Monthly Archives: December 2019

What is That Brick Structure in Port Hope?

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places, Thumb .

port hope chimney

From a distance, this tall structure in Port Hope looks like lighthouse since it is so close to Lake Huron near the tip of the Thumb. After you get up close to it you realize it is something different. Thankfully there is a historical marker next to it that tells you what it is and its significance. Maybe I am one of the few people that bother to read the signs but I appreciate them. In this day and age of google sometimes a plain old sign still works extremely well and reads:

This chimney was built in 1858 by John Geitz. It is all that remains of the lumber mill established that year by William R. Stafford. Port Hope grew up around the mill. For a score of years, this town was the center of lumbering in the Thumb. It also became an important producer of salt. In 1871 and again in 1881 the mill, the docks, and possessions of hundreds of people were destroyed by fire. This chimney is a monument to those pioneers who by their courage and industry developed this area.

If you love reading about odd and strange Michigan history Lost In Michigan books are available on Amazon HERE

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The Ghost Town of a Ghost Town

Posted on by Posted in Ghost towns, small towns .

Believe it or not this small town in southern Michigan got its unique look from the invention of Kitty Litter. In the 1940s people used sand for their litter boxes and one day Ed Lowes neighbor asked him for some sand for her litter box. He gave her some dried up clay granules instead for her to try. She was amazed at how well it worked and that was the inspiration that created Ed’s multi-million dollar business Kitty Litter and Tidy Cat.

In the 70s Lowe had the idea of converting downtown Jones into a wild west looking ghost town for a tourist attraction. It seems like an odd location located between Cassopolis and Three Rivers. I am assuming he thought it would flourish with Swiss Valley Ski Resort being only a few miles away. Sadly the town did not attract the business Lowe was hoping for and slowly the buildings faded away. The town of Jones has several residents  and is not a true “ghost town” but the buildings along Main Street still have the remnants of the former tourist attraction facades

Last chance to get your Lighthouse calendar before they are gone, you can order them from my website HERE

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Last Chance to get your Lost In Michigan Calendar

Posted on by Posted in calendars .

This is your last chance to get a Lost In Michigan wall calendar. I have 5 left and once they are gone they are gone and you will have to wait a year to get one because it is too late in the year for me to have more printed.

I only have about 20 Lighthouse calendars left and those will be gone soon too. If you want to order a wall calendar or a book be sure to do it soon from my website by CLICKING HERE

Thank you to everyone who got a book or calendar from me this year. It really means a lot to me and helps me with expenses to do this website.

God’s Little Acre Chapel

Posted on by Posted in Churches .

Michigan has some large historic stone churches with steeples that seem to reach endlessly into the sky. This is not one of those churches but it has enormous country charm. According to the sign posted out front this is the God’s Little Acre Wayside Chapel. I had to stop and get a pic of this cute little church outside of the mid-Michigan town of Blanchard.

Just to let you know I have about 5 Lost In Michigan calendars left and I am getting low on my lighthouse calendar. If you want one you need to order them soon before it’s too late. you can order them from my website HERE

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The High Place in Da U.P.

Posted on by Posted in Iconic Buildings, upper peninsula .

I was traveling through Ishpeming and I saw the red stone and brick building that is the town’s city hall. I had to stop and get a photo of it. Ishpeming is the Chippewa name for “High Place” and it was given that name in 1862 when the post office opened.

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The Lights at the Waterworks

Posted on by Posted in Iconic Buildings, Winter Wonderland .

Every holiday season the Waterworks building in Saginaw is decorated with lights. It is a magical display enjoyed by many people as they pass by the iconic building on Ezra-Rust Drive. Most people are unaware of the significance of the red white and blue lights decorating the pine tree on the corner.

In 1979, during the Iran Hostage Crisis at the Embassy in Tehran,  plant supervisor Wally Rogalski had the tree decorated as a patriot gesture in honor of the hostages. The tree has been decorated with the American colors ever since then. The hostage crisis occurred a long time ago, but I think it’s also a good reminder to remember all the men and women who serve in the military at home and abroad, and the sacrifices they make for us, especially during the holidays.

If you read my post yesterday you probably know I live in Saginaw. If you are near Saginaw I hope you will come out and see me. I will be at the Arthur Hill holiday bazaar on Saturday, December 7th from 9-3. I will also be at the Antique Warehouse on Tittibiwasse on Thursday night from 6-8 signing books at their open house.

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The Question I Am Asked

Posted on by Posted in Uncategorized .

Several people have sent messages asking to learn more about me. I figured that I should do a post to let you know who I am. My name is Mike Sonnenberg, I grew up in Saginaw and still live there today. I did automotive tooling design for about 20 years, but the automotive industry in Saginaw is not what it used to be. After losing my job when the housing bubble burst, I had time to explore Saginaw with my camera. I started with www.puresaginaw.com posting photos and sharing stories from around Saginaw. As I traveled Michigan I starting sharing my photos at www.lostinmichigan.net. I eventually went back to work, but continued doing my websites. I get busy sometimes at work, and so if I disappear for a little bit on the internet that is probably why.


I have always enjoyed traveling Michigan and love to visit popular places like Petoskey, Traverse City, and Mackinaw City.  I began looking for new and different places to see and visit. I started exploring the back roads and small forgotten towns around Michigan. The more obscure and remote the better. I do my best to travel to all parts of the state, from the thumb to the southwest corner and all the way to the tip of the Keweenaw. Most everywhere in Michigan has an interesting story and I have been slowly finding and sharing them. 

As far as the website and everything is concerned, It’s just me. I take all the photos and write posts, along with maintaining the website and handling online sales. Some people think I have a staff or larger organization helping me, but that is not the case. I love what I do and enjoy finding something most people have forgotten about or never knew altogether. My posts can be a little scattered and incomplete. They are basically my notes from my trips and over time I learn more to create a story for my books. A few years ago I would have never imagined considering myself an author. It has been a lot of work, but also a lot of fun to write and publish the Lost In Michigan books. I still have more stories to tell and places to see. At one time I was worried about running out of new places to visit, but the more travel and research, the more I discover I have a lot to do.

Whether you have just started this journey with me or have been following me for a long time thank you very much. I may not have time to respond to all the comments but I do read and enjoy them.

P.S. I want to give a big THANK YOU to all of you out there that purchased a book, calendar or t-shirt from me over the years. It really helps me with expenses to do this website.

P.P.S. I am usually behind the camera but if you really want to see a photo of me you can by clicking HERE

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Niles Station

Posted on by Posted in Train Depots .

I have visited a lot of train stations around Michigan and I have to admit the depot in Niles is one of my favorites. The station building was constructed by the Michigan Central in 1892 to a design by architects Spier and Rohns. Niles station was used as a filming location for Continental Divide, Midnight Run, and Only the Lonely, the latter of which spawned an annual tradition of adding Christmas lights and decorations around the station. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Now I need to get back to the southwest corner of the state so I can see the station lit up in Christmas lights.

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The Ghost Town of Damon

Posted on by Posted in General Store, Ghost towns .

Not much remains of the town of Damon but an old general store and a few houses. In the late 1800’s it was a booming lumbering town with a hotel and school for the children o the lumberjacks. The town was the inspiration for the town in James Oliver Curwood’s book Green Timber. Located about 10 miles north of West Branch The town was first settled in 1878 and named for George Damon owner of the firm Cutting & Damon. It was given a post office in 1880 then closed in 1907. The post office was briefly reopened in 1911 but closed two years later in 1915. I only assume most of the timber was gone and there was little work for the residents and they moved on.

P.S. I still have yet to read Green Timber. I have a few other James Oliver Curwood books but I have not found a copy of Green Timber yet. I am sure I could get one from eBay but that is not as much fun as looking for one in a used book store.

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Lexington House

Posted on by Posted in Houses .

I saw this old house in the town of Lexington along Lake Huron. Unfortunately, I was unable to find any history or info about the home. It is a beautiful queen ann style house. Maybe it’s just me but I think the most underrated place in Michigan is the stretch along Lake Huron north of Port Huron. There are some really nice towns along the shoreline including Port Sanilac, Harbor Beach, Port Hope and of course Lexington.

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