James Jesse Strang, otherwise known as the "King of Beaver Island," was a Mormon polygamist. Even though he passed away at the age of forty-three, he left behind a turbulent reign. It was one that affected a community of nearly 3,000 'Strangites' on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan. How did this community come about, and do they still remain on Beaver Island? Let's find out!

The death of Douglas Hendricks and subsequent disappearance of Douglas Bowers seemingly happened out of the blue. Just what caused things to go so awry between one stepson and his stepfather? This case is currently unsolved, having been under active investigation since 2018. As such, while we might not have all the answers, we can certainly speculate as to what may have transpired that fateful day.

We’re moving away from natural disasters and peering into the life of a self-proclaimed cult leader, Benny Evangelista, and his family--the victims of a gruesome crime that occurred in 1929. The St. Aubin Avenue Massacre is one of Michigan's most harrowing cases, and it remains unsolved. With the patriarch believing in odd things and strange practices, police aren't sure what's a clue and what’s not as they venture into the Evangelista's home for answers.

On Thursday, June 8th, almost seventy years ago, a black funnel cloud so large it tinged the sky green arrived in the little community of Beecher. In its wake, it left 116 dead, over 800 injured, and $215 million worth of damages. On this week's episode, we take a look at Michigan's Flint Beecher tornado--one of the most destructive natural disasters to have occurred in Michigan.

Everyone loves an origin story, and this week, we’re looking back on Sanilac County's local history. It all started with a horse race, a lumber baron’s grudge, and a swamp figure, but it morphed into the story of two towns fighting for the county seat. Somehow the courthouse emerged from all of this, but we're going to need to explain a few things before we get to that part.

On today's episode of Thumbing Through the Archives, we take a look at the achievements of Michigan's so-called "fastest cow." Her name is Taffy, and her former owner has plenty to tell us about this bovine's moo-ving tale. Just how fast was her record? What else is there to know?

Dive into the pages of Michigan’s history with Thumbing Through the Archives. This week's episode is all about the Edmund Fitzgerald. As one of the most popular ships to have sailed the Great Lakes, there is plenty to learn about this marvel. Buckle up and grab a snack (or two) as we uncover its mysteries and histor(y)-ies.

Just where is a church caretaker meant to turn when he discovers the fright of his life? Filled with tales of hypnotism and corpse burning, the murder that occurred at Rattle Run is a story not for the faint of heart. We advise our listeners to proceed with caution if they find discussion about such topics distressing.

Continuing our deep dive into the case of the "Dying Sparlings," we’re wrapping up the official investigation concerning (and trial for) the death of the family’s youngest son. Will justice be served, or will the lack of answers forever cloud public perceptions? Join us as we unravel the Sparling family's ties to a certain town doctor and his plans to bring about their end.

Discover the origins of one of the Thumb's greatest but relatively unknown mysteries: the Sparling Murders. This case spanned the course of several years during the 1900s, but its effects lasted much longer. Were the deaths of multiple family members a mere coincidence? Or, was there something more devious going on behind the scenes?