Highlighting Marshall County History. 1  Locks in Henry. 2  Henry Waterfront and Dock. 3  First National Bank of Lacon $50 Bill.  Wooden Bridge in 1  Henry. Bohm Hardware in Lacon.  Lacon Grain 1  Elevators. Loy's in 2  Lacon. Moonlight on the Illinois  River.
The town was founded in 1881 by businessmen from the Michigan Central Railroad. They were planning to extend their railroad from Gaylord, MI, approximately 35 miles south of Topinabee, to Mackinaw City, about 30 miles north of the town. They wanted a resort built on Mullett Lake for lodging during the lumber era. H.H. Pike built a hotel in 1881, it opened in 1882. The village grew from there.
Topinabee is small town with a very rich history. Modern history of the area began when settlers moved to the area in the 1880âs with the extension of the railroad to what is now Mackinaw City. Horace Pike developed a Hotel along the banks of Mullet Lake adjacent to the railroad tracks and people began to build homes in the area.