July 2025 - Lost In Michigan

The Grayling Depot

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Train Depots .

The Grayling, Michigan depot holds a significant place in the town’s history, dating back to 1882 when it was built by the Michigan Central Railroad. Initially, the area was known as “Crawford” by the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw Railroad Company, which laid tracks to the location in 1872 and constructed a freight house. However, the town eventually adopted the name “Grayling” after the fish abundant in the local rivers. In its heyday, the depot was a bustling terminal, offering passenger service with numerous daily trains and acting as a hub for the thriving lumber industry, facilitating the transport of vast quantities of timber. It originally housed a hotel, restaurant, crew quarters, and freight facilities, serving as a vital link for both people and goods in Northern Michigan.

Today, the Grayling depot has been preserved and transformed into the Crawford County Historical Society Museum, a testament to its enduring legacy. The community rallied to save the depot from demolition, recognizing its historical value. The museum now showcases various aspects of Crawford County’s past, including railroad artifacts, displays on the lumber industry, a one-room schoolhouse exhibit, and even a military building on the grounds. An old woodside caboose is also prominently displayed in the depot’s front yard, adding to the historical ambiance. The depot continues to be a central point for understanding the rich history of Grayling and the significant role railroads played in its development.

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Petoskey’s Hidden Gem: The Wright Cycle Co.

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Iconic Buildings .

Strolling past Pennsylvania Park in downtown Petoskey, you might notice a curious building among the offices and retail spaces – one emblazoned with “Wright Cycle Co.” It looks like a relic, frozen in time, and you’d be right to wonder about it, as it’s almost never open.

However, as reported by The Petoskey News-Review, this intriguing building springs to life once a year, every December 17th. This date marks the anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first historic flight, and on this day, the doors of Petoskey’s Wright Cycle Co. swing open to the public.

Stepping Inside History

Venture inside, and you’ll find a meticulously recreated replica of the original Wright Cycle Company shop. The space is a treasure trove of historical artifacts, exhibits, and information all dedicated to Wilbur and Orville Wright. The building and its impressive collection are owned by Dave Russell, a devoted expert on the Wright brothers.

A sign within the Petoskey shop illuminates a crucial connection: how the brothers’ work with bicycles provided the calculations essential for their groundbreaking first flight. As one visitor, Kaplan, read from a sign, “Here on this day, Dec. 17, 1903, the first powered flight took place… The Wright brothers were flying for you, they were flying for me and they were flying for all humanity. They broke the bonds of gravity. On the sands of Kill Devil Hill, Wilbur and Orville Wright gave the gift to soar like an eagle. We thank the Wright brothers for this gift.”

A Passion for Flight

Russell’s fascination with the Wright brothers began around age 12, sparked by a visit to Greenfield Village with his father. The historical village, maintained by the Henry Ford Museum, houses the original Wright Cycle Shop, and his dad’s explanation of its historical significance clearly left an impression. His interest was further cemented when he later met Ivonette Wright, the Wright brothers’ niece.

Through a friendship with the curator of the Wrights’ home (also owned by the Henry Ford Museum), Russell acquired his most prized possession: Orville Wright’s personal address book. Dating back to 1906, this book contains the names of many early aviators, a testament to its historical value.

A Building’s Journey

The Petoskey Wright Cycle Co. building itself has an interesting history. It was originally located next to the City Park Grill. In the 1990s, the city planned to demolish it to create a parking lot. Russell intervened, asking if he could move the building and purchasing a plot of land for it.

Initially, the city intended to give him the building for free, but legal complexities prevented it. Instead, they sold it to Russell for a symbolic $1. In 1996, a collaborative effort by community members saw the bricks carefully washed and relocated to the building’s current spot on Park Avenue, facing Pennsylvania Park.

Today, the building serves as a unique home for Russell’s extensive collection of Wright brothers memorabilia. He doesn’t sell anything from the shop; rather, it’s a dedicated space for his artifacts and a cherished opportunity, once a year, to educate the public about the incredible legacy of the Wright brothers and their pivotal role in history.

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The Empty Heritage House

Posted on July 17, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Houses .

This amazing white house, with massive columns on its front porch, stands near downtown Chesaning. This once-opulent house, which was formerly a popular upscale restaurant, now sits empty, waiting for someone to come along and give it a purpose once again.

It was built in 1907-1908 by George M. Nason (1859-1929), a prominent figure whose family had a long history of success in the lumbering business in the Chesaning area. The house is a grand example of the Georgian Revival style, featuring stately Ionic columns and a distinctive circular opening between the first and second floors on the interior.

The Nason family resided in the house until 1945. For several decades, it remained a private residence until 1980, when it was transformed into an elegant dining establishment known as the Chesaning Heritage House. For nearly 30 years, it was a popular restaurant, owned and operated by Bonnie and Howard Ebenhoeh, who even shared their famous blueberry muffin recipe from the establishment. Unfortunately, the restaurant closed, and in recent years, the house has faced challenges with disrepair and accumulated unpaid property taxes. While there have been various owners with plans for renovation, the building has largely sat vacant. I believe it is currently owned by the Village of Chesaning with the hopes of finding new owners.

P.S. I remember eating dinner here with my wife many years ago when we were first married. It was around that time that it closed. It was an amazing restaurant with historic rooms and a lot of history. I hope someday it will be used again.

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Alanson’s Natural Spring

Posted on July 15, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Artesian Springs .

About a mile north of Alanson along US-31 is a natural spring that flows all year long. It has wonderful tasting water and plenty of flow to fill up a jug or water bottle. Please note that it sits on private property and in front of someone’s home. It is open to the public as long as they are respectful of the owners. If you are ever passing through the area and have a vessel to hold this refreshing water, be sure to stop and fill up.

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The Cherry Weigh Station

Posted on July 13, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Barns and Farms, Iconic Buildings .

Nestled close to the Bowers Harbor boat launch on Old Mission Peninsula, there exists a delightful pavilion that feels as if it belongs in a scenic park. This structure, which is over a century old and was constructed in 1920, holds great significance in the history of Traverse City. Initially, it functioned as the Cherry Growers Weigh Station, providing local farmers with a handy spot to weigh their harvested cherries, thus saving them the hassle of traveling into Traverse City.

After it closed its doors in the 1960s, the pavilion was repurposed and became Lorey’s Harbor Station. This market, which was in operation from 1972 until 2017, offered a variety of fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables to the community.

The history of cherry farming in Traverse City goes back to 1852 when Presbyterian missionary Peter Dougherty planted a multitude of cherry trees in the Old Mission Peninsula. Although there was initial doubt from local residents and Native Americans, Dougherty’s venture turned out to be a success, encouraging others to start their own orchards.

As the cherry industry flourished, Traverse City initiated the “Blessing of the Blossoms” ceremony in 1924 to honor its agricultural achievements. This custom eventually transformed into the famous National Cherry Festival, where the first Cherry Queen, Charlotte Kearns, was crowned in 1926.

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The Big Fish

Posted on July 8, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in small towns .

Kalkaska, Michigan, is home to the impressive National Trout Memorial, a prominent statue often referred to as “The Big Fish” or the “Fisherman’s Shrine.” This iconic landmark, dedicated in 1966, features a large brook trout, Michigan’s official state fish, measuring approximately 17 to 18 feet in length. The statue is typically set within a fountain, which operates during warmer months and is illuminated at night, creating a striking visual. Its base incorporates wash stones from nearby Torch Lake and Michigan Petoskey stones, further connecting it to the state’s natural beauty. Located across US 131 from downtown Kalkaska, in front of the Kalkaska Historical Museum, the memorial serves as a welcoming sight for travelers heading “Up North” and a proud symbol of the town’s rich fishing heritage.

The National Trout Memorial holds deep significance for Kalkaska, embodying its identity as a premier destination for trout fishing. The town proudly hosts the annual National Trout Festival, an event that celebrates this heritage and draws visitors from far and wide. The statue itself has undergone various iterations and restorations over the years, with the current fiberglass rendition being the third version since the original installation. More than just a roadside attraction, “The Big Fish” is a beloved local icon, a testament to the community’s connection to its natural resources, and a constant reminder of the excellent trout fishing opportunities that abound in the surrounding rivers and streams.

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The Old Church in Deckerville

Posted on July 2, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Churches, small towns, Thumb .

This old church stands on a farm along a dirt road near Deckerville. The town owes its name to Charles Decker, who established his lumber business in 1870. His construction of a sawmill and gristmill helped draw people to the area, leading to Deckerville’s incorporation as a village in 1893. Charles’s son, Martin Decker, served as the first postmaster in 1870, and the town eventually became a stop on the Pere Marquette Railroad.

The Thumb area experienced significant forest fires in both 1871 and 1881. While destructive, these fires had an unintended benefit: they cleared vast tracts of land, quickly transforming the region into a highly productive farming area.

Throughout its history, Deckerville has been home to a variety of industries. Beyond its initial lumbering roots, the village has seen fur-trading, woolen mills, flax mills, brick making, and even a sauerkraut factory. At one point, cheese making was also a thriving local industry.

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Mile Marker 199

Posted on July 2, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Memorials, people .

As you travel along I-75 near Standish, keep an eye out for Mile Marker 199. Beside it stands a solitary evergreen tree, adorned with various decorations and an American Flag. This isn’t just any tree; it’s a poignant memorial, marking the site of a devastating accident that occurred two decades ago and serving as a powerful reminder of life’s fragility.

The tragedy unfolded on a Father’s Day weekend when 20-year-old Jason Porter, from St. Clair Shores, was heading north with his uncle to meet his father at the family cabin. Their journey was cut short near Mile Marker 199 when a drunk driver, speeding the wrong way down the freeway, collided with their vehicle head-on. Jason was killed instantly, as was the drunk driver. Jason’s uncle remarkably survived, escaping with a broken ankle.

In the immediate aftermath, Jason’s mother, Kathy Porter of Roseville, sought a way to honor her son’s memory at the site of his last moments. She placed a small wooden cross in the grass along the highway, but it was repeatedly removed, first by the local road commission and then by a construction crew during repaving. Heartbroken, Kathy contacted the highway crew, hoping to retrieve her cross, only to learn it had been discarded.

However, a compassionate worker, moved by her story, offered to plant a tree at the spot in Jason’s memory. This act of kindness blossomed into the memorial you see today. The tree has since become a focal point for remembrance, continually decorated with items that honor Jason’s life.

The next time your travels take you past Mile Marker 199, take a moment to acknowledge this decorated evergreen. It stands not only as a testament to a mother’s enduring love but also as a somber reminder of how quickly life can change and the importance of cherishing every moment with loved ones.

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