March 2014 - Lost In Michigan

Irish Hills Towers

I can just imagine a family in the 30’s and 40’s living in Detroit loading up in the old car (new at the time, but old to me) and driving west down Michigan Avenue. Heading out to the Irish Hills for the day to see the sight at the top of the Irish Hills Towers. With the interstate highway system and how easily you can drive long distances quickly to parks with “Extreme” rides like Cedar Point, people stopped visiting the Irish Hills. This is just one more tourist destination that is slowly fading away like Deer Acres and so many other roadside atractions. It seems like everyone is in such a hurry to get places, and plugged into there electronic devices, no one ever looks out the window and stops to enjoy the journey, If they were open I would climb to the top, the view must be better than anything I would see on an ipod or gameboy screen.

p.s. I think they should be saved, just because the second tower was built out of “spite”

Championship Match-up Michigan State Park March Madness Poll

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Michigan State Parks .

Congrats to Ludington State Park for Winning the March Madness Poll

It’s been a long road with over 100 state parks competing, but we are down to the final two parks voted into the Championship Round. They are definitely worthy of being in the final round, and it will be hard to chose.

Vote for your favorite and Sunday April 6th we will crown the Michigan State Park Champion for 2014.

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The Clifford Elevator

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Grain Elevators .

It’s hard to miss this beautiful red grain elevator in the small town of Clifford in the middle of Michigan’s Thumb. I was doing a little research on it. I did not find much, but I found this pic of what it used to look like HERE. Amazing what a little hard work and some paint will do. I hope I can get back there when the weather is better and the grass is green.

Click Here for the Before Pic I found on Flckr

There was a sign next to the road that said “HALL RENTAL” it looks like it has been restored and renovated and used for banquet space. I know some other old elevators around Michigan that could be done to. Like the Phleps Bros Mill in Manton

Wahjamega

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places .

I drove past Wahjamega several times on my way to Caro, I never really stopped to look at it, but I did today and got a few pics from the parking lot. I did not want to wonder around to much since the state still uses some of the buildings and I figure they would not like me roaming around the complex.

I did a little research on the internets and found out some more info.

The name Wahjamega is an acronym from the initials of three partners who operated a sawmill here: William A Heartt, James A. Montgomery, and Edgar George Avery.

In 1914 a Farm Colony for Epileptics was Established by the state and was devoted to the treatment of epilepsy. Much of the original population of the facility was moved from the overcrowded Lapeer State Home for Epileptics. This facility gained some fame later on as it was one of several facilities that was involved in forced sterilizations that took place under Michigan laws from 1914 to the mid 1960’s. The facility has operated under several names over the years and a portion of it is currently still in operation as the Caro Regional Mental Health Center.

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One of the Many buildings that was used by the former Farm Colony for Epileptics in Wahjamega

Final Four Round of Michigan State Park Madness Poll

Posted on March 23, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Michigan State Parks, Uncategorized .

Voting for this round is complete, vote for the Champion HERE

Now we are down to the final four parks from the winners of the Top 8 round, thank you to the thousands of you that voted. These matchups should be interesting, it’s gonna be hard to pick between them, they are all such incredibly popular and beautiful parks.We will see who goes onto the final matchup next Sunday.

Thank you for voting and share with your friends.

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Michigan Spring

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Uncategorized .

It’s the first day of spring in Michigan, I am hoping we have some nice weather since it was such a long cold winter. I took this pic a few years ago at Dow Gardens in Midland.

Top 8 Michigan State Parks March Madness Poll

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Michigan State Parks, Uncategorized .

Now we are down to the top 8 Michigan State parks that won the Sweet 16 round of voting. it’s going to be difficult to choose between them but we will work our way down to the final four for next weeks poll,

The Polls are closed for this round, vote in the final four round HERE

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The Old Barn in Standish

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Uncategorized .

An old barn I saw on back roads near Standish Michigan on a winter morning.

K9 Veterans Day – March 13th

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Uncategorized .

The United States K9 Corps was started on March 13^th 1942, and there is an effort to make this national K9 Veterans Day. And although it is not recognized nationally Michigan and a few other states has declared March 13^th K9 Veterans Day to honor all dogs that have served in the military, police and civilian search and rescue.

Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon

The Michigan War Dog Memorial and Cemetery is in South Lyon, on Milford and 11 Mile Road. It is a beautiful memorial and final resting place for the dogs of Michigan that have served our country and state so faithfully.

Michigan War Dog Memorial Cemetery

Thank You to all the handlers trainers and dogs that have served so loyally

Michigan War Dog Memorial website

K9 Veterans Day Website

The Significance of the James Shearer House In Bay City

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Historic Places .

When I was in Bay City I saw this old house on Center Ave near downtown and thought it looked majestic, it reminded me of the older homes in Detroit. Without knowing anything about this house I would find out just how significant it was. A few days after I took the pic I was roaming around the world wide web and a saw a photo of a house that looked familiar and then I realized, it’s the house in Bay City that I found so remarkable. Normally I take a photo of a house I know nothing about, I try to research about it and I can’t find any information, but this house was different.

I found out James Shearer built this house in 1876 and lived in it with his family. James Shearer was a builder and besides building this beautiful home, he built several buildings in Michigan, including the building Mill End was in that was recently raised to build new condominiums. He also was chosen by the Governor of Michigan in 1871 to supervise the construction of the state capital along with two other men.

If you’re in Bay City this weekend running the St Patrick’s Day road race you will run right past this magnificent old house. Or maybe you will see it while you are there watching the parade.

you can read more about James Shearer Here and Here