History

Wietrzykowski captains the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum

July 15, 2024

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Nathan Wietrzykowski has a deep passion for history, particularly maritime history and specifically the history of the local carferries. The 2019 Ludington High School graduate is in his second year as program manager for the Mason County Historical Society. As part of his duties, he is also director of the Port of Ludington Maritime…

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1898 triple murder/suicide among Mason County’s most brutal crimes

May 2, 2024

This article is presented by the Mason County Historical Society in partnership with Mason County Press.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief FREE SOIL TOWNSHIP — Ron Chappel is a fifth generation resident of Free Soil Township. He and his wife, Thelma, live right on Michigan Street, the main street, in the village of Free Soil. His family has made a mark…

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52 years ago today: Tornado ripped through Riverton, Eden townships

April 12, 2024

Today’s winds are reported to be gusting about 39 mph. But, 52 years ago today, about 10:30 p.m., on Wednesday, April 12, 1972, the winds were much stronger as a tornado ripped through Riverton and Eden townships. The Mason County Press was a weekly newspaper that published on Wednesdays, so it was an entire week before the next edition came…

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Exploring the old Manistee & Grand Rapids Railroad

April 3, 2024

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Editor’s Note: On Saturday, June 1, the Mason County Historical Society will host Ghost Tour ’24: Trains, Towns, and Lumber Camps. This bus tour will explore the former Manistee & Grand Rapids Railroad along with ghost towns and former lumber camps that existed along the route. Click here to learn more. A special thanks to Mike…

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Historical Society to present Ghost Tour ’24: Trains, Towns, and Lumber Camps

April 3, 2024

On Saturday, June 1, the Mason County Historical Society will present a special bus tour exploring an abandoned railroad along with ghost towns and abandoned lumber camps of northeastern Mason County. In 1899, a group of lumber barons from Manistee and Ludington formed the Manistee & Grand Rapids Railroad. The standard gauge railroad ran from the City of Manistee, through…

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