Welcome Home, {{first_name|default:Michigander}}!
🗓️ This Week’s MI Moments
Digest Exclusive: Following Henry Ford's death in 1947, the Ford Motor Company sold the Iron Mountain chemical facility in 1951 to an investment group that renamed the product Kingsford Chemical Company.
The surrounding company town, incorporated on December 29, 1923, retained the name Kingsford, Michigan, honoring Edward G. Kingsford's role in establishing the regional timber operations. Operations were eventually acquired by Clorox in 1973.
✝️ Underwater Crucifix in Little Traverse Bay
Bonus: The monument was originally commissioned in 1956 for $2,500 by a grieving family from Rapson, Michigan, to honor their 15-year-old son, Gerald Schipinski, who died in a farm accident. During transit from Italy, the marble cross was damaged, breaking 1 of the arms of Christ.
Once purchased, the Superior Marine Divers Club originally dedicated the submerged monument to Charles Raymond, a 21-year-old diver who drowned in Torch Lake in 1956, before broadening the memorial to honor all who have lost their lives in Great Lakes waters.
🎉 The Arsenal of Democracy, Detroit, MI
Digest Exclusive: Following the surrender announcement on August 14, 1945, the federal government began terminating defense contracts across Michigan manufacturing facilities.
This policy allowed major automakers to retool their assembly plants and resume civilian passenger car production before the end of 1945.
Tip: Click the underlined title for any moment to watch on YouTube for free!
💬 MI Community Spotlight
Social Comment of the Week
“My wife walked out one winter to see this. I have told people that we got to walk on water and see Jesus!”
— Steve from Facebook
Steve put viewing the nation's only freshwater underwater crucifix in Little Traverse Bay into a unique perspective and one you may only experience in Michigan.
📸 MI Photo of the Week
Ford Charcoal Briquets Being Bagged
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company - circa 1935
📍 MI People & Places
Surrender of Fort Detroit
On August 16, 1812, Brigadier General William Hull surrendered Fort Detroit and the entire Michigan Territory to British Major General Isaac Brock and Native allies led by Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812.
This decisive military event temporarily placed Detroit under British military control and reshaped territorial strategy along the Great Lakes frontier.
The loss served as a crucial turning point that galvanized American military resolve to build up naval power on Lake Erie and recapture the Northwest Territory.
🔎 MI Local Spotlight
Ladies’ Literary Club of Grand Rapids
The historic Ladies’ Literary Club of Grand Rapids is hosting a free Open House on Sunday, August 30, from 12-4pm. Taking place at 61 Sheldon Blvd SE, Grand Rapids and is open to all.
The building’s historic ties to figures like Susan B. Anthony and Teddy Roosevelt make it such a special landmark. Tour the building, meet the women bringing it back to life, and discover how you can become part of its next chapter.
Learn more about this historic club and upcoming event on their Instagram page
✍🏼 My Michigan Reflection
I’ve had the privilege of spending the past few days in the U.P. with my fiancée (it happens to be her birthday today!), where we’ve hiked to the top of Hogback and Sugarloaf Mountains, jumped off the Black Rocks at Presque Isle Park, explored Fayette Historic State Park, and even shared a brew with a local miner.
I would be remiss not to wish her a happy birthday and thank her for supporting me every step of the way. When I was laid off in April 2025, she encouraged me to chase my dream of running my own business—even when it turned out to be a passion project about Michigan history. Without her belief, I wouldn't be typing this newsletter, making our weekly videos, or investing so much into the project I’m working on behind the scenes (and can’t wait to tell you more about soon).
A special shout-out to Michigan History Digest reader and founding member of the 1837 Club, Spencer, for recommending the Fayette Historic Townsite. It was awesome to step back into the town's history—and a fitting experience given its charcoal kilns and what we shared about Kingsford Charcoal this week!
Until next week, thank you for reading Michigan History Digest.
— Zac and the Welcome Home History Team.
🎓 MI History Trivia
In August 2025, the Mackinac Bridge set an all-time single-month record by carrying how many vehicles across the Straits of Mackinac?
Tip: Click or tap on your guess to see how you did!
P.S. You can leave us any feedback you may have after making your guess or replying to this email.
