upper peninsula Archives - Page 5 of 25

The Ghost Town of Watson

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Ghost towns, upper peninsula .

I found very little information on the town of Watson, even though the general store, a house, and a couple of buildings still remain standing in the long forgotten community. Watson is nestled in the south-east corner of Marquette County on road 426. Walter Romig’s Michigan Place Names say that it was a “mail distributing point” in the Watson Store Company prior to 1918. I wonder if that is the store that is still standing with the iconic IGA Super Market sign. There are a handful of people still living in the area and the Watson Bible Chapel is nearby. A set of railroad tracks run next to the road, but with the grass and trees growing up between the rails the train has not traveled down them in a long time. I am assuming after the train no longer stopped in Watson the people in the little town slowly moved away. It is a reminder of days gone by, and I hope it continues to stand for many years.

If you love exploring the Upper Peninsula, I hope you will take a look at my new book Lost In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula available on Amazon HERE

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

Alder Falls

Posted on August 21, 2023 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in upper peninsula, Waterfalls .

I have been to a lot of different waterfalls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula but my favorite is Alder Falls. Located northwest of Marquette it can be a little tricky to find on a two-track road off County Road 550 near Big Bay. After parking near a little wooden sign for the falls you need to hike down into a gorge to see the waterfalls. There are no steps, so it can be tricky to climb down and back up, especially for someone out of shape like me. I think that is why I like these falls so much, they are hard to access, and find, so there is not a large crowd of people. When I was there, no one else was around and it was a peaceful place to relax and enjoy the falls as the water rushed around the large rocks in the river.

Besides the falls, you are near the Big Bay lighthouse ( you can see my post about it HERE) and the Tavern that was made famous in the Jimmy Stewart movie Anatomy of a Murder

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

Irish Hollow Cemetery

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Cemetery, upper peninsula .

Rockland is located in the western Upper Peninsula. The town was an old mining town where several Irish Immigrants came to mine. Southeast of town, off US-45 is the Irish Hollow Cemetery. It sits in the woods and the tombstones are surrounded by tall grass and ferns. It may be a little overgrown but it is a beautiful old cemetery.

According to MIGenweb, A cemetery was dedicated on July 4th, 1892, ( I am not sure if it was this one or another nearby cemetery, since it does not specify which one) A little girl from town ran up to the ceremony to tell the people the town was on fire. Her parents let her stay home, instead of going to the dedication. She said she found a firecracker and lit it in her home. When she threw it out the window, it caught the curtain on fire and spread through the town.

After the mines closed in the early 1900s the population of the town declined and about two hundred residents live there today. If you go through town and you like old cemeteries be sure to check out the Irish Hollow Cemetery.

If you love exploring the Upper Peninsula I hope you will take a look at my new book Lost In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula available on Amazon HERE

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

Bay Furnace

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Historic Places, upper peninsula .

Bay Furnace Campground sits west of Christmas off M-28. Here you will find the ruins of an old iron smelting furnace that gives the campground its name. There is a parking area along the driveway to the campground that has a short trail that leads to the ruins. They were built in the 1870s and were part of the town of Onota. The town burned down in 1877, and all that remains is the stone furnace. Not only is it an interesting historic site to check out, but it has a great view of Lake Superior.

If you love exploring the Upper Peninsula I hope you will take a look at my new book Lost In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula available on Amazon HERE

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

A Special Place

Posted on July 3, 2023 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in small towns, upper peninsula .

A lookout on Brockway Mountain overlooks the town of Copper Harbor. It is located at the top of the Keweenaw Peninsula and is Michigan’s northern most town. It is along trip to the town from southern Michigan but traveling into Copper Harbor down a winding US-41 through the forest is like being transported to a magical place. Away from the busy roads hustle and bustle of the big city I find it peaceful and relaxing. I wish it was closer to home but the fact that it is a journey to visit the remote town makes it a special place.

If you love exploring the Upper Peninsula I hope you will take a look at my new book Lost In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula available on Amazon HERE

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

The Big Steam Engine

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in upper peninsula .

M-28 crosses over Trout Creek in the western side of the Upper Peninsula. It is there you will find a massive old steam engine on display in Abbott Fox Community Park. The mechanical monster was made in 1912, by Allis Chalmers and was originally used in a Minneapolis Minnesota flour mill. In 19221 it was moved to Trout Creek and used in the Weidman Lumber Company’s sawmill until 1968. Now it stands as a reminder of a time in the Upper Peninsula when you could not just plug a cord into a wall outlet for power. The flywheel is sixteen feet in diameter and photos do not convey the massive size of this old steam engine. Next time you are traveling along M-28 be sure to stop and check out this historic steam engine.

If you love exploring the Upper Peninsula I hope you will take a look at my new book Lost In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula available on Amazon HERE

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

The Heroes in Pinery Cemetery

Posted on May 22, 2023 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Cemetery, upper peninsula .

A few miles northeast of L’Anse in the Upper Peninsula is the Pinery Indian Cemetery. The land has been used as a Native American burial ground since the 1600s. Many of the graves have spirit houses. They provide a place for loved ones to leave food, arrows, beads, and items needed for the deceased to travel to the spirit world.

I have been to the national cemeteries in Holly, Grand Rapids, and Battle Creek and I have seen veterans sections in other cemeteries. I usually see American flags next to the headstones. It was inspiring to see an American flag next to the spirit houses. It is a reminder that people came from all walks of life and different backgrounds and religions to fight and defend freedom in this country.

If you love exploring the Upper Peninsula I hope you will take a look at my new book Lost In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula available on Amazon HERE

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

The Nonesuch Mine

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Ghost towns, upper peninsula .

The Porcupine Mountains in the western Upper Peninsula is the largest state park in Michigan. It is known for its hiking trails, waterfalls, and the Lake Of The Clouds. But few people know that hidden among the trees are the ruins of an old mining town. It also has an old stone lined shaft that sinks into the ground. It is rather spooky how it curves out of a hill and I can not imagine descending down into the earth from it. The hole is fence off now but you can still see it in the forest of the Porkies

Nonesuch is a type of copper ore that exists in sandstone and the town was named after the ore. Mining began in 1867 and ended in 1912.At its peak, the town had a population of 300 people and besides the mining buildings, it had a school, boarding houses, stables, and even a baseball team. Today stone walls can be found in the area where the town once stood. I also found some old cast iron machine parts including a large gear half-buried in the ground and held in place by a tree root.

The ruins can be found near the Little Iron River. A parking lot can be found off South Boundary Road with a trail that is about a half-mile long that will take you to the ruins. To find the parking lot drive straight south of the visitor center. A short road keeps going south where South Boundary Road curves to the west. Down that short road, you will find a small parking lot and an informational sign for the town of Nonesuch.

If you love exploring the Upper Peninsula I hope you will take a look at my new book Lost In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula available on Amazon HERE

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

Lost In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Book

Posted on May 11, 2023 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in upper peninsula .

I am proud to announce my most recent book Lost In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is now available. I have had several people request I do a book on places in the U.P. and this book has many of my favorite places. Some locations have been published in my other books and some are new. I also have some tips and advice for traveling the Upper Peninsula that I have learned over the many trips I have taken.

Books are available on Amazon HERE

Here is a list of some of the locations in the book. Each location has a story and a detailed address or GPS coordinates so you can find it if you want to visit.

Gros Cap Cemetery.
Fiborn Quarry
Gros Cap Cemetery.
Mission Hill
Naomikong Bridge
Camp Raco
Fayette
Kitch-iti-kipi
Seul Choix Lighthouse
Crisp Point Lighthouse.
Two Hearted River
Vermillion Point
Mansfield
Peninsula Point Lighthouse
Sable Falls
Sand Point
Bay Furnace
Rock Cut
Mt Arvon
Alder Falls
510 Bridge
Redridge Dam
Quincy Dredge
Cliff Mine
Rocket Range
Nonesuch
Skoglund Homestead

You can see a preview of the inside on amazon HERE. (note: you need to be on a desktop or notebook to see the preview)

Thank you so much to everyone that has purchased one of my books. Your support and kindness means a lot to me and helps me with expenses to explore Michigan and create more posts.

The Siscowet

Posted on April 21, 2023 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Ships and Boats, upper peninsula .

I took a recent trip through Escanaba and looked for an old friend. For years the old Chicago fireboat the Joseph Medill sat on land near downtown. I liked it so much it is on the cover of volume 2 of my book series. Sadly it was cut up for scrap a few years ago. Now a different boat sits on land. The Siscowet, sits near the location where the old fireboat sat. I am not sure what it’s fate is, but it looks lonely sitting up on dry land.

P.S. If you are wondering a siscowet is the name of a lake trout.

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

« Previous Page