Features

Family research reshapes one of Lake Michigan’s best-known maritime legends

July 24, 2026

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and Sable Points Media.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief AMBER TOWNSHIP — For nearly a century, Andrew Petterson’s account of the three-masted schooner Mary Ellen Cook riding a giant wave over Chicago’s breakwater has been accepted as one of Mason County’s most remarkable maritime stories. First published in…

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From Beaver Island fisherman to captain of a Great Lakes legend

July 17, 2026

Masters of the PM Steamers This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and Sable Points Media.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Every September, the sinking of Pere Marquette 18 is remembered as one of the greatest maritime disasters in the history of Lake Michigan. The Sept. 9, 1910 tragedy claimed 30…

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Gile and Stearns: Ludington’s world-renowned marine engine builders

July 11, 2026

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief The present-day Ludington Municipal Marina occupies the site of what was once one of Michigan’s most innovative marine engine factories. From 1909 until the early years of the Great Depression, the Gile Boat and Engine Company and its…

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Descendants of PM captain connect with family history at maritime museum

July 6, 2026

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — One of the most rewarding parts of serving as a director of the Mason County Historical Society is sharing Mason County’s history with people who have a personal connection to it. A couple weeks ago, I…

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Over 1,000 celebrate 50 years of Historic White Pine Village

July 3, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — More than 1,100 people gathered Friday at Historic White Pine Village to celebrate the Mason County Historical Society museum’s 50th anniversary, honoring five decades of preserving the county’s history while looking ahead to its future. Admission for the event was sponsored by West Shore Bank, allowing the historical society to open the…

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