Features

Coast Guard renews Fresnel lenses agreement with historical society

August 18, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The United States Coast Guard recently renewed its loan agreement of two Fresnel lighthouse lenses with the Mason County Historical Society. The lenses were originally used in Big Sable Point Lighthouse and Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse and are on display at the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, operated by the Mason County Historical Society.…

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How the Rutter lost its rudder and Capt. Kendrick earned a life saving award

August 14, 2025

This MCP Great Lakes History Blog is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Mason County Historical Society.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief In 1879, Capt. Frederick Kendrick was awarded the United States Gold Lifesaving Medal for his heroic act of saving 44 men from a sinking vessel off the shore of Ludington, near what is now the north end of…

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Podcast: The 1993 Unsolved Murder of Melissa Simmons

August 14, 2025

The 1993 unsolved murder of 15-year-old Melissa Simmons of Scottville has haunted Mason County for over three decades. Editor-in-Chief Rob Alway discusses the murder in the latest Great Lakes History Log podcast. Click here to access the episode. You may subscribe to the Great Lakes History Log from most popular podcast apps including Apple Podcast and Spotify.

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Historical society celebrates the centennial of Sanders Meats

August 9, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Mason County Historical Society honored the Sanders family, owners of Sanders Meats of Custer. This year, the company celebrates its 100th anniversary. Sanders Meats was founded by Joesph T. Sanders in 1925, delivering homemade products in a Ford Model T. On Saturday, the descendants of Joe and Vera Sanders…

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Filling the gaps in the Scottville coin flip story

July 12, 2025

This MCP Great Lakes History Blog is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Mason County Historical Society.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief The story of how Scottville got its name is part of local lore, the result of a coin toss between two businessmen due to a scandal. The story is told on an official State of Michigan historical marker…

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