Port Austin — Tucked between Lake Huron and the interstates, Michigan’s Thumb is “Up North” for those who live near Detroit or Macomb County. This is where time slows down.
What happens here? Not much. That’s the charm of it.
Lake Huron separates the Thumb from Canada, the Saginaw Bay separates it from the rest of Michigan, and expressways separate us from the more populous parts of the state. This isolation has shaped the culture and way of life here, and it’s something locals genuinely appreciate.
We’re free from the rush of traffic, crowded streets, and constant hustle. This encourages self-sufficiency. Most folks grow their own vegetables at home, while sharing the abundance with neighbors. Sure, we have a Walmart and a Meijer in Bad Axe, but farmers markets and local shops and restaurants provide all of the essentials for living in a rural place with few conveniences.
There is pride in Polish, German, and Scandinavian family culture in the Thumb that is reflected in our food, the polka music that plays on the radio on Saturdays, and even our dialect. Some of us pronounce US-53 as “fit-tee tree.”
What stands out most in the Thumb is its tight-knit community. It’s the kind of place where your neighbor can tell something’s wrong before you even tell them. A majority of the region’s residents were raised or currently work on a farm. Everyone knows they have to pitch in to ensure that the farm thrives. Everyone knows what it feels like to have a mouthful of dust or boots full of manure.
At the core of Thumb life is agriculture. This is the breadbasket of Michigan. When the area was originally surveyed by settlers, they reported that it is nothing more than a “swampy morass.”
Our rich soil, nurtured by both glacial deposits and the proximity to Lake Huron, is ideal for farming. We grow sugar beets, corn, soybeans, dry beans, and wheat, but dairy farming and livestock are also big.
The region’s agricultural industry provides the backbone of the Thumb’s economy. One of the most well-known local businesses is Michigan Sugar in Sebewaing, which has been in operation since 1906. Owned by over 1,200 sugar beet farmers, it’s a mainstay of the local economy. Each year, the Michigan Sugar Festival celebrates the harvest.
The Thumb is also known for its bean soup, a dish that originated in Kinde, a village of 433 souls in Huron County. This humble but hearty soup has become a symbol of the region’s agricultural roots and is so iconic that it’s served daily in the U.S. Senate.
The seasons here are marked by the rhythm of the agricultural calendar, and even though the snow may fall in heavy drifts, the land and its people remain resilient. It’s common to see farm equipment working in the snow, preparing fields, or plowing roads, even when most people are hunkered down.
In winter, the Thumb is still buzzing with activity. Community fundraisers, holiday parades, and winter carnivals keep the spirit alive. Whether it’s a Friday fish fry or a dinner at the local hall, residents continue to gather for shared meals and laughter, despite the chill in the air.
In the summer, the Thumb suddenly springs to life. The area may be quiet most of the year, but once the snow melts and the weather breaks, it’s a completely different vibe. Snowbirds return to their nests, opening up cottages for the first time in months letting fresh air in. People from Macomb County and Detroit flood in to enjoy the shoreline. Lake Huron is the place to be, whether you’re into fishing, boating, or just chilling by the water.
Towns like Port Austin and Caseville bustle with farmers markets, beachgoers, and waterfront festivals. This is when the Thumb’s natural beauty shines. Caseville, often referred to as Key North, is home to the Cheeseburger festival. Over 30,000 people attend the festival that celebrates Jimmy Buffet’s laid-back “Cheeseburger in Paradise” lifestyle.
While the Thumb has vibrant small towns, it also has an eerie side. Scattered across the landscape are abandoned towns—ghost towns that stand as reminders of the region’s past. Old abandoned rail lines run through towns that once thrived but have since been left to fade into history. Places like Tyre, Port Crescent, and White Rock are now little more than remnants, their once-bustling streets now silent.
These ghost towns serve as haunting reminders of the region’s past—of the people who lived, worked, and shaped the Thumb, and of the changing economic forces that led to their decline.
In the Thumb, life is about simplicity. Old towns may have faded into ghosts, but the remaining communities still carry on our traditions.
Without the Thumb, we wouldn’t be the Mitten State.
Jeremy Ritts is a grain elevator operator from Port Austin.
