Mason County Historical Society

Historical Society Annual Gala will celebrate sesquicentennial of Ludington cross-lake service

August 14, 2025

LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society’s annual gala will celebrate the sesquicentennial of Ludington cross-lake service. The fund-raising event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Stearns Hotel in downtown Ludington. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Dancing will be from 8:30 to 10 p.m. The event will also feature historical presentations…

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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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Historical Society presents ‘Michigan Fisherman and the Tragedy of the Grayling’

August 3, 2025

LUDINGTON — One fish, two fish, no fish… Explore native fishing history with a presentation of “Michigan Fisherman and the Tragedy of the Grayling,” presented by historian Jerry Berg of the Fishing Museum and Cultural Center on Thursday, Aug. 14 the Mason County Historical Society’s Legacy Hall, 130 E. Ludington Ave. beginning at 4 p.m. Berg will present in historical…

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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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