History

Badger turns 72 today

March 21, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The SS Badger turns 72 years ago today. On March 21, 1953, the 410-foot Badger made its maiden voyage from Ludington to Milwaukee. It was the last of the great cross-lake ferries built for service on Lake Michigan, a tradition that began in Ludington 150 years ago this year. In 1951, the C&O Railroad…

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Historical Society seeking local yearbooks

March 19, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society is seeking Mason County school yearbooks to add to its Rose Hawley Memorial Archives. While the Society’s yearbook collection is extensive, many years are missing. Yearbooks from any era are welcome, including recent yearbooks. The books serve as a valuable resource in historical preservation and research. The goal of…

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Capt. John Bissell served Ludington carferries for over three decades

February 4, 2025

This year marks the 150th anniversary of cross-lake service out of Ludington. The service began in 1875, a year after the completion of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railway, which terminated in Ludington. Initially, break-bulk freighters were used — a process that required freight to be unloaded at the dock, placed on the ship, then unloaded at the other dock.…

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Dec. 1 marks 150 years of railroad service in Mason County

November 28, 2024

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief In 2023, the City of Ludington celebrated its sesquicentennial. The 150th anniversary of Ludington’s 1873 incorporation as a city was worthy of celebration. An event that took place the next year, Dec. 1, 1874, has received far less fanfare, but was arguably more impactful on the entire region. That event was the completion of the Flint…

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Can you identify these photographs? The MCC/Scottville Schools History Project

November 17, 2024

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central Schools in partnership with Mason County Press.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief/Member of Mason County Historical Society Board of Directors Editor’s Note: This is the beginning of a series of postings that will serve to ask the public for information about photographs from the Mason County Central School District historical archives. This…

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Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks