Explore Michigan's Drive-In theater history

I came across a pretty cool site in my browser's bookmarks that I had long ago saved and subsequently forgotten. Michigandriveins.com lets you explore the few current drive-ins still in operation as well as the drive-ins that are now closed, in pieces, or gone altogether. I find it neat to see a little piece of Americana from Michigan's past. Some of these drive-ins were quite impressive with small scale kiddie trains (the Bel-Aire in Detroit) and some were only in operation for a couple seasons (Constantine Auto Theater July 1948-September 1949).

Anyway, it is a pretty extensive site with photos, old ads, and current pictures showing the decay of some of the theaters and the longevity of the few still in operation. They even have a section devoted to drive-in restaurants both past and present.

WARNING! You will spend a long time at this site. Taking a peak at the past and the "good ol' days" that are now gone is incredibly time consuming.

Michigandriveins.com

Enjoy some history during Michigan Week

Michigan week runs from May 19 through the 25th and May 23 has been designated (by State Senator Cameron Brown) as "Michigan Historical Marker Awareness Day." We have over 1,500 historical markers all over the state. I pass by about three or four every day just driving around White Pigeon. Anyway, you are encouraged to find out more about our state's deeply historic places and plan a visit to some of our historical markers. You most likely will not have to travel far to find a historical marker. Just like me, you probably live within a short trip of at least one marker.

Where to find a Michigan Historical Marker I enjoy Jim Brennan's website - The Michigan Historical Marker Web Site. He has photographed an estimated 1,575 of Michigan's historical markers. You can view the markers by county, topic, or via a search box. He includes the text from the marker as well as a photo of the site (if the marker is gone) or the site with the marker present.

You would be amazed at how many of Michigan's historical markers are stolen. A quick search for me turned up 5 historical markers within a five mile radius. He has the search function integrated with Google Maps so you don't even have to worry about asking for directions - just print out the map. It is truly a great site for any Michigan history buff or just someone wanting to learn more about where they live.

Also, you can purchase the book by Laura Rose Ashlee, "Traveling Through Time: A Guide to Michigan's Historical Markers" which is an excellent resource and companion to Jim's website. In fact, Jim credits Laura Rose Ashlee for providing information and photos of markers that were missing before he was able to photograph them.

So do yourself a favor and learn a little bit more about where you live. It will only take a little trip and hey, there might even be an ice cream stand along the way. Not a bad deal in my book :).

Subscribe to Michigan History magazine for special Mackinac Bridge issue

If you subscribe to the Michigan History magazine by July 2007 you will receive the special 96 page issue chock full of stories about the historic bridge known as Mighty Mac. A one-year subscription is $19.95 for six issues. You can request a free trial issue and you can then either pay the $19.95 subscription to receive the five other issues or "cancel" after the trial issue is received if you are not interested in the magazine. Here are some of the topics that will be included in the special issue (via MichiganHistoryMagazine.com):

• Before the Bridge: Waiting for carferries
• Building the Bridge: From cofferdams to paint
• Courage on the Bridge: The ironworkers' stories
• Under the Bridge: A pilot's aerial stunt
• Cities at the Bridge: The history of Mackinaw City and St. Ignace
• Walking the Bridge: Recollections from Michigan History readers
• and more...

Get your free trial issue today at MichiganHistoryMagazine.com.

Mackinac State Historic Park sites opening May 7

It must be getting close to summer because the Mackinac State Historic Parks are opening for the 2007 season on May 7. Various packages are available for visiting the four historic venues that make up the Mackinac State Historic Parks - Colonial Michilimackinac, Historic Mill Creek, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, and Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island. The "Infinity Package" available through the MackinawCity.com website offers you -

• 3 Day Pass with unlimited ferry service on pre-selected ferry line
• 3 Day Unlimited Pass to Fort Mackinac, Mill Creek, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, and Colonial Michilimackinac
• Thunder Falls Family Waterpark Admission 3 day Unlimited Pass

You will have 3 days to use the unlimited passes as you wish. Prices start at $54.95 for children (5-12) up to $79.95 for adults (age 18+). Ferry tickets alone (via the Arnold Line) will run you $21 each for adults (ages 13+) and $10.50 for kids (5-12) at their regular prices.

Here are the prices for tickets to the Historic State Parks without using the special "Infinity Package".

• Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Day Pass - $5.25 (adult), $3.25 (children 6-17)
• Historic Mill Creek Day Pass - $7.25 (adult), $4.25 (children 6-17)
• Fort Mackinac Day Pass - $9.50 (adult), $5.50 (children 6-17)
• Colonial Michilimackinac Day Pass - $9.50 (adult), $5.50 (children 6-17)

Say you were a family of four (2 adults, 2 kids 17 and under) and wanted to visit all four of the Mackinac State Historic Park sites and Thunder Falls. Your cost would be as follows (if your kids are teenagers your ferry tickets will all be considered adult prices which greatly increases the cost) -

• Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse - $17
• Historic Mill Creek - $23
• Fort Mackinac - $30
• Colonial Michilimackinac - $30
• Thunder Falls - $65.80 (assuming you are going after 6/15 and your kids are under 48" tall)
• Ferry Tickets - $63
• Grand Total - $228.80

Your cost with the "Infinity Package" would be $299.80 (2 adults at $79.95 and 2 kids 13-17 at $69.95). With this package you can go to any of the Historic State Parks and Thunder Falls while riding the ferry boats as many times as you wish over a 3-day period. Lodging is extra for both the "Infinity Package" scenario and the above price breakdown for purchasing tickets individually.

There is also a "Triple Choice" ticket available for the Mackinac State Historic Parks that gets you 3 tickets to venues of your choice. Adult tickets are $20 and youth (ages 6-17) are $12.50. The tickets are valid for 7 days from the time you pick them up. They are not unlimited passes - these are single use only.

Footage of April 3, 1956 tornado destruction in Hudsonville, Michigan

April 3, 1956 tornadoes swept through west Michigan taking 17 lives and injuring 340. The 400 yard wide and 48 mile long path of destruction tore through west Michigan from Vriesland to Trufant. The National Weather Service rated the tornado an F5 - the highest rating for tornadoes. F5 Definition: Via National Weather Service Winds of 261-318 miles per hour. Incredible damage. Strong frame houses leveled off foundations and swept away; automobile-sized missiles fly through the air in excess of 100 meters (109 yds); trees debarked; incredible phenomena will occur.

Other tornadoes swept through west Michigan that early April day. Towns like Saugatuck, Holland, Bangor, and Alto were also struck by various tornadoes in the late afternoon and evening hours.

If the above player does not appear you can watch the video here.

Also, there is 8mm footage of the tornado as it ripped through Grand Rapids. You can view the footage here.