Mysteries at the Museum Season 11 Episode 49 Making Michigan, Log Jammin and the Race That Changed the World

In episode 49 of season 11 of Mysteries at the Museum, titled "Making Michigan, Log Jammin and the Race That Changed the World," the show delves into three intriguing stories from history.

First, the episode examines the founding of the city of Michigan, which was previously a French fur-trading settlement called Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit. The program explores the strategic decision by General William Hull to surrender the fort to the British during the War of 1812, and how it resulted in the United States gaining control of Michigan and the surrounding territories.

Next, the show looks at the dangerous and back-breaking work of logjamming in the late 1800s. In an era when most of the country was dependent on wood for heating and construction, loggers had to figure out how to transport massive logs downriver to sawmills without getting them stuck in treacherous jams. Viewers will discover how one innovative logger named Ross Gilmore developed a device that changed the game and revolutionized the logging industry.

Finally, the episode explores a little-known event from the early days of automobile racing. In 1908, the New York to Paris Race was established - a grueling 22,000-mile endurance race that spanned three continents. The program tells the story of George Schuster, the American mechanic who not only survived the brutal journey but drove his car across the finish line in first place.

Mysteries at the Museum season 11 episode 49 offers a fascinating look at these three distinct but equally fascinating pieces of American history. Through expert interviews, archival footage, and expert analysis, the episode sheds light on the bravery, ingenuity, and perseverance that helped shape the United States into the country we know today.