July 2020 - Page 2 of 3 - Lost In Michigan

The Menominee Light

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Lighthouses, upper peninsula .

This historic red light stands at the end of the Menominee North Pier. At one time it had a catwalk that went out to it but that has been removed when the light was automated in the 1970s. The Menomonee River is the border between Michigan and Wisconson. If the light was on the other side of the river Michigan would have one less lighthouse.

I took this pic a few years ago and did not stay in the town of Menominee long. It seemed like a really nice town and a great place to explore. I hope to get back there soon. It is a long ways south of US-2 and especially a long drive from the Lower Peninsula. I have a feeling that the next time I visit it will be after taking the S.S. Badger across to Wisconson.

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 Michigan State Park Cemetery

Posted on July 16, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Cemetery, Michigan State Parks .

This old forgotten cemetery sits up on a hill not far from the parking lot for the Hamlin Lake beach in Ludington State Park. Long before the area was a state park it had a sawmill town called Hamlin. It was founded in 1852 by lumberman Charles Mears. He built a wooden dam on the Big Sable River and the town continued to prosper until the dam broke in 1888.

I shared this photo as part of a presentation about a year ago and it was after that an older gentleman came up to me. He told me that he was a ranger at Ludington State Park in the 60s and that an old coffin had washed up onto the banks of the Big Sable River near the mouth at Lake Michigan. From the age of the coffin and corpse, they figured it was someone from the old town of Hamlin who was buried next to the river. He told me they re-buried it in the old cemetery on the hill. I have never been able to confirm the story with a newspaper article but I have no reason to doubt what he told me.

Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend 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.

Rosie’s Diner

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places .

This old diner north of Rockford sits empty along with a couple of other historic old diners. It is Rosie’s that is the most notable. It was the diner used in the famous Bounty paper towel commercials with Rosie the waitress saying they are the “quicker picker-upper” The commercials were filmed in this diner in the 70’s when it was the Farmland Diner in Little Ferry, New Jersey. The diner was trucked to its current location in the 90s. It was a popular diner and was featured in Food Networks Diners Drive Inns and Dives. The original owners retired and shortly after the new owners went out of business. It has been sitting empty for years.

Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend 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.

Michigan’s Sugar Island and the United Nations

Posted on July 14, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in island, upper peninsula .

East of Sault Ste. Marie the Sugar Islander II car ferry transports vehicles across the St. Mary’s river to Sugar Island. It is one of the largest islands along the river that shares a border with Canada. For $20 you can ride in your car over to the island and back. There is not a lot on the island. It is mostly vacation homes and a few small farms. The Island was named Sisibakmatominis (maple sugar island translated into English) by the Chippewas for its abundant maple trees.

One of the most notable residents of the island was Chase Osborn. He was the governor of Michigan from 1911-1913. After World War II it was Osborn that promoted the idea of having the headquarters for the United Nations on Sugar Island because of its international border with Canada. Obviously that plan never came to fruition. There are a few historical sites on the island and I will share them in later posts.

Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend 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 Forgotten Ray Schoolhouse

Posted on July 13, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Schools .

This old forgotten schoolhouse, or at least what is left of it, stands hidden behind the trees not far from the shadow town of Ray. It is somewhere between Romeo and New Haven. The town goes way back to 1827 and was named by Noah Webster. It was originally named Rhea for the Latin name of a river in Europe but it was later changed the Ray. The post office closed in 1906 and not much around but a few newer houses and this crumbling old schoolhouse.

Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend 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 Poorhouse on the Red Arrow Highway

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Historic Places .

This big old three story brick house was built in 1884. It served as the county’s poorhouse for almost a century. It stands west of Paw Paw on the Red Arrow Highway. Able-bodied destitute people worked in the fields growing food for the residents. They also cared for the mentally and physically disabled people who lived in the house. The farmland is now part of the county fairgrounds and the house is used as a museum ran by the county historical society.

Poorhouse records show 36 people were buried in a nearby cemetery but with the graves being unmarked the old “potter’s field” cemetery has not been located.

Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend 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.

Two Hearted River Bridge

Posted on July 11, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Bridges, upper peninsula .

Way up north of Newberry the Two Hearted River flows into Lake Superior. A one of a kind suspension bridge with wood planking spans the river for hikers to cross over it. The bridge located in the state forest campground leads over to a sandy beach with rocks along the shoreline. It is a great place to enjoy the refreshing water of Lake Superior or go rock hunting for your favorite rocks. The bridge is also part of the North Country Trail that runs from North Dakota to Vermont and passes through Michigan.

It is a strange feeling walking over the bridge as it bounces and sways, or maybe I just need to lose some weight. If you are ever up that way, It is a long trip down dirt roads but it is a unique experience to walk across the bridge.

Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend 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 Store in Stalwart

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in General Store, upper peninsula .

In the southeast corner of the Upper Peninsula, near what’s left of the town of Stalwart, I came across this old store. It looks like it has not been occupied for a while. Yellow flowers and green grass are growing all around it without any foot traffic to impede their growth.

Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend 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.

Remembering The Myron

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Cemetery, Ships and Boats, upper peninsula .

Mission Hill Cemetery sits on a hill near Bay Mills overlooking Spectacle Lake and Lake Superior. It is an old and historic cemetery and in the middle is a white picket fence. Buried inside are the remains of eight crew members of the S.S. Myron. The steamer sank in a storm in November of 1919 near Whitefish Point. The crew escaped in lifeboats but unfortunately, the little boats did not save their lives. Eight bodies were found onshore encased in ice during the spring of 1920. The crewmen were buried in Mission Hill Cemetery spending eternity together. The captain who stayed with the ship was saved while floating on a piece of wreckage.

There a beautiful overlook across from the entrance to the cemetery. It is a beautiful spot to watch the ships sail past or take in a sunset.

Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend 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 Mysterious Mansion at the Soo

Posted on July 8, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, Houses, upper peninsula .

I was not sure where to start with my pics of the eastern Upper Peninsula so I figured I would start at the beginning. I had to get something to eat when I got up there, so I went over to Clyde’s for a burger. I went past this old house or whatever it was along the St. Mary’s River east of downtown. I am not sure what the story is, but it looks really old with its cobblestone foundation. It must have been a fantastic place back in the day looking out the windows as ships sailed past.

I looked online, but I could not find any info. It looks like someone is doing some work to it and there are no trespassing signs on the front porch. I stopped and took a pic from the road. If you know anything about this place I would love to know. please post a comment below.

Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend 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.

« Previous Page