• Sunday-What'sUP April 6 - 02:02 pm

Our Day in History feature often cites events of worldwide importance, then relates it to the region of our focus, Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The declaration of war on this day in 1917 set events into motion that would lead to the creation of the Michigan State Police.

Edie and I passed several MSP Posts on the way back from Marquette to the Copper Country yesterday, and thought it might be nice to explore a little more of their history. Today's Shoebox Memory is the first of a two part, which we'll conclude next week. Hope you enjoy the 1937 newsreel, which was produced when MSP was only 20 years old.

Just a word about the old Calumet State Police Post. It appeared on these pages about 16 years ago (have we really been doing this that long?) and I thought it would be nice to someday explore the building. It was the previous payroll office of C&H before it became the State Post. To make a long story short, we did have the opportunity to explore it a few years back when Calumet Township, the current owner, offered Pasty.NET space in the building and on the adjacent tower. The words I am typing now will actually pass through that building, as does all of our Internet traffic north of Mohawk. Last fall we had fiber installed to our network center, which is in the lower level, and it became our central hub for serving the Keweenaw.

Join us next Sunday for Part 2. Have a good week :o)

That first photo harks me back to the 1940s ~ had an uncle and aunt who lived and travelled in a trailer just like that one. He was in the construction business. I always wanted to live like that...looked like fun.
Interesting info, Charlie, thanks.

Neat photos and video! Looking forward to next week! Appreciate the service of the MSP and all PDs!

Bob got to know a MSP on a vacation UP to the U.P. ;)

I received some good advise form a MSP officer as he was writing me up for speeding back in the '70s: "Don't go over 10 mph above the speed limit and we won't even bat an eye." And he was right.

Those old trailers are worth big bucks now days....in any condition. 15 over is the threshold down state.
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MSP, they do a great job that sometimes can be very dangerous as we all know.
Attend NMU in the late 70's, I was on a first name basis with most of them in the U.P. in 1977 I had 15 points for speeding! Hey what can I say, MS. Vicki was in Detroit at the time...LOVE...enough said. Best time from Marquette to Farmington Hills...6 and 1/4 hours, with Marshall Tucker's "24 hours at a time" in the cassette player!
BTW, Lost my License for 90 days back then, Grampa Norm was not pleased!
What memories!!! lol

Does anyone have information regarding the beautiful
stonework on all the old C&H office buildings? I seem to recall
that the rocks were "poor rock" from the mines. They must
have been sliced somehow to provide the smooth exterior.
Thanks

Retired Law Enforcement from Fresno Ca, now living in
Charlevoix....great news reel!

As a retired State Trooper (1967-1992) I thoroughly enjoyed the 1937 film. I have seen many older films of the State Police but not this one. Thanks for celebrating the 97 years.