November 2022 - Lost In Michigan

A Patriotic Christmas Tree

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Historic Places .

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.

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Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Cemetery .

The Oak Hill Cemetery sits east of downtown Pontiac. It is where the Buckland Memorial Chapel stands. The old English style stone chapel was built in 1898. The cemetery contains the remains of six veterans of the Revolutionary War and well over 27 veterans of the Civil War, including General Israel B. Richardson, Michigan governor Moses Wisner, and General Joseph T. Copeland

Michigan has some of the most beautiful little chapels in cemeteries. Whenever I see them I always think they would make a beautiful wedding chapel, but I am thinking most brides do not want to get married in a cemetery.

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The Best Water in Michigan

Posted on November 26, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Artesian Springs, upper peninsula .

I was traveling across the Upper Peninsula on US-2 headed to Duluth for my other website Lost In The States. I went through the town of Norway near Iron Mountain. Right along the highway, about a mile outside of town is a stone fountain. The water comes from an artesian spring and flows all year long.

In 1903 Oliver Mining Company was searching for iron ore and drilled a hole about a thousand foot deep. The hole cuts several steeply dipping porous strata that trap water at higher elevations to the north. The difference in elevation creates the pressure in an artesian well. The back side of the fountain is a pipe with flowing water for filling up jugs. I stopped along my journey and filled up an empty water bottle that I had in my Jeep. I gotta say it is the best tasting water that I have ever had. If you are ever passing through Norway be sure to bring a few jugs to fill up with water.

P.S. Lost in Michigan books are ON SALE at Amazon HERE

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Thank You

Posted on November 24, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in autumn, Churches .

I have been exploring the peninsulas for Lost In Michigan for almost a decade. I am fortunate to be able to travels this wonderful state and share my experiences with you. Thank you all for taking the time to read my post and share your comments. We are blessed to live in a country where we can set aside a day to reflect on the things we are thankful for. Nothing is perfect and I am sure we all face challenges it is nice to look at the positive things in life and be grateful for what we have. I hope you are as fortunate as I am and able to spend time with your friends and family.

Safe Travels,

Mike Sonnenberg

P.S. If you are wondering about the church in the pic it is Mt. Hope Church north of Grass Lake.

Hope School

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Schools .

This little schoolhouse stands a few miles south of Hastings. From 1872 to 1963 Hope Township children attended school in this building, known as the Hinds School because of its location at the crossroads community of Hinds Corners. The school had stood vacant for almost twenty years when Robert Casey, a Hinds student during the 1930s, purchased it in 1981. Casey (1928-1997), a teacher here and in Hastings, restored the building as a place for children to visit.

I wanted to let you know that Wall Calendars are 50% OFF on my zazzle.com store HERE

Also the first volume of Lost In Michigan is ON SALE buy 3 for the price of 2 at Amazon HERE If you want to see all of the books I have published you can see them on my authors page HERE

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Lost In Michigan Early Black Friday Sale

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Uncategorized .

I wanted to let you know that Wall Calendars and T-shirts are ON SALE on my zazzle.com store HERE

Also the first volume of Lost In Michigan is ON SALE buy 3 for the price of 2 at Amazon HERE If you want to see all of the books I have published you can see them on my authors page HERE

Thank you all so much for your support. I know a lot of you have already purchased books and calendars from me and I really appreciate it. The money I make from the sales of my books and calendars helps me with expenses to continue posting on my website.

The Old Orphanage

Posted on November 20, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in upper peninsula .

I took a photo of the old orphanage in Marquette almost ten years ago way back when I started Lost In Michigan. Holy Family Orphanage was constructed in 1915 and was used until 1967. It was home to children ranging from infants to high schoolers. It was also where Native American children were brought after being removed from their families to be “integrated” into white Christian culture.

The old building had sat empty for decades and some claimed it was haunted. In 2016 the old orphanage got a new lease on life after a 15 million dollar renovation converted it into apartments. I have taken a lot of pics of old buildings over the years and many of them have been torn down. It is nice to see this one has been renovated and repurposed.

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The House in the Hills

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Houses .

I came upon this old forgotten house somewhere in the Chippewa Hills area. It looks as if it has been worn down from years and years of Michigan weather. If walls could talk I can only imagine what stories they would tell. I wonder when the last Thanksgiving meal was shared inside.

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The Dome along M-22

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Historic Places .

If you have ever traveled along M-22 south of Empire you may have noticed a large white sphere sticking up over the trees. If you are curious like me you have probably wondered what it is. It was built in the 1950s as part of the Empire Air Force Station operated by the 752d Aircraft Control and Warning (AC&W) squadron. It was a long range radar that scanned the skies for missiles from the Soviet Union. The station was deactivated in 1978. In the 1980s it was turned over to the FAA and now the radar is used to monitor commercial aircraft.

It sits near the Empire Bluff Trail Head and I drove up to get a closer look at it but unfortunately the road was closed to visitors. The buildings from the old base is used my the National Park Service and only employees are allowed in. Oh well at least now I know what the giant “golf ball” along M-22 is used for.

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The Backwards Lighthouse

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Lighthouses, upper peninsula .

The sun rising on the Sand Point Lighthouse in Escanaba on a crisp autumn morning. Built in 1867 the lighthouse is a simple design with a square tower. Lighthouse are built with the tower facing the water but Sand Point is unique in that it is on the back side of the building from Lake Michigan. No one knows exactly why it was built the way it was but it is a beautiful little lighthouse.

If you love lighthouses I hope you will take a look at my Lighthouse book HERE

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