Category Archives: upper peninsula

The Cabin in the Woods

Posted on by Posted in Houses, upper peninsula .

In the Upper Peninsula, I traveled down the Huron Bay Grade that follows along the Peshekee River in the Huron Mountains. I was headed to the Rock Cut and I traveled into the wilderness for almost an hour. I came across this cabin in the woods. It looks as the roof and windows are still maintained so I assume someone lives there or uses it as a hunting cabin. I live in a big city about a mile from a Meijer’s Thrifty Acres and I cannot fathom being so isolated from the modern world. Sometime I think it would be nice to have some piece and quiet but I could not live long without internet. I often wonder about some of these places that I pass by in the middle of nowhere.

If you love exploring the Upper Peninsula or reading about its unique places, I hope you will take a look at my new book LOST IN MICHIGAN’S UPPER PENINSULA available on Amazon HERE

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A Ship in Harbor

Posted on by Posted in autumn, Ships and Boats, upper peninsula .

“A Ship in Harbor Is Safe, But that Is Not What Ships Are Built For” John A. Shedd

Seeing the Mackenzie May fishing tug tied up at the Black River Harbor reminded me of this quote. But with the November gales coming up it also reminded me of what my step father Jim used to say. “It’s better to be a little safe now than a lot sorry later.” Anyways I thought it was a nice peaceful autumn day and photo and it wont be long when winter has its icy grip on the mitten of Michigan.

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Copper Peak

Posted on by Posted in autumn, upper peninsula .

Driving down the Black River National Forest Scenic Byway there is a spot where to road curves and you can see a massive metal structure the overlooks high above the trees. It is the Copper Peak Ski Jump and it is the worlds largest artificial ski jump. It was built in 1969 and stands 1782 feet above sea level. It is the 6th largest ski jump in the world but it has not been used by skiers since 1994.

Visitors can ride the chair lift to the jump and then the elevator to the top of it. I did not have time to do it when I was there but hope to get back there again someday. I have take a lot of photos of it but I can convey how large it is in a photo. I could not imagine jumping off of it. I think you would have to be a little crazy or a lot crazy to be a ski jumper.

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Crystal Falls Courthouse

Posted on by Posted in courthouses, upper peninsula .

The Iron County courthouse is a magnificent building, almost castle like, at the top of the hill, looking over the city of Crystal Falls.  The Richardsonian Romanesque Style building which was completed in 1891. Constructed of regional materials, including reddish stone columns quarried from the nearby Paint River and yellow clay bricks.

You can’t miss this old courthouse when traveling across the Upper Peninsula  on U.S. 2, as it takes you thru the city of Crystal Falls. As you drive up the hill, heading west  thru downtown, the building is looking down on you, almost as if it’s judging your character. I guess that’s one more reason why it is such and impressive courthouse.

If you love exploring the Upper Peninsula or reading about its unique places, I hope you will take a look at my new book LOST IN MICHIGAN’S UPPER PENINSULA available on Amazon HERE

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The Ghost Town of Watson

Posted on by 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

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Alder Falls

Posted on by 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

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Irish Hollow Cemetery

Posted on by 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

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Bay Furnace

Posted on by 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

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A Special Place

Posted on by 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

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The Big Steam Engine

Posted on by 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

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