Bay Port in Huron County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Bay Port Fishing District

Photographed By Kathy Garman, June 28, 2020

1. Bay Port Fishing District Marker

Inscription. The Gillingham Fish Company was established in 1886; the Bay Port Fish Company in 1895. At their peak in the 1920s and 1930s, they shipped tons of perch, walleye, herring, whitefish and carp to New York and Chicago in refrigerated railroad cars. Once known as one of the largest fresh water commercial fishing ports in the world, Bay Port retains a commercial fishery that operates much as it did in the past. Bay Port also offers sport fishing, water skiing, ice fishing and hunting.

Erected 1986 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S458.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 43° 51.119′ N, 83° 22.464′ W. Marker is in Bay Port, Michigan, in Huron County. Marker is on Lakeside Drive, 0.2 miles north of Main Street (State Route 25), on the left when traveling south. The marker is among some trees and shrubs in the median and is more easily accessible from the south traffic flow lane of Lakeside Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bay Port MI 48720, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Stagecoaches (approx. 0.2 miles away); Henry A. Hamp / Alfred R. Vogel

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(approx. 2.2 miles away); Great Fire of 1881 (approx. 2.2 miles away); Pigeon Depot (approx. 5½ miles away); An Original 56# Rail (approx. 8.1 miles away); Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 8.1 miles away); John C. Liken / John C. Martini House (approx. 9.1 miles away); Sebewaing Township Hall (approx. 9.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bay Port.

Additional commentary.
1. Bay Port Fish Sandwich Festival
Bay Port is best known for its annual Fish Sandwich Days Festival, which attracts tourists from all over the Midwest, and is held the first full weekend of August. It is a celebration of the industry that has sustained Bay Port for over 130 years.

— Submitted November 22, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills.

Photographed By Kathy Garman, June 28, 2020

2. Bay Port Fishing District Marker

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 27, 2021

3. Bay Port Fishing District Marker

View of the marker looking to the north along the southbound side of Lakeside Drive.

Bay Port Fish Company image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kathy Garman, June 28, 2020

4. Bay Port Fish Company

In operation since 1895, the Bay Port Fish Company is located at the very end of 1st Street, across the canal from the Historical Marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. 3. submitted on September 1, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 4. submitted on November 22, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.