Princess Wenonah sails through Bay City's history

Even if you live in Bay City and think you already know our history, it’s worth taking a History Tour aboard the Princess Wenonah.

I took one of Bay City Boat Lines' Free Weekday History Tours recently, learning a little more about our past. There are more tours this summer, but they fill up fast, so make your reservation early.

During my tour, I not only heard about the history, I also saw two freighters up close, watched kids learning to sail on the Saginaw River, kept an eye on a drone flying near the boat, and lost count of how many birds flew past us.

The boat leaves from Wenonah Park near the Doubletree Hotel. Arrive early since you’ll have a short walk from free parking spots to the dock. The crew also runs a brief safety demonstration before passengers board. As the boat left the dock, I watched three people run to the river’s edge shouting that they had tickets. The boat didn’t stop.

Bring sunscreen and a jacket, no matter what the weather. The day I took the trip, the temperature hit over 90 on shore and the sun shone brightly overhead. About 1/3 of the passengers pulled on jackets as we neared the Saginaw Bay. The boat isn't barrier-free, but a man using a wheelchair was able to board the vessel and enjoy the trip.

Comfortable shoes are a must. There are plenty of chairs, but you may want to walk around to get a better view of some of the sites during the two-hour tour.

Ashley BrownSummer concert season is under way. People and music fill Wenonah Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Uptown Bay City, Downtown Bay City, and the Midland Street Entertainment District.The tour heads north, passing Wenonah Park and its murals. People onboard started comparing notes on the best places to watch the fireworks. Locals pointed visitors to locations where they could hear live music in the Wenonah Park on Wednesdays or in Uptown on Thursdays.

The Wenonah runs a man overboard trip once a month, including on my trip.

Passengers cheered when the crew successfully scooped an orange life jacket from the river. I silently cheered when Liberty and Independence bridges opened to let us through. I’ve lived here for nearly 40 years and I still get giddy when I’m not the one waiting in a car for a boat to pass under.

Narrator Mike Vincent starts the trip with the history of the Wenonah. It was built in 1954 as the William M. Miller. In 1998, Bay City Boat Lines bought the vessel and started hosting guided tours, fundraisers, and celebrations.

While Vincent narrates, staff from Bay City Boat Lines circulate, pointing out good angles for photos and answering questions.

After that brief introduction, Vincent points out sites on both sides of the river. He talks about June 18, 1976 when the Third Street Bridge collapsed into the water. The Third Street Bridge was located near the current Liberty Bridge, which opened in 1987.

Ashley BrownHistorians believe stories of Joe Fournier in Bay City are woven into the tales of Paul Bunyan. This display at the Bay County Historical Society Museum explains the connection.Vincent also gives highlights of our industrial history. He talks about sawmills and shipyards that operated in the latter half of the 19^th Century. He explains Hell’s Half Mile.

Today, Bay City hosts the Hell’s Half Mile Film and Music Festival. Back in the 1800s, the city’s nickname came from its reputation as a stop for lumbermen coming out of the woods in search of saloons, gambling houses, and other entertainment.

He points out more recent industries, such as Gougeon Brothers and the General Motors Plant. Before GM came here, the site was home of the National Cycle Manufacturing Co., which shipped bicycles around the world.

He mentions our famous residents such as Olympic Speedskater Terry McDermott, who was born and raised in Essexville. McDermott, who died at 82 in 2023, earned gold and silver medals while competing in the 1960, 1964, and 1968 Olympic Winter Games.

Doug CoombeMadonna was born in Bay City, although she grew up in the Detroit area. A mural is painted on a Downtown Bay City wall.Bay City also was briefly home to Madonna. When Madonna visits, she frequently shops at St. Laurent Brothers, 1101 N. Water St. A mural honoring her is painted on the former City Market at Center Avenue and Adams Street. The mural faces Adams Street.

Recently, Ben VanSumeren, who graduated from Garber High School in Essexville and plays football for the Philadelphia Eagles, played in the Super Bowl in 2025.

Not all of the stories are lighthearted. The Wenonah glides past the site where the Jupiter caught fire and exploded on Sept. 16, 1990 while offloading at the Total Oil Company refinery on the river. Rescue workers and firefighters managed to keep the banker moored to the dock so the blazing vessel didn’t move down the river, creating more destruction.

One man, Thomas Sexton from Iowa, drowned while trying to swim to safety after the explosion.

One famous Bay Cityan you may not know of is Dewitt Brawn. He was the son of the keeper at the Saginaw River Rear Range Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built between 1839 and 1841. It still stands near the river, but hasn’t been used since 1876.

The lighthouse holds maritime and local history.

Brawn is credited with creating Range Lights, Vince says. One night, while pacing back and forth inside the lighthouse, Brawn realized that when lights are placed at different distances and elevations, they line up at certain points. Brawn figured out how to use that to direct ship captains to the deepest part of the channel.

Ashley BrownThe Bay City State Park includes trails, a beach, campground, play area, and visitor center.As the Bay City State Park comes into view, the Wenonah turns around. Vincent continues to point out new sites on the return trip.

At the end, he gives a short overview of entertainment options in Bay City including the Bay County Historical Society Museum and the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, home of the USS Edson.