August 2025 - Lost In Michigan

Bridgeport Oil and Gas

Posted on August 26, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Iconic Buildings .

In Bridgeport, Michigan, a classic piece of Americana stands as a reminder of a bygone era. Just south of Saginaw, near where the Cass River winds through town and by the old footbridge, is a beautifully restored service station. This little brick building, once the Bridgeport Oil and Gas Co., got its start in 1937, supplying gas for cars and fuel oil for local homes.

For nearly 40 years, it was a hub of activity until it closed its doors in 1976. Unlike today’s sprawling gas stations, like Buc-ee’s, this humble spot represents a time when service was personal. A service attendant would greet you, check your oil, and pump your gas.

Recently, the building has been given new life. Its original charm has been restored, and its windows now serve as a display for historical artifacts, offering a glimpse into a very different time in America.

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Oden Fish Hatchery

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Historic Places .

The Oden Fish Hatchery is situated to the north of Petoskey, close to Alanson. Established in 1921, the hatchery focuses on raising brown trout and rainbow trout for stocking in both inland lakes and streams, as well as the Great Lakes. The facility also keeps broodstock—mature fish designated for breeding—which produce millions of eggs each year for the entire Michigan hatchery system. A new building was constructed in 2002, and the original structure now serves as a visitors center. Unfortunately, it was closed during my visit, so I plan to return for a tour of the hatchery. It is open throughout the summer months.

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The Trading Stamp Mansion

Posted on August 19, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Houses .

Growing up, many of us remember the thrill of collecting trading stamps at the grocery store. After saving enough, you could redeem them for household goods like dishes and silverware. The most well-known of these were S&H Green Stamps. The idea originated with Shelley Byron Hutchinson, who first used stamps to promote his family’s shoe business in Battle Creek. He later partnered with Thomas A. Sperry, leveraging Sperry’s financial backing and business connections to found the company.

The Hutchinson Mansion is a prominent historic home located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Construction on the mansion began in 1902 and was completed in 1904. One of the largest homes in Ypsilanti, the 30-room mansion was designed to be a lavish residence for his bride, but it was sold in 1912 after the couple divorced. Today, the property is used for various commercial businesses. The S&H Green Stamp program peaked in the mid-1960s but saw a decline in the 1970s due to recessions, and the company was sold in 1981.

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The Building in Brampton

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, upper peninsula .

I saw this old building north of Escanaba in the Upper Peninsula. According to Google Maps, it is located in the town of Brampton, which was named after Brampton, England. A post office was established there in 1874 and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1984. I wonder if this is the building where the post office was located.

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Torch of Freedom

Posted on August 12, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Memorials .

“Torch of Freedom,” a magnificent sculpture of an arm holding a torch, is located near the marina in Rogers City. Created by Tom Moran of Moran Iron Works in Onaway, the sculpture originally shot flames from the torch. However, the flames have since been replaced with a shiny, gold-like metal. The sculpture made its debut in Onaway’s Fourth of July parade in 2004 before being donated to Rogers City.

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Flats on the River

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Iconic Buildings .

The Flats On The River building in Belding, Michigan, has a history deeply intertwined with the city’s past as a center for silk manufacturing. Constructed in 1886, the structure originally served as the Richardson Silk Mill, a key component of the Belding Brothers & Company, which earned the city the nickname “Silk City of the World.” After the silk industry declined in the 1930s, the mill stood vacant for over fifty years. Recognizing its historical significance, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 before being repurposed. In 1986, the former mill was transformed into the residential apartments now known as Flats On The River, preserving a piece of Belding’s industrial heritage while giving the historic structure a new purpose.

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The Blue Waters of the St. Clair River

Posted on August 4, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Nature .

The deep turquoise water of the St. Clair River in Port Huron is always a striking sight. Having grown up in Carrollton and now living in Saginaw, I’ve always known the Saginaw River to be brown and murky, likely due to erosion and runoff from surrounding farmlands.

I did a little research online and learned that the St. Clair River gets its beautiful color from the clear, pristine water flowing into it from Lake Huron. Regardless of the reason, there’s nothing quite like walking along the river and watching the mighty freighters glide by.

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Burt Lake Scenic Tower

Posted on August 1, 2025 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, Parks .

There’s a smal parcel of Burt Lake State Park situated at the intersection of Old US-27 and M-68, just south of Burt Lake. It appears to be a forgotten corner, with overgrown grass and weathered picnic tables clearly in need of repair. A lookout platform, once offering breathtaking vistas of Burt Lake, now stands shrouded by the encroaching trees, its spectacular view a memory.

This overlooked spot holds a bit of history, as it’s the very site where the Burt Lake Scenic Tower once proudly stood. Built around the 1930s, this observation tower was a major draw for tourists throughout the early to mid-20th century. While the tower is long gone and details of its disappearance are scarce, old postcards offer a charming glimpse into its past as a cherished local landmark.

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