There's No Community In Michigan More Enchanting And Historic Than Cadillac
By Jack Springgate|Published August 16, 2023
×
Jack Springgate
Author
I'm proud to be from the great state of Michigan. I've lived in the Mitten several different times throughout my life spending time in all corners of it. My journeys took me up and down the Lake Michigan coast, out east to explore Detroit and Ann Arbor, and to the dense forests of the UP.
Before writing with Only In Your State, I worked as a local TV news reporter and anchor, most recently in South Bend. Many of the stories I covered took place in Southwest Michigan. My roots are even deeper in the Wolverine State as I often head to Kalamazoo to visit family.
When I'm not out exploring nature, I'm avidly watching sports. I specifically have a deep love for the Michigan Wolverines (my alma mater), and I get to write about them and several other Big Ten teams as and editor for Athlon Sports. I also love to enjoy the great outdoors with my wife and our dog, Piper.
I'm excited to share all my favorite Michigan destinations with you. Keep exploring.
When most of us think of Cadillac, our minds might go to something on four wheels, but when Michiganders hear that word, it brings memories of year-round family fun in one of the most beautiful towns in Michigan. While the trails, lakes, and entertainment are all convincing reasons to plan a trip to Cadillac, folks will also get lost in the rich history this community has to teach visitors. Here are six destinations I highly recommend visiting in this town:
Get lost in the pictures, interviews, and artifacts that tell the story of how Cadillac, Michigan came to be at the Wexford County Historical Society. The museum will literally take you back to the early days of this community with a fabricated walking tour of what downtown used to look like. Starting here definitely inspired some of the other stops I made when travelling through Cadillac.
You might be asking yourself what this famous rock band has to do with Cadillac. Well when the Cadillac High School football team needed some extra motivation in 1974, they looked to the Hall of Fame rock group for inspiration. After rattling off wins in their last 7 games of the season, Kiss heard about their story. They came to the small town of Cadillac the following year to play the school's 1975 Homecoming dance and the rest is history. Now you can relive the story through their Kisstory Tour.
Explore some of Cadillac’s most historic buildings through a two-mile walking tour of old downtown. Many of these buildings now have different purposes, but the foundation of this community lies in the origin of these structures.
This is the centerpiece of downtown Cadillac where you can learn more about the town’s history, take in live music, or even shop at their farmer’s market that gives visitors a chance to taste the flavors you can only find in Northwest Michigan.
Cadillac would not be here today if not for the thriving lumber industry in the 1800s. As one of the few non-river lumber towns, they needed to get creative when it came to methods of transporting tons and tons of wood. Thanks to the Shay Locomotive, that’s now proudly on display in the Cadillac Commons, this community was able to overcome its disadvantages and lean on lumber as their first big industry.
Those who’ve driven through Cadillac realize it’s surrounded by water. Lake Cadillac is a popular destination for recreation on the water and relaxation.
Just like many of the recreational opportunities you’ll find in Cadillac, its history can be enjoyed year-round. It’s just another reason to mark this community on your map for an exciting educational adventure.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
