history-of-saginaw-michigan/) - [292 Michigan Moments Episodes and Snapshots](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-moments-3/): This contains all 292 Michigan Moments episodes and snapshots we have produced. If the image says that the video is not available, click on the link at the bottom or click on the right mouse button and select to open the video link in a new tab. This page is still under development. - [Michigan Moments – Vividly Explore The Amazing History of 132 Michigan Small Towns](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-moments/): Welcome to our Michigan Moments series, bringing you captivating glimpses into the fascinating history and charming communities across Michigan’s Thumb region and beyond. Each reel takes you on a journey through Michigan’s rich past, showcasing the stories, people, and events that have shaped our local heritage. Dive into these short yet informative videos, perfect for history enthusiasts, local residents, and curious visitors alike. Below, you’ll find links and brief descriptions of each featured video. If the town is listed but there are no links, then the video can be found on the Thumbwind Reels Page on Facebook. Editor Note: We have […] - [About ThumbWind](https://thumbwind.com/about-thumbwind/): I started Thumbwind Publications in 2009 when utility companies were installing industrial wind turbines in Michigan’s Thumb. The entire three-county region is now designated as the Wind Energy Capital of the Great Lakes. My family had a farm near Bad Axe in Colfax township, and I’ve been coming to the area since I was born. As an adult, I see that Michigan’s Upper Thumb is a fascinating farming region combined with renewable energy production and tourism. Every chance I get, I come to the Thumb as it offers a playground of festivals, art galleries, fairs, campgrounds, parks, beaches, agricultural exhibits, and […] - [Great Lakes Water Levels Update for May 2025](https://thumbwind.com/great-lakes-water-levels-update-may-25/): The latest Great Lakes Water Levels update from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shows that water levels across the Great Lakes are continuing their seasonal rise, though variability remains between basins. Great Lakes Water Levels Update – Weather Trends Over the past week, northern portions of the Great Lakes Basin experienced cooler-than-average temperatures, 2 to 4 degrees below normal, while central and eastern areas were about 4 degrees above normal. Notably warm weather hit cities like Toledo and Detroit, reaching the mid-80s Fahrenheit late last week. Rainfall was slightly above average in the northern basin, with areas like Houghton and […] - [Exploring Michigan's 12 Historic Native American Indian Trails](https://thumbwind.com/native-american-indian-trails/): For thousands of years, Native American Indian trails crisscrossed Michigan on a system of trails that were in tune with the land and so perfectly placed that the routes are still in use today by our highways and state roads.  These Michigan Indian Trails were part of the Great Trail network, which extended hundreds of miles to the eastern seaboard. Who Made the Trails? Amazingly,  many of Michigan’s major Indian trails were not made by the natives but by ranging bison herds. This was especially true in Southwest Michigan, where the French explorer LaSalle noted the herds in his journal. Indian […] - [10+ Magical Michigan Summer Vacation Spots & Day Trip Ideas](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-summer-vacation-spots/): Michigan summer is on its way! The Mitten State offers visitors its lakes combined with its beaches and beautiful natural sights. Our team assists clients in locating Michigan summer vacations that match their desired spending level. And if you’re staying in for the weekend or looking for online entertainment between your adventures, get spins without a deposit and take advantage of generous play bonuses to brighten your Michigan travel moments.  Whether you’re looking for a weekend retreat or a longer vacation, these top Michigan spots will spark your imagination. Vacation Spots on Lake Michigan and Its Shores Michigan residents cherish summer vacations […] - [Discover Huron County Nature Center: Free Hiking and Biking Trails in The Upper Thumb](https://thumbwind.com/huron-county-nature-center-and-wilderness-arboretum/): The Huron County Nature Center and Wilderness Arboretum are midway between Caseville and Port Austin. The interpretive center offers insights into the area’s wild features and typical plants and animals that make the Upper Thumb their home. The wilderness arboretum provides over 120 acres of woods, dunes, and marsh connected by an intensive trail system. This provides a glimpse of the upper thumb as it appeared 100 years ago. The land comprises alternating dune ridges (now with mature growth) and broad pine areas, oak, fern, and huckleberry. The area was established in 1941 by Huron County Women’s Clubs on a large […] - [50 Significant Events in Michigan History](https://thumbwind.com/45-significant-events-in-michigan-history/): Michigan has had a fascinating history in the Great Lakes region. After Europeans first set foot in Sault St Marie, it attracted the colonial powers of France, Great Britain, and even Spain. After the United States became a country, one of the first acts was to denote the Northwest Territory from which Michigan would come.  Michigan became the 26th state on January 26, 1837. Here, we will briefly review some significant events in Michigan’s history and how they’ve helped shape it into what it is today. 1622 – First Europeans See and Explore Lake Superior Étienne Brulé and his companion Grenoble […] - [Great Lakes Water Levels Current Data & Graphs (March 2024 Update)](https://thumbwind.com/great-lakes-water-levels/): Each month we summarize reports and data from the Army Corps of Engineers – Detroit District’s Monthly and Weekly reports for Great Lakes Water Levels and Great Lakes Water Level History. We present a single-page view of the changes in lake levels from month to month are presented for Lakes Huron-Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and Lake St. Clair. Great Lakes Basin Weather Conditions Over the Past Month Affecting Water Levels The Great Lakes basin experienced unusually warm temperatures, up to 12°F above normal, as of March 15th. Many places saw daily highs around 70°F at the start of […] - [12 Marvelous Hotels in Port Austin Michigan That Are Overlooked by the Big Travel Sites](https://thumbwind.com/hotels-in-port-austin-michigan/): There are 11 hotels in Port Austin, Michigan, that offer a wide range of accommodations. From romantic rooming at a bed & breakfast, and cozy cottages to beachfront suites, there is accommodation for a long weekend to a month of vacation days. As a year-round destination, we looked for the top places to stay in Port Austin, which the large travel websites often ignore. Port Austin offers a quiet respite from the summer crowds during the offseason. This listing is in no particular order. Images and Rating comments are sampled from publicly available social media. All information is correct at the […] - [50 Top Michigan Beaches That Families Will Want To Visit in The Summer Of 2024](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-beaches/): Our title may be a bit overstated, but what the heck? Michigan beaches are awesome. After extensive research and sand in our shorts, we have collected ratings and descriptions of the top 50 beaches in Michigan. These fantastic bits of shoreline are ideal spots to stick your toes in four of the five Great Lakes. These are the top-rated state, county, and local beaches noted for their beauty, cleanliness, and handicap accessibility. Some were a real surprise with these Michigan beaches near me. Some of the most magnificent beaches in the world may be found along Michigan’s 3,200 miles of Great Lakes […] - [Thumbwind.com Terms of Service](https://thumbwind.com/terms-of-service/): 1. Acceptance of Terms Welcome to Thumbwind.com (“Website”), a digital publication dedicated to stories about the Michigan Thumb region. By accessing our Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”), all applicable laws and regulations, and agree that you are responsible for compliance with any applicable local laws. If you disagree with any part of the terms, please do not use our Website. 2. Use License Permission is granted to temporarily download one copy of the materials (information or software) on Thumbwind.com’s Website for personal, non-commercial transitory viewing only. This is the grant of a license, not […] - [Article Drafting and Publication Service](https://thumbwind.com/article-drafting-and-publication-service/): Loading… - [15 Inspiring Sites to See Along M-25 Michigan Fall Color Tour In 2025](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-fall-color-tour/): Today you will travel north along M-25. This tour will not be found on the Pure Michigan Fall Color Tour as it’s a closely guarded secret. M-25 is considered one of Michigan’s first scenic highways as most of it closely hugs the shore all the way around the thumb. Our first stop to finding Michigan fall colors is to see if we can catch a glimpse of one of the big freighters moving up the St. Clair River. Michigan Thumb Fall Color Tour Map 2024 #1 Port Huron Our Fall color tour starts at the gateway to the Thumb. In the […] - [Cheeseburger in Caseville 2024 - 26 Years of Cheesy Fun](https://thumbwind.com/best-cheeseburger-in-caseville/): The best insight and hits for Cheeseburger in Caseville. - [Thumbwind Publications Tools And Services](https://thumbwind.com/tools/): Thumbwind Publications has been in operation since 2009. It started as a free hobby site and evolved into a local nitch content site that likes to find fun things to see and do in Michigan. Particularly the Thumb region. I have learned a lot and have tried and failed many times before settling on this set of tools. Hosting – WordPress.com & AWS Lightsail Hosting is the first key element to the creation of a site. Without it you have nothing. However, the choice you make on where to host may impact your site for years. The flagship site – Thumbwind.com […] - [Hillsdale Wind Farm (Crescent) in Southern Michigan](https://thumbwind.com/hillsdale-crescent-wind-farm-in-southern-michigan/): A 60-turbine Hillsdale County wind farm operated by Consumers Energy began operations in February 2021. The project can power over 64,000 homes. The wind farm’s 60 turbines are spread across Adams, Moscow, and Wheatland townships. February 2021 Announcement from Consumers Energy on the Hillsdale Site Consumers Energy announced it began ownership of 166-megawatt Crescent Wind Farm, producing renewable energy for residents and businesses in Michigan. This is the first industrial wind farm in southern lower Michigan. “We are thrilled to welcome Crescent Wind to our assets powering Michigan with clean energy,” said Dennis Dobbs, vice president of enterprise project management, engineering, and services […] - [Solar Farms In Michigan Installations Map (2024)](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-solar-farm-installations-map/): The Solar Farms in Michigan Installations Map offers current, proposed, and deferred or canceled solar projects in Michigan. Information is taken from both public and government reports from the Michigan Public Services Commission. This site is updated as information becomes available. The Great Lakes Map of Solar Array Farms in Michigan Thumbwind Publications is currently tracking 67 major solar energy farms in Michigan. These include utility, commercial, and community installations. Each point on the map has detailed data, including the name of the solar farm, its rated output in MW, year of operation, current energy consumer, energy output reports from EIA (if available), […] - [4 Steps For A Delicious Whitefish Chowder Recipe](https://thumbwind.com/whitefish-chowder-recipe/): We discovered an easy whitefish chowder recipe that I think you will love. Lake whitefish have been an important food source for Native Americans throughout the Great Lakes for thousands of years, even before European settlers arrived. When European explorers first arrived in the Great Lakes, they complimented the lake whitefish for its delicious flavor and quantity, and they began to realize its significance in the region. Michigan is home to some of the world’s most delicious freshwater fish. Whitefish, Walleye Pike, and Yellow Perch are always at the top of the list. Whitefish is available in almost every restaurant and […] - [Huron County Beach Testing / Closures in Michigan's Upper Thumb 2024](https://thumbwind.com/huron-county-beach-testing/): Results of the Huron County Beach Testing are scheduled each week during the summer. Here are the results from any failed test and what specific beaches are closed. 8/13/21 – Beaches Reopen in Huron County The following bathing beaches are now Open: Caseville County Park Bathing Beach, Port Crescent State Park Day Use Bathing Beach, and Port Crescent State Park Camp Bathing beach. No bathing beaches are closed. 8/12/21 – Several Beaches Closed in Huron County UPDATE: The Huron County Health Department has reopened the Beach at Wagener County Park’s Bathing Beach. The Huron County Health Department has ordered the following […] - [Sorry...That Page Was Not Found](https://thumbwind.com/page-not-found/): That post or page was not found. It may have been removed or updated with a new URL. (It happens!) Please try searching for what you’re looking for. Latest Posts and Pages on Thumbwind - [Senate Bean Soup - The #1 Robust Michigan entrée That's Always on the Menu](https://thumbwind.com/senate-navy-bean-soup/): 7 Unique Things in Michigan's Thumb - The Soup - [4 Overlooked Yet Top-Ranked Places to Stay Near Caseville Michigan](https://thumbwind.com/places-to-stay-near-caseville/): Caseville is a great town in which to spend a bit of vacation time. The area offers a wide range of accommodations. From romantic rooming at a bed & breakfast and cozy cottages to beachfront suites, there is accommodation for a long weekend to a month of vacation days. As a year-round destination, we looked for the top places to stay near Caseville. Large travel websites often ignore these lodgings. Caseville offers a quiet respite from the summer crowds during the offseason. If you will be further north in the Thumb, check out 11 Places to Stay Near Port Austin. This […] - [6 Great Golf Destinations in Michigan's Upper Thumb Golf Courses](https://thumbwind.com/upper-thumb-golf-courses/): Huron County Golf Courses, yardage and ratings - [Michigan Wind 2 - Near Minden City and Palms](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-wind-farm-map/michigan-wind-2/): Blissfield Energy led the construction of the Michigan Wind 2 near Minden City. The 50 turbine, 90-megawatt wind project is the first commercial wind project developed by Exelon Wind. It was completed in January 2012. The wind farm produces enough energy to power approximately 30,000 homes. Consumers Energy is purchasing energy from the project. Wind Farm Map of Michigan Wind II Wind Farm Construction Video of Michigan Wind II The industrial wind farm consists of 50 turbines, with a total of 90-megawatt of power. It’s the first commercial wind project developed by Exelon Wind.  Under a long-term agreement, Consumers Energy is purchasing […] - [Harvest Wind Farm I & II Details and Reports](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-wind-farm-map/harvest-wind-farm/): The Harvest I & II Wind Project is owned by Exelon Generation. Phase I of this wind farm has been in operation since 2008. Phase II began operations in 2012. The renewable energy project was Michigan’s first commercial-scale wind farm. The Harvest Wind Farm is located over 3,200 acres in Huron County’s Oliver and Chandler Townships near Elkton and Pigeon, Michigan. Phase I of the wind farm consists of 32 Vestas V82 wind turbines, producing 1.65 megawatts of electricity. The total project capacity will be 52.9 megawatts. This site spreads over a 5-mile irregular area. The Harvest II wind farm was […] - [Pinnebog Wind Farm - Information & Reports](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-wind-farm-map/pinnebog-wind-farm/): The Pinnebog Wind Farm is located in Huron County, Michigan. It consists of thirty GE 1.7 MW turbines located producing a rated 50MW of power. The park is located on approximately 14,000 acres. The project was one of the larger ones in the Thumb. Over 23 miles of buried collection feeds, 34 road crossings including a 1,100’ boring under the Pinnebog River. The project was started and completed in 2016. The height of each of the 30 turbines at the wind farm is just under 300 feet. The size of a 28 story building. The wind park is mixed in and […] - [Michigan Thumb News - 7 Local Area Newspapers](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-thumb-news/): The latest publicly available news feeds from local newspapers in Sanilac, Tuscola, Lapeer, Genesse, and Huron Counties. Support local news by subscribing to your own local paper or online service. Brown City Banner Davidson Index Huron Daily Tribune Huron County View Sanilac County News Tri-City Times Popular Michigan Thumb News Links - [Affiliate Disclosure](https://thumbwind.com/affiliate-disclaimer/): Thumbwind Publications has chosen to work with a certain set of specific companies to advertise on our site. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and others. These are affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and other affiliated sites. Notice of this relationship is made with the following affiliate disclosure on our home page. We are provided with a tracking link, that when a potential buyer clicks through on that link and makes the purchase, Thumbwind is given a commission. No Extra Cost to You If […] - [Michigan Wind Farm Accidents Map](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-wind-farm-accidents-incidents/): Michigan Wind Farm Incidents 2009 - 2017. Compiled from public data and news sources. Contains incidents, accidents and failures in industrial wind farms within the State of Michigan. - [Copyright Notification](https://thumbwind.com/about-thumbwind/copyright-notification/): Thumbwind is committed to complying with U.S. copyright law and to responding to claims of copyright infringement. Thumbwind will promptly process and investigate notices of alleged infringement and will take appropriate actions under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Title 17, United States Code, Section 512(c) (“DMCA”). Pursuant to the DMCA, notifications of claimed copyright infringement should be sent to a Service Provider’s Designated Agent. Notification must be submitted to the following Designated Agent for this site in the manner described below: By Mail: Thumbwind Publications LLC104 41st Street NEBradenton, Florida 34208 By Email: contact@thumbwind.com For your complaint to be valid under […] - [Cross Winds Energy Parks (I, II, III)](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-wind-farm-map/crosswinds-energy-parks/): The initial 111-megawatt Cross Winds® Energy Park — owned by Consumers Energy — began operating in 2014 in Tuscola County Michigan. Future phases of Cross Winds are being planned by Consumers Energy began in 2017 and continuing through 2020. 44 megawatts was in operation by the end of 2017 with 62 Turbines Phase II of the project added another 19 turbines and an additional 44 megawatts of production capability to the overall facility. Phase II has been operating since January 2018. In 2019, Phase III is being constructed to increase the production capability by another 76 megawatts with the addition of […] - [Lake Winds Energy Park - 58 Turbines](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-wind-farm-map/lake-winds-energy-park/): Lake Winds Energy Park, a 100-megawatt facility in Mason County Michigan. The wind farm consists of 58 turbines. The park utilizes Vestas-American Wind Technology Inc. to supply V100-1.8-megawatt wind turbine generators in-line with the region’s wind speeds. The park is owned and operated by Consumers Energy. Wind Park Location Selection The project secured more than 16,000 acres of easements in the two townships. Much of this area was needed to create an underground electric collection system and establish setback buffers to meet zoning requirements for operational factors such as sound and shadow flicker. As part of the site selection, Consumers Energy […] - [Beebe Community Wind Farm](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-wind-farm-map/beebe-community-wind/): The Deerfield Wind Farm in Huron County Michigan was a joint venture between RES Americas and Algonquin Power & Utility Corp. Completed in 2016 - [Apple Blossom Wind Farm](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-wind-farm-map/apple-blossom-wind-farm/): Apple Blossom Wind Farm – Huron County Michigan Apple Blossom Wind Farm was constructed by Sempra Renewables. This is a 100-megawatt (MW) wind farm project located in Huron County, Michigan.  The wind farm’s footprint spans McKinley and Winsor Townships. The project started construction in fall 2016. 29 wind turbines were erected and the project was completed in 2017. It’s 29 wind turbines generates enough electricity to power about 38,000 Michigan homes. The wind farm will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 205,000 tons each year, the equivalent of taking approximately 43,000 cars off the road. Power is supplied to Consumers Energy. […] - [Deerfield Wind Farm - 72 Turbines](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-wind-farm-map/michigan-deerfield-wind-farm/): The Deerfield Wind Farm in Huron County Michigan was a joint venture between RES Americas and Algonquin Power & Utility Corp. Completed in 2016 - [Tuscola Bay Wind I - 75 Wind Turbines](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-wind-farm-map/tuscola-bay-wind-i/): The Tuscola Bay wind farm, located in Fairgrove, Michigan and owned by NextEra Energy Partners, was put into operation in 2012. - [Walleye Fishing the Steeples in Saginaw Bay](https://thumbwind.com/walleye-fishing-steeples-saginaw-bay/): 7 Unique Things in Michigan's Thumb - The Steeples - [11 Stories About Michigan Art in the Upper Thumb](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-art-upper-thumb/): 7 Unique Things in Michigan's Thumb - The Art - [The Fish Market at Bay Port](https://thumbwind.com/bay-port-fish-market/): 7 Unique Things in Michigan's Thumb - The Fishery - [Sigel Wind Park - 69 Turbines](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-wind-farm-map/sigel-wind-park/): Sigel is one of three DTE Energy’s first wholly-owned and constructed wind parks named Thumb Wind Park. - [Michigan Wind 1](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-wind-farm-map/michigan-wind-1/): Michigan Wind 1, owned and operated by John Deere Renewables, LLC, started spinning in December 2008. Consumers Energy purchases the electricity generated by the farm, which is located near Ubly in Michigan’s Thumb region - [13 Michigan Breakfast Foods & Casual Dining in the Upper Thumb](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-foods-breakfast-upper-thumb/): These are the top rated places in Michigan's Upper Thumb to go for your morning meal according to the travel sites Yelp and TripAdvisor. - [Michigan Wind Farms In Operation 2012](https://thumbwind.com/michigan-wind-farm-map/2012-michigan-wind-survey-special-report/): These are the Michigan Wind Farms in operation in 2012. ## Optional - [Agent (MCP protocol)](websites-agents.hostinger.com/thumbwind.com/mcp) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)