Great Lakes History Log

Mason County Historical Society hires museum engagement manager

May 16, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical recently hired Caleb Ackerman as its new museum engagement manager. In the newly created position, Ackerman will be responsible for marketing, communications, membership management, and donor engagement. He will also be responsible for management of the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. Ackerman is a graduate of Zeeland High School and…

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The Ann Arbor No. 1, first Lake Michigan car ferry

May 10, 2025

This Maritime History Blog is a presentation of the Mason County Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, ludingtonmaritimemuseum.org, located at 217 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief The first railroad to offer car ferry service across Lake Michigan was the Toledo Ann Arbor & North Michigan Railway, predecessor of the Ann Arbor Railroad, with the debut of…

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Maritime History Blog: The Break-Bulk Freighters, predecessors to the car ferries

May 4, 2025

  This Maritime History Blog is a presentation of the Mason County Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, ludingtonmaritimemuseum.org, located at 217 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Construction of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railway began in Saginaw, Michigan in 1859 and terminated in Ludington December 1874. From its inception the railroad’s executives envisioned transporting freight…

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Badger turns 72 today

March 21, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The SS Badger turns 72 years ago today. On March 21, 1953, the 410-foot Badger made its maiden voyage from Ludington to Milwaukee. It was the last of the great cross-lake ferries built for service on Lake Michigan, a tradition that began in Ludington 150 years ago this year. In 1951, the C&O Railroad…

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Historical Society seeking local yearbooks

March 19, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society is seeking Mason County school yearbooks to add to its Rose Hawley Memorial Archives. While the Society’s yearbook collection is extensive, many years are missing. Yearbooks from any era are welcome, including recent yearbooks. The books serve as a valuable resource in historical preservation and research. The goal of…

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