Schoolcraft County Volunteers of 1898

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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.

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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

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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...

Captain Henry Bundy – Seafaring Evangelist

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Capt. Henry Bundy (1826 – 1906), Photo Courtesy Sue Baar

Capt. Henry Bundy (1826 – 1906),  Photo
Courtesy Sue Baar

           The sailor evangelist, Henry Bundy, was a frequent visitor to Manistique and other nearby ports. He preached both from the deck of his ship and from the pulpit of local churches. His arrival each summer was eagerly anticipated by the citizens of Manistique and Schoolcraft County

            Henry Bundy was born in London, England in 1826 to impoverished parents. He was an incorrigible youth who roamed the city streets, refusing to engage in any schooling. By age 10, the boy was completely beyond his parents’ control. Not knowing what to do, they bound their rebellious son for seven years as an apprentice to the captain of the Abel Gower, a three-masted, 313 ton merchant ship. Read More...