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Get to know Michigan like never before with this collection of facts and stories that explore the state’s history and culture, including funny, weird, and wild moments.
If you think you know Michigan, think again! Of course, there are the Great Lakes, the Motor City, and the championship sports teams, but did you know that Michigan once had a self-proclaimed king living on an island in Lake Michigan? How about that Chrysler made 22,000 tanks for the war effort in World War II? Have you heard about fluorescent sodalite? It glows under an ultraviolet flashlight and is a sought-after find. Curious & Fascinating Facts: Michigan is your guide to everything you ever wanted to know about the Great Lakes State and plenty of information that you never knew you needed to know!
Written by Michigander Kathryn Houghton and packed with hundreds of facts—including the weird, wild, and wonderfully unexpected—this book is perfect for the campfire, road trips, family games, trivia night, or quiet reading time. It goes beyond a history lesson—it’s a journey through Michigan’s arts, culture, natural wonders, and so much more.
Test your knowledge with topics like these:
- The invention that put the world on wheels
- Wild encounters with animals—and monsters?
- Maritime mysteries and shipwreck legends
- Famous Michiganders, from movies to Motown
Whether you’re a proud resident or a visitor who loves quirky facts, prepare to explore Michigan—one fascinating fact at a time!
Kathryn Houghton is a professor of writing and editing at Michigan State University. She lives with a pack of silken windhounds that only occasionally chew up her research materials. One item on Kathryn’s Michigan bucket list is to see a Kirtland’s warbler in the wild.
Introduction
Michigan (and Michiganders or Michiganians) at a Glance
Geography and Geology
The Great Lakes
Weather and Climate
Plants and Animals
History
Famous Michigan
Strange Michigan
Michigan Crime and Other Odd Happenings
Sports and Leisure
Food and Drink
Music, Movies, Television, and Literature
Photo Credits
Works Cited
About the Author