Port Huron History and Local Attractions

Birchwood Mall is the Blue Water Area's family-friendly shopping destination! With over 80 stores like Hollister, Victoria's Secret, Gymboree, Justice, and Target, there's sure to be something for everyone! Take a ride on our antique carousel or tumble in our soft play area. Whatever you want, it's all right here at Birchwood Mall.

The Blue Water River Walk is almost one-mile of St. Clair River shoreline immediately south of the mouth of the Black River in Port Huron, Michigan. It is less than a mile downriver from the Blue Water Bridge to Sarnia and the southern end of Lake Huron. Owned by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, the Blue Water River Walk is open to the public year-round.

The Fort Gratiot Light Station is located next to the new Coast Guard Station in Port Huron and includes the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse (1829), which is the oldest lighthouse in Michigan. The Light Station also includes the Light Keeper’s Duplex (1874), Fog Signal Building (1900), Single Keeper’s Dwelling (1932), former Coast Guard Station (1932), Equipment Building (1939), and a three bay garage (1990’s).

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of sightseeing or take in the many special events of Lake Huron. We also offer a delicious River Crab Dinner Cruise as well as Private Charters. Come join us on Lake Huron today!.

When retired from active service in 1970, she was the last lightship on the Great Lakes. Acquired by the City of Port Huron by mandate of area residents, the ship was enshrined at Pine Grove Park in 1972 as a tribute to her vigilance and in fond memory of a by-gone era. In 1989 the HURON Lightship was designated a National Historic Landmark. She is the only lightship on the Great Lakes to be so honored.

Mickey Knowlton, founder of the Knowlton’s Ice Museum of North America, dedicated much of his life in an effort to keep the history of the natural ice industry alive.

The McMorran Complex is owned by the City of Port Huron and operated under the direction of the City Council-appointed Henry McMorran Auditorium Authority, which was established in 1956, four years before the Auditorium opened. Located in the hub of Port Huron’s downtown, with ample parking, McMorran Place annually hosts hundreds of successful conventions, trade shows, concerts, banquets, ice shows, corporate meetings and seminars, as well as hockey for all ages. The complex consists of the Arena and The Theatre.

The Carnegie Center, one of four Port Huron Museum sites is home to thousands of objects and archival items relating to the history, pre-history and culture of the Blue Water Area. While the other museum sites have items from the Port Huron Museum's collection, the majority of the object, document, and photograph collections are housed at the Carnegie Center.

1219 Military has been used by the nonprofit Studio 1219 for over a decade as an art studio and gallery. This building is now being re imagined with big plans to be a NEW creative hub for artists of all types from around the region. Stay tuned for updates on what's to come.

Opened on February 11, 2001, the Thomas Edison Depot Museum was the second satellite facility to open as part of the Port Huron Museum. It is housed inside the historic Fort Gratiot train depot built in 1858 by the Grand Trunk Railway, and is the actual depot that Thomas Edison worked out of as a news reporter between 1859 and 1863.