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.

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.

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.