Features

W.L. Mercereau, father of the Ludington car ferry fleet

June 13, 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 debut of the Pere Marquette 17 car ferry in 1901 marked a new era for the Ludington car ferries. It was also a testament to the Pere Marquette Railway’s new…

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The PM 21, 22 capstans

June 6, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief 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. LUDINGTON — Two historic car ferry capstans are on display in the City of Ludington. They belonged to sister car ferries Pere Marquette 21 and Pere Marquette 22, each built in…

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The wooden PM 16, a mixture of historical significance – good and bad

May 31, 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 service of the SS Pere Marquette 16, the only wooden car ferry to operate in the Ludington fleet, was a mixture of historical significance — both good and bad.…

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Remembering the Leveaux brothers, who gave their lives during WWI

May 26, 2025

Editor’s Note: Several holidays exist to honor our veterans and active duty military personnel, Veterans Day on Nov. 11, and Armed Forces Day, May 17. But, Memorial Day is set aside to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. In today’s article, we remember two brothers from Mason County who died serving our country during World War…

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VIDEO: Point Betsie Lighthouse flyover

May 18, 2025

MI Travelogue is a presentation of Preferred Credit Union, www.preferredcu.org, located locally at 266 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief FRANKFORT — Five miles north of Frankfort, in Benzie County, is Point Betsie Lighthouse. Built in 1858, the lighthouse’s 37-foot-tall tower rises 52 feet above Lake Michigan. The lighthouse still serves as an active navigational aid for vessels…

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