Look

A leisurely Look at Michigan’s stories and traditions from yesterday to yesteryear.

A Tale With a Twist

Perhaps you’ve never heard of Detroit’s Hank Ballard, but you’ve almost certainly heard of his dance. Ballard wrote and recorded “The Twist” in 1958. Two years later, Chubby Checker had a hit with a cover of Ballard’s song.

Flight to Freedom

Fugitive slaves Adam and Sarah Crosswhite seemed to have found sanctuary in Marshall, Michigan. Then, in January 1847, four slave catchers arrived from Kentucky.

New Features, No Keynote

No we haven’t released an e-reader for Seeking Michigan, but considering this is a week of big news: iPad, State of the Union. We’re throwing our hat into the ring.

Dashing Through the Snow

The date is February 22, 1906. The large crowd is watching a dog sled race through Ishpeming, Michigan. The race is well attended, but it’s not the week’s only attraction.

Across the Icy Green

Michiganians find inventive ways to enjoy winter. This photo provides an example.

Life in a Logging Camp

Did you ever wonder about life in an old-time lumber camp? “I worked like the dickens,” recalled one old lumberjack, “but I didn’t think anything of it.”

The Boy Governor Comes Home

Stevens T. Mason made an indelible mark on Michigan. Yet, he lived his final days in New York and was buried there. In 1905 – over sixty years after his death – Michigan’s “boy governor” finally came home!