history

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Michigan’s Magic Cemetery

The small town of Colon, Michigan in St. Joseph County (population 1,128 according to the 2020 census) is commonly referred to as the “Magic Capital of the World”. It was here in Colon that magicians of the early twentieth century would flock to buy their supplies, tricks and costumes and where they would gather each summer for a festival like no other (an event which is held annually in August). And, it is where many remain today — interred in the Lakeside Cemetery.

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Promote Michigan Blog

2021 Milestones for Pure Michigan Businesses

Michigan was founded on January 26, 1837 as the 26th state of the United States of America. Currently home to nearly 10 million people, spread out throughout two peninsulas, Michigan is the Great Lakes State – the Mitten of Plenty – the Wolverine State. Michigan’s early business history is centered in industries that benefited from its proximity to the Great Lakes: fishing, lumbering, mining, fur trapping and agriculture.

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Promote Michigan Blog

The 2020 Census is Counting on You!

I think I first heard the word census during the summer of 1980, when I was in elementary school, and we spent our summer vacation researching our family tree on a cross-state road trip. I’m not sure I recall what it was or what it meant back then, but in recent years – as I’ve found a growing interest in my family history as well as the lives of others while researching for my writing, I have been finding more and more reason to access census data online.

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Storyteller, Historian & Author Dianna Stampfler to Present “Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses” at the Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library in Bay City on July 17

Michigan storyteller, historian and author Dianna Stampfler will present a lively and upbeat historical program on Wednesday, July 17 at 6:30pm at the Alice and Jack Wirt Public Library in downtown Bay City – drawing stories from her newly released best-selling book “Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses”  (which includes the Saginaw River Rear Range Light in Bay City on the cover). The program is free and open to the public as the community rallies to welcome the 2019 Tall Ship Celebration.

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News Releases

Storyteller, Historian & Author Dianna Stampfler to Present 6 Lighthouse Themed Programs throughout eastern Upper Peninsula this June

Michigan storyteller, historian and author Dianna Stampfler will be traveling around the eastern Upper Peninsula mid-June to share stories from many of the state’s historic lighthouses. Michigan is home to more lighthouses (and freshwater coastline) than any other state and during her six entertaining and educational presentations, Stampfler will delve into the keepers’ lives.

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