Great Lakes History Log

Sable Points Media
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  • HISTORY

Journalist, writer, photographer, historian Rob Alway tells the stories of the history of the Great Lakes region, from water and land. Great Lakes History Log is presented by Sable Points Media, a 501(c)(3) non-profit news and information organization, in partnership with Media Group 31, publisher of Mason County Press, Oceana County Press, and Great Lakes Boat Blog.

  1. The Armstice Day Storm of 1940

    NOV 15

    The Armstice Day Storm of 1940

    Send us a text On Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1940, the weather in the Great Lakes region started with temperatures in the mid-60s. But, a "weather bomb" was about to strike. By afternoon, a deadly storm, that started on the West Coast, was making its way up Lake Michigan, killing dozens of sailors and sinking five vessels. It was one of the deadliest storms to strike Lake Michigan. Support the show Thank you for following Great Lakes History Log, a production of Sable Points Media, a non-profit news and information service, in partnership with Media Group 31 and Mason County Press. Please also check out our YouTube channel.

    19 min
  2. Recalling the Day the Edmund Fitzgerald Sank, a Lake Michigan Persepctive

    NOV 14

    Recalling the Day the Edmund Fitzgerald Sank, a Lake Michigan Persepctive

    Send us a text On November 10, 1975, Vans Stevenson and Todd Reed were reporters for the Ludington Daily News in Ludington, Michigan on the east shore of Lake Michigan. Both young reporters covered the storm that struck Mason County, Michigan that day. Later that day, the storm made its way up Lake Michigan, over the Upper Peninsula and collided with two other storm fronts at White Fish POINT, causing the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald. It was the second worst storm on record at Ludington. In this episode of Great Lakes history log we speak with Stevenson and Reed about their experiences that day.  Vans Stevenson is retired as the vice president of government affairs with the Motion Picture Association. Todd Reed is a nature and landscape photographer. He served over 30 years in the U.S. Guard Reserves retiring as a chief petty officer.  Support the show Thank you for following Great Lakes History Log, a production of Sable Points Media, a non-profit news and information service, in partnership with Media Group 31 and Mason County Press. Please also check out our YouTube channel.

    28 min
  3. Ida Anderson - Ludington's Titanic Connection

    OCT 24

    Ida Anderson - Ludington's Titanic Connection

    Send us a text A small and shiny marker sits at the corner of a family plot at Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington, Michigan. There actually is no grave for this person, instead the marker serves as a memorial for a woman who lost her life in what is the most famous shipwreck in history, the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic. MY APOLOGIES TO ALL THOSE WHO KEEP TRACK, I INADVERTENTLY SAID "HMS" RATHER THAN "RMS" IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS PODCAST.  Support the show Thank you for following Great Lakes History Log, a production of Sable Points Media, a non-profit news and information service, in partnership with Media Group 31 and Mason County Press. Please also check out our YouTube channel.

    13 min
  4. Murder on Crystal Lake

    SEP 16

    Murder on Crystal Lake

    Send us a text A bizarre murder took place along the shores of Crystal Lake near Scottville, Michigan, in 1934. The victim was 62-year-old Bertha Bean, also known as Bertha Comley. The sole suspect was Bean’s commonwealth husband, 68-year-old Charles Comley,. Support the show Thank you for following Great Lakes History Log, a production of Sable Points Media, a non-profit news and information service, in partnership with Media Group 31 and Mason County Press. Please also check out our YouTube channel.

    12 min
  5. The Sinking of the Pere Marquette 18, Sept. 9, 1910

    SEP 8

    The Sinking of the Pere Marquette 18, Sept. 9, 1910

    Send us a text On Sept. 9, 1910, the worst disaster to strike the Pere Marquette Railway's carferry fleet occurred. The Pere Marquette 18, the company's flagship while under way between Ludington, Michigan and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was the first carferry sinking to occur in Lake Michigan but wouldn't be the last.  Support the show Thank you for following Great Lakes History Log, a production of Sable Points Media, a non-profit news and information service, in partnership with Media Group 31 and Mason County Press. Please also check out our YouTube channel.

    32 min
  6. The Communists of Mason County, Michigan and the 1934 Custer Farmers' Riot

    SEP 2

    The Communists of Mason County, Michigan and the 1934 Custer Farmers' Riot

    Send us a text The Great Depression was especially harsh on the farming community. In Mason County, Michigan, George Casper latched on the communist cause by first running for state representative and then later trying to get farmers to join his political movement. His efforts backfired in 1934 with a riot in the village of Custer.  Support the show Thank you for following Great Lakes History Log, a production of Sable Points Media, a non-profit news and information service, in partnership with Media Group 31 and Mason County Press. Please also check out our YouTube channel.

    13 min
  7. The Rescue of the Rutter After It Lost Its Rudder

    AUG 24

    The Rescue of the Rutter After It Lost Its Rudder

    Send us a text In 1879, Capt. Frederick Kendrick was awarded the United States Gold Lifesaving Medal for his heroic act of saving 44 men from the schooner J.H. Rutter off the shore of Ludington, Michigan near what is now the north end of Stearns Park.  This podcast is a presentation of Filer Credit Union and the Mason County Historical Society. It is a production of Sable Points Media in partnership with Mason County Press.  Support the show Thank you for following Great Lakes History Log, a production of Sable Points Media, a non-profit news and information service, in partnership with Media Group 31 and Mason County Press. Please also check out our YouTube channel.

    11 min
  8. The 1993 Unsolved Murder of Melissa Simmons

    AUG 14

    The 1993 Unsolved Murder of Melissa Simmons

    Send us a text In 1993, 15-year-old Melissa Simmons was found, murdered, in the Pere Marquette River in Mason County, Michigan. Since that time, the unsolved murder has haunted the small town of Scottville and the surrounding area.  Support the show Thank you for following Great Lakes History Log, a production of Sable Points Media, a non-profit news and information service, in partnership with Media Group 31 and Mason County Press. Please also check out our YouTube channel.

    13 min
See All (14)

About

Journalist, writer, photographer, historian Rob Alway tells the stories of the history of the Great Lakes region, from water and land. Great Lakes History Log is presented by Sable Points Media, a 501(c)(3) non-profit news and information organization, in partnership with Media Group 31, publisher of Mason County Press, Oceana County Press, and Great Lakes Boat Blog.

Information

  • Creator
    Sable Points Media
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Sable Points Media, Inc.
  • Show Website
    Great Lakes History Log

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