EXPLORING
A DIVERSE HISTORY
The Cadillac Community is proud of its rich and diverse history. From our earliest residents, the local Native American People, to the healthy tourism economy that exists today – Cadillac has evolved to stand the test of time.
EXPLORING CADILLAC CULTURE
The Cadillac Area honors and celebrates its past with historic tours, museums, preservation of stunning architecture, and so much more. Your visit to our region will not be complete without exploring Cadillac’s history. Locals and visitors alike can learn about our past through the architecture, sculptures and monuments spread throughout our region that help to tell the stories of our past.
We hope you enjoy stepping back through time!
- Historic tour descriptions and maps
- Historical facts, locations, information, and links
- Cadillac historic and cultural resources and organizations
- Local resources for the arts
STORIES OF CADILLAC – THE EARLY CHAPTERS
A History Rich in Logging & Manufacturing
HISTORICAL TOURING OPPORTUNITIES IN CADILLAC
Prepare to learn and explore when you select one of the self-guided tours below.
Old Indian Trail Markers
Chart your path from Cadillac to Traverse City along a centuries old trail traversed by the Native Americans that inhabited the region.
Access a complete map and description of each marker by downloading the self-guided tour here.
Explore Old Cadillac & Sculptures
Cadillac has an incredible collection of historic sites, sculptures and monuments. Many of these historic buildings stand proudly today and their owners have a passion for their preservation.
Access the complete self-guided tour now.
Take the Cadillac KISStory Tour
The iconic story from 1975 when the Rock Back KISS visited Cadillac High’s Homecoming. This self-guided tour brings you to the top locations with historic markers and expanded information. Access our complete self guided tour here to learn more.
The Cadillac Arts Council, established by the City of Cadillac in 1968, fosters cultural growth by supporting arts programs of all disciplines and aiding member groups in their efforts to enhance the local arts scene.
CAC members include: Cadillac Area Symphony Orchestra, Cadillac Community Chorus, Cadillac Footliters, Cadillac Garden Club, Cadillac Philharmonic Club, Clam Lake Band, Friends of the Cadillac Library, Gopherwood Concerts, Jam & Bread, Up North Arts & the Wexford County Historical Society.
The Founding of Cadillac – Pre 1900’s to the Present Day
1872: Clam Lake Village (Cadillac) is Organized
In 1840, Wexford County was originally named Kautawabet, an Indian word meaning “broken tooth.” Chief Broken Tooth was a Potawatami leader. In 1843, Michigan legislators renamed the county Wexford, after a southern county of Ireland. The earliest known white settler in Wexford County was Benjamin Hall in 1862.
In 1872, with the G.R. & I. Railroad reaching this northern settlement, George A. Mitchell founded and was also elected the first mayor of Cadillac, originally known as Clam Lake. Cadillac was incorporated as a city in 1877, taking its name from Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, an early Michigan explorer and founder of Detroit. Four main families helped settle Cadillac. Streets, buildings and landmarks include the Mitchell, Cummer, Diggins and Cobb family names.
1873: The Clam Lake Canal
During 1873, the canal connecting Big and Little Clam Lakes was completed by the lumber mills on land donated by George Mitchell. The canal was roughly 20 feet wide by .3 miles long and allowed logs to be floated from shores of Big Clam Lake to the railroad lines in this thriving lumbering community. Widening and dredging of the canal was done in 1877, 1886, 1894, 1896, 1900, 1965, and in 1996
1878: The Shay Locomotive
Cadillac was one of the few non-river lumbering communities that grew and prospered. The main reason for this was that in 1878, Ephraim Shay perfected his Shay Locomotive, which was particularly effective in its ability to climb steep mountain grades effortlessly and to maneuver sharp turns and imperfections in railroad tracks. Until the invention of the Shay Locomotive, horses were used to transport logs, but this process was slow, costly and often dangerous. The lumbering industry was dominant in the 1880-1900 and included many Swedish immigrants.
1882: The Battle for the County Seat
The original plan for Cadillac included a county courthouse, which set off a multiple decade fight with Sherman for the county seat. That altercation resulted in politics at its worst and several townships being created. Sherman, near Mesick, was the first county seat. Manton briefly held the honor, but in 1882, after a long and bitter political struggle, Cadillac was permanently chosen.
Cadillac Fast Facts
- Cadillac Area has some of the largest concentrations of morel mushrooms in the United States.
- The City of Cadillac maintains 115 acres of public parks.
- Christmas trees cut from our Huron-Manistee National Forest have been sent to both our state capital and our nation’s capital to be displayed as official Capital Christmas Trees.
- Wexford County, just south of Cadillac, boasts the highest peak in the Lower Peninsula.
- Cadillac is surrounded with 94 lakes and over 1000 miles of streams.
- The Wexford County Historical Museum was originally built as a Carnegie Library.
- Cadillac is an anchor point of the White Pine Trail State Park, which is a 92 mile linear State park stretching 92 miles.
- Cadillac earned the designation of “Pure Michigan Trail Town” in 2022.
- Cadillac has hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails.
- Caberfae Peaks Ski area is the oldest ski resort in Michigan and 4th oldest in the United States.
- Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell together offer over 3700 acres of prime fishing habitat.
Local Historical Organizations
- Wexford County Historical Society & Museum
- Mesick Area Historical Museum
- Manton Area Historical Museum
- Wexford County Genealogy Organization
- Cadillac Wexford Public Library
- Historical Society of Michigan
- Michigan Historic Preservation Network
- National Register of Historic Places
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Preservation Directory
GENEOLOGY INFORMATION
Cadillac Yesterday
Cadillac has a long and interesting history. Cadillac is the largest City in Wexford County originally named by Native Americans as “Kautawabet” meaning “Broken Tooth”, after a Potawatamie chief who signed the Great Peace Treaty of 1825. Cadillac was first organized in 1872 by George Mitchell (a lumber baron) and was named Clam Lake Village. The county seat, however, was in the village of Sherman, although Manton briefly held the honor. In 1882 there was a political dispute to change the location of the county seat. A group of politicians thought to change the name of Clam Lake Village to Cadillac, after Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, an early Michigan explorer and founder of Detroit. Changing the name tricked the legislators and Cadillac became the “new” county seat.
Lumber was the prime industry in the late 1800’s. The population grew to about 10,000. There were four main families that helped to settle Cadillac. They were Mitchell, Cummer, Diggens and Cobb. These names are prevalent throughout Cadillac; streets, buildings and other landmarks are named after them.
Cadillac was one of the few non-river lumbering communities that grew and prospered. The main reason for this was due to the invention of the Shay Locomotive, invented and constructed in Cadillac by Ephraim Shay. The Shay was instrumental in the success of the logging industry because of its ability to climb steep mountains grades effortlessly and to maneuver sharp turns and imperfections in the track. Until the invention of the Shay Locomotive horses were used to transport the logs. This was a slow, costly and often dangerous process. Cadillac is fortunate to have a restored Shay Locomotive displayed at the City Park.
Another historic landmark in Cadillac and the success of the logging industry in Cadillac is the Clam Lake Canal. In 1873 a canal was constructed connecting Big and Little Clam Lakes (Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac). Connecting the two lakes enabled logging from the west side of Lake Mitchell possible by floating the logs through the canal into Lake Cadillac and on to town reaching the railroad. One of the most interesting facts about the Canal is in winter the canal freezes first but once the lakes freeze over the canal opens up and do not freeze again until the next winter.
Cadillac Today
Still connected to our forestry roots, the community of Cadillac embraces the forest and woodlands for recreation, education and resources for our local industries. Cadillac rests on the edge the Huron-Manistee National Forest where rivers run, wildlife abounds and nature unfolds in front of you. Recreation in the nature areas of Cadillac is very important to the tourism industry. Because of its importance, the people Cadillac work hard to preserve and improve the natural beauty and health of our community.
As a part of the W.Mitchell State Park, the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center offers many programs on sportsman safety, wildlife education, and nature appreciation. The Center also includes full size exhibits and a wall size fish aquarium featuring fish native to Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell. Behind the Center is the Heritage Nature Trail leading through to the Heritage Marsh, a great opportunity to study plants and wildlife native to the area.
Cadillac is still a leader in manufacturing and industry. The main industrial exports from Cadillac include fiberglass boats, automotive iron castings as well as rubber and plastics for the automotive market. There are many other industries in the Cadillac area that make up a very successful industrial base. Cadillac has kept a charming atmosphere in the Downtown Lakeside Shopping District with a variety of locally owned shops ranging from antiques to art, clothing to books, unique eateries to handmade chocolates.
One block west of downtown is Lake Cadillac. The Cadillac Commons district connects our downtown to the lakeshore, sections of the Commons include: The Market, The Plaza (with outdoor fireplace and splashpad), The City Park, The White Pine Trail Head and the Cadillac Rotary Performing Arts Pavilion. The Keith McKellop Walkway is a popular way to enjoy our lakeshore views as well as the City Dock and bike path circling Lake Cadillac. The Lakes still play an important part in Cadillac, although today it is largely recreational. Boaters, skiers, and fishermen enjoy the lakes year around.
Legend of Dogman
The legend of the Michigan Dogman describes a fictional creature that is said to roam Cadillac, Michigan area and The Little Manistee river banks. Described as a half-man, half dog (or wolf), it is an animal undocumented by science, yet has been seen and photographed by scores of individuals. It has been categorized by cryptozoologists as a “Hairy Hominid” or “Upright Canid.” Creatures in this sub-species include a variety of hybrid creatures such as Bigfoot, Yeti, Skunk Ape, etc. Each exhibits human characteristics such as walking upright at least part of the time, but each also bears unmistakable animal traits, such as a body that is covered by fur.
The Dogman legend has been around in various forms for thousands of years, and appears in Native American lore among disparate tribes who lived or traveled through the upper Midwest. The Ottawa/Chippewa tribes in particular speak of a race of hybrid humans known as ‘shapeshifters,’ who could transform themselves into any number of animal forms at will.