Historic Downtown Big Bay
Prior to being settled, Big Bay was a location used for trade between the French and Native Americans.
Home to Brinswick Bowling Pins, this small community is currently home to less than 500 permanent residents. One famous resident was Henry Ford. Big Bay was full of hardwoods, and Ford brought his auto plant to the area to take advantage of the wood for paneling in his vehicles. The Thunder Bay Inn was constructed for Henry and his buddies.
The Thunder Bay Inn later became the claim-to-fame for Big Bay as the filming location for Anatomy of a Murder. The filming took place inside the inn and was based on a murder that took place at the local Lumberjack Tavern. Many lumberjack companies, including Henry Fords Mills, operated in Big Bay.
The Huron Mountain Club was founded in 1889. This private club is located west of Big Bay and encompasses 7,000 acres.
Until 1904 the only way to reach Big Bay was by water, until the road was built connecting the town to Marquette. The following year a railroad line was established to haul passengers, freight, and lumber.