Great Lakes History Log

Woman traveling to Ludington died on Titanic on April 15, 1912

April 15, 2026

Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union with offices in Manistee, Ludington, East Lake, and Bear Lake and the Mason County Historical Society, which operates the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, Historic White Pine Village and the Rose Hawley Archives in downtown Ludington. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief A small and shiny marker sits at the corner of…

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President of Grand Trunk Railroad was among those who perished on the Titanic

April 11, 2026

  This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Mason County Historical Society By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Charles Melville Hays, one of North America’s most powerful railroad executives, spent his final days moving confidently through the polished corridors of the RMS Titanic, a ship that symbolized the very industrial progress he helped build — and…

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Historical Society to host Mason & Oceana Railroad bus tour May 30

March 23, 2026

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Back by popular demand, the Mason County Historical Society will host another abandoned railroad tour this spring. “Touring the Mason & Oceana Railroad” will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 30. The event begins at Historic White Pine Village, where participants will start with a presentation by historian and Mason County Historical Society…

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History Talk to explore Mason County school consolidation

March 17, 2026

SCOTTVILLE — The 20th century brought major changes to education in the United States, and Mason County was no exception. At the beginning of the century, Mason County had 69 public school districts. By the late 1960s, that number had been reduced to four and eventually to three today. On Thursday, March 19, Rob Alway will discuss the history of…

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The Butlers: Three generations of Great Lakes captains

March 16, 2026

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. Masters of the PM Steamers Family histories needed Editor’s Note: This is the seventh article in the “Masters of the PM Steamers” series. I am seeking historical artifacts and stories from people whose family members worked as ship captains or in Ludington’s…

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