Welcome Home, {{first_name|default:Michigander}}!
Three MI Moments from December
1. Soo Line Railroad Reaches Sault Ste. Marie
In Dec 1887, the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway (Soo Line) completed its tracks into Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
This new rail connection linked the Upper Peninsula’s timber and mining regions directly to the national rail network, allowing iron ore, lumber, and passengers to travel far beyond the frozen Straits.
The Soo Line along with the Soo Locks transformed Sault Ste. Marie into a key transport hub for shipping Great Lakes resources.
2. Chief Shoppenagon’s Christmas Passing
On Dec 25, 1911, Chippewa Chief David Shoppenagon died at 102 years old in Grayling, MI.
A respected guide and storyteller, he “navigated two worlds with grace”, preserving his tribal heritage while helping Michigan’s early settlers.
His dignified life is a moving reminder of Michigan’s Native American history.
3. Detroit Goodfellows Celebrate 111 Years
In December 1914, Detroit newsboy-turned-publisher James J. Brady rallied his fellow “old newsboys” to ensure no child went without a gift on Christmas morning.
He founded the Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund with the motto “No Kiddie Without a Christmas,” sparking a charity drive that still delivers holiday cheer to thousands of Detroit children each year.
This year, the Detroit Goodfellows goal is $1.4 million. Every dollar raised goes to fill holiday gift boxes for Detroit area schoolchildren ages 4 through 13.
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MI History Photo of the Week
First Tri-Color, Four-Directional Traffic Signal, 1920
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MI Trivia
Tip: Click or tap on your guess to see if you got it right!
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MI History Spotlight
The Henry Ford Museum
Want to see the historic traffic signal in our photo of the week in person? Find it and so much more on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI.
In case you missed it, we shared on our social media accounts that the first three-color, four-way electric traffic signal was installed in Detroit at Woodward Avenue and Fort Street on Dec. 20, 1920.
Developed by William Potts of the Detroit Police, this new signal replaced the red and green light, cutting down on sudden stops. By the mid-1930s, this signal was the standard around the world.
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My Michigan Reflection
Having visited the burial grounds of local Native Americans as a child and seen remarkable artifacts firsthand, it’s hard not to wonder about the stories Chief David Shoppenagon might have told.
Living through nearly the entire 19th century is remarkable in its own right — experiencing it as a Native American in Michigan would have required extraordinary resilience.
As we reflect on this Michigan Moment and others this week, I’m reminded that December is a season of gratitude and giving. We’re especially thankful for you.
In that spirit, and in honor of every Michigander reading along, we’ve donated approximately 50 cents per reader to Detroit Goodfellows.
Until next week, happy holidays, and thank you for reading Michigan History Digest.
— Zac and the Welcome Home History Team.