History

MCP History: The Wallace family’s theaters.

September 14, 2024

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. There was a time when Mason County was home to several movie theaters. This story is about the legacy of the Wallace family, which owned the 4-Star Theater in downtown Scottville and also the Star-Lite Drive-in in Pere Marquette Township. The first and only movie theater in Scottville was located at 111 S. Main St. The…

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Sept. 9, 1910: The sinking of the PM 18, the worst disaster to strike Ludington carferries

September 9, 2024

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief The worst disaster to ever strike the Ludington-based carferry fleet occurred on Sept. 9, 1910 when the S.S. Pere Marquette 18 sunk 20 miles southeast of Sheboygan, Wis., resulting in the death of 29 people. History will rank it as the second worst carferry disaster on Lake Michigan and the third worst on the Great Lakes.…

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1898 triple murder/suicide among Mason County’s most brutal crimes

May 2, 2024

This article is presented by the Mason County Historical Society in partnership with Mason County Press.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief FREE SOIL TOWNSHIP — Ron Chappel is a fifth generation resident of Free Soil Township. He and his wife, Thelma, live right on Michigan Street, the main street, in the village of Free Soil. His family has made a mark…

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52 years ago today: Tornado ripped through Riverton, Eden townships

April 12, 2024

Today’s winds are reported to be gusting about 39 mph. But, 52 years ago today, about 10:30 p.m., on Wednesday, April 12, 1972, the winds were much stronger as a tornado ripped through Riverton and Eden townships. The Mason County Press was a weekly newspaper that published on Wednesdays, so it was an entire week before the next edition came…

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Exploring the old Manistee & Grand Rapids Railroad

April 3, 2024

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Editor’s Note: On Saturday, June 1, the Mason County Historical Society will host Ghost Tour ’24: Trains, Towns, and Lumber Camps. This bus tour will explore the former Manistee & Grand Rapids Railroad along with ghost towns and former lumber camps that existed along the route. Click here to learn more. A special thanks to Mike…

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Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks