Features

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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For 2 years, a car ferry operated between Ludington and the UP

July 5, 2025

This MCP Maritime History Blog is presented by Filer Credit Union and Mason County Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief The Pere Marquette Railway car ferries, later the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad ferries, traveled to three Wisconsin ports, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, and Kewaunee, throughout most of their existence. However, there was a short time when rail…

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The SS City of Ludington served nearly 5 decades on Lake Michigan

June 27, 2025

This MCP Maritime History Blog is presented by Filer Credit Union and Mason County Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief The Goodrich Transportation Co., later known as the Goodrich Transit Co., operated for over 80 years and, at one time, was the largest passenger and freight service on the Great Lakes, operating mainly on Lake…

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