Tag Archives: Michigan

Sleeping Bear Dune, Michigan

This image shows a group of people climbing the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, in the northwestern part of the lower peninsula of Michigan. Originally a state park, part of the area was designated a National lakeshore park as well.

Kodachrome by Dickinson


The description sates:
SLEEPING BEAR SAND DUNE
The Dune, several miles wide and more than twice as long, is an expanse of Golden Sand where each summer thousands visit making it the favorite playground of Northern Michigan.
–Climbing the dune, as shown here, is a popular exercise for many of the visitors, as the summit provides an outstanding view of the lake and shoreline.
This postcard was used and is dated 16 August 1954.

Pointe Aux Barques, Michigan

This image shows waves lapping the shore of the ‘tip of the thumb’ area of the lower peninsula of Michigan, near Pointe Aux Barques, the northernmost point of the ‘thumb’.

The L.L. Cook Co., Milwaukee, WI


The description states:
MICHIGAN THUMB SCENERY
Breakers at Pointe Aux Barques in the tip of the Thumb.
–The name means Point of Small Boats, apparently a reference to the shallow waters and reefs that pose a hazard to larger ships approaching the shore in the area. There is a lighthouse to advise passing ships of the danger. The object on the lake in the background is a passing ship.
This image is dated 1955.

Lake of the Clouds, Ontonagon, Michigan

This image shows a typical elevated view of the outflow and body of Lake of the Clouds, located in Ontonagon County, Michigan, in the western Upper Peninsula. The image is taken from a scenic spot known as Lake of the Clouds Overlook.

Dexter Press, Pearl River, N. Y.


The description states:
LAKE OF THE CLOUDS
Located in the Michigan Porcupine Mountains State Park, twenty-five miles west of Ontonagon, Michigan. The escarpment on the north side is 300 ft. above the lake.
–The lake is formed by the Carp River, whose outflow is visible at the bottom of the image. This card likely dates from the 1950s.

Port Austin, Michigan

This image shows a main street scene in the village of Port Austin, Michigan, located at the tip of the ‘thumb’ portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan.

The L.L. Cook Co., Milwaukee, WI


The description states:
MICHIGAN THUMB SCENERY
Street Scene at Port Austin, Michigan
–The village is quite small, less than a thousand population even today.
This card is dated 1955, which is consistent with the autos shown parked in the image.

S.S. City of Petoskey, Michigan

This image is of the state-run ferry called the S.S. City of Petoskey, part of a larger fleet of auto and passenger ferries operating across the Straits of Mackinac before the construction of the Mackinac bridge in 1957.

Color Photo by Lucy Gridley


The description states:
THE CITY OF PETOSKEY
Michigan State Ferry
Operating at the Straits of Mackinac, in Michigan. “Petoskey” is derived from the Chippewa Indian name “Pe-to-se-ga,” meaning, “The Rising Sun.”
–This ferry was put in service in 1940, and continued in service until the ferry system was discontinued in 1957. It was the next to last ferry put into service, succeeded by the S.S. Vacationland.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

S.S. North American, Charlevoix, Michigan

This image shows the ferry S.S. North American as it passes through a drawbridge over the channel between Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan in the city of Charlevoix.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago ‘C.T. Photochrom’


The description states simply:
S.S. North American at Charlevoix, Michigan.
–The fate of the ship is not known, but it likely provided ferry service to towns on the other side of Lake Michigan before the construction of the Mackinac Bridge. This postcard was used and is dated 8 August 1955.

Municipal Dock, Petoskey, Michigan

This image is a view of the dock built and maintained by the city of Petoskey, Michigan, located near the northernmost point of the lower peninsula of Michigan.

Mrs. C. C. Graham, Petoskey, Michigan


The description states:
2–The Petoskey municipal dock cost $60,000. The money was raised from subscriptions of $1.00 to $100.00 given by individuals, businesses and industry.
–It is not apparent whether the dock exists currently, or whether it has been replaced by the marina complex now extant. This card likely dates from the 1950s.

Port Austin Lighthouse, Michigan

This image shows the Port Austin Lighthouse, located just off the northern tip of the ‘thumb’ of Michigan’s lower peninsula, where it protects ships from a dangerous reef.

The L.L. Cook Co., Milwaukee, WI


The description states:
Michigan Thumb Scenery
Port Austin Lighthouse, Port Austin, Michigan
–The lighthouse was constructed in 1878 and has been regularly updated since then. It is now maintained by a private restoration group, and runs off of solar power.
This card is dated 1957.

Bavarian Inn Lodge, Frankenmuth, Michigan

This image is of the Bavarian Inn Lodge building, part of the larger complex of buildings located in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Published by Freeman Studios, Berrien Springs, Michigan


The description states:
FRANKENMUTE BAVARIAN INN
Frankenmuth, Michigan 48734
Frankenmuth family style chicken dinners are world-famous. In a town of only 2,750 people, 7,000 dinners may be served in a single day. Dining Room, Coffee Shop, Stein Room, and Gift Shop. Located 15 miles south of Saginaw and 25 miles north of Flint. Get off I-75 Expressway at Birch Run-Frankenmuth Exit (Northbound), and on Frankenmuth-Bridgeport Exit (Southbound).
–This card is dated 1972.

Bavarian Inn, Frankenmuth, Michigan

This image is of the famous Bavarian Inn, located in the town of Frankenmuth, Michigan, as it looked in the 1960s.

Color Photography by John D. Freeman


The description states:
Frankenmuth family style chicken dinners are world-famous. In a town of only 1900, 6,000 dinners may be served in a single day.
Dining room, Coffee Shop, Stein room and Gift Shop. Located 15 miles south of Saginaw and 25 miles north of Flint. Get off the I-75 Expressway at the Birch Run-Frankenmuth  Exit (Northbound) on the Frankenmuth-Bridgeport  Exit (Southbound).
–Error is in the original text. The business has thrived and expanded to include lodging and other activities. This image is dated 1967.