Monthly Archives: April 2016

Medal of Honor Recipient – Albert J. Smith, Jr.

Posted on
.

.

           Albert Smith was born in Calumet, Michigan on July 31, 1898. His parents, Albert Smith Sr. and Martha Smith immigrated from Austria and Germany during the late 1800s and settled in Houghton County, Michigan. According to census records, Albert’s father was employed as a saloon keeper in Calumet. By 1910, the family had moved to Keweenaw County, where his father worked as a hoisting engineer in a mine. Soon after, the family relocated yet again to Thompson, Michigan where Albert’s father purchased a farm. The property was located on County Road 149 across from the Thompson Cemetery where Albert Smith Jr. would spend his formative years. Read More...

Schoolcraft County Volunteers of 1898

Posted on
September 27, 1898 image of Spanish American War volunteers from Schoolcraft County. The photo was taken at Camp Eaton, Island Lake, Michigan, by Schoolcraft County Clerk Ed Ashford. Niles and Helmka Family Collection

September 27, 1898 image of Spanish American War volunteers from Schoolcraft County. The photo was taken at Camp Eaton, Island Lake, Michigan, by Schoolcraft County Clerk Ed Ashford. Niles and Helmka Family Collection

War with Spain

            On February 15, 1898 the American battleship Maine exploded in Havana harbor. The event would soon become the catalyst for hostilities between the United States and Spain. With growing calls for war from politicians led by Teddy Roosevelt, President William McKinley made his first call for 125,000 troops on April 23, 1898. Michigan responded to the President’s call for troops, by attempting to nationalize the existing Michigan National Guard. The troops were not allowed to be mustered in as units, but instead were required to volunteer individually. Nearly every member of Michigan’s National Guard volunteered for the war. Read More...

Artifacts from the Haywire Line – M. & L.S. R.R.

Posted on
Manistique and Lake Superior Railroad conductor hat badge donated by Gregory R. Miller (2015)

Manistique and Lake Superior Railroad conductor hat badge donated by Gregory R. Miller (2015)

The Story of the Hat Badge

            The above pictured hat badge was generously donated to the Historical Society by Gregory R. Miller in 2015. Mr. Miller writes: “Shortly before the demise of the M. & L.S. R.R. [in 1968], I was taking pictures of the recently painted snow plow. The boxcar color had given way to a bright fire-engine red. I was noticed by an employee of the railroad who asked if I wanted to see the inside. Of Course! He proceeded to show me the snowplow and gave me a tour of their still standing engine house. I was also told of the railroad’s history, shown pictures and given the conductor’s badge as a souvenir.” Read More...

The Manistique & Lake Superior R.R. – The Haywire Line

Posted on
Engine No. 12, March 1932 Image. This locomotive was later renumbered 2370 and was destroyed in the roundhouse fire of 1952. It was scrapped in 1953. (Niles/Helmka Family Collection)

Engine No. 12, March 1932 Image. This locomotive was later renumbered 2370 and was destroyed in the roundhouse fire of 1952. It was scrapped in 1953. (Niles/Helmka Family Collection)

Early History

            Construction of the railroad line between South Manistique and Shingleton was completed in 1898 and was then known as the Manistique and Northwestern Railroad (M&NW). Passenger service from Manistique to Shingleton began on January 1, 1899 with a one-way fare costing $1.35. In 1902 the line became part of a new railroad known as the Manistique, Marquette and Northern (MM&N) offering passenger service between Manistique and Marquette. During 1907, the company relocated the railroad’s roundhouse and shop buildings from South Manistique to Manistique north of its Deer Street depot and offices. The company was reorganized yet another time in July of 1908 and briefly became known as the Manistique & Northern Railroad (M & N). Read More...