Mason County Historical Society

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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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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