Author Archives: Mike Sonnenberg

Fourtowns Grange

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places .

This old wooden building sits in the farmland of southern Michigan near the town of Quincy. Above the door is a faded sign that reads “Fourtowns Grange” It looks as if it has been a while since the old building haas been used for a Grange Hall.

The National Grange, a prominent agricultural advocacy group, was established in the United States in 1867 following the Civil War. Officially known as the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, it is a social organization that encourages families to unite to improve their economic and political standing, particularly within the agricultural sector.

As the oldest American agricultural advocacy group with a national reach, the Grange has a long history of political activism. They successfully lobbied for crucial legislation, including the Granger Laws, which aimed to regulate railroad rates, and the establishment of rural free mail delivery.

In 2005, the Grange boasted a membership of 160,000, with a presence in over 2,100 communities across 36 states. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., in a building constructed by the organization in 1960, the Grange continues to play a vital role in many rural communities. Numerous towns still maintain Grange Halls, serving as social and community centers for local farmers and their families.

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The Burnham Building

Posted on by Posted in Iconic Buildings .

The Burnham Historical Building, an Italianate-style mansion built during the Civil War, stands as a testament to Adrian’s past. Originally constructed for prominent merchant George Bidwell, it occupied a prime location on Broad Street, within easy walking distance of the city center.

In 1877, Bidwell sold the property to banker William H. Waldby for a substantial sum of $18,000. Years later, it was acquired by W. H. Burnham, president of the then-dominant Lamb Fence Company. However, the advent of the automobile era shifted the preferences of Adrian’s affluent residents towards suburban living. Facing the threat of demolition in 1957, the building was repurposed as the offices of the Adrian Public Schools, ensuring its preservation. Today, it continues to serve as an office building.

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Wahjamega and the Farm Colony

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places, Thumb .

 

Near Caro, across from the Airport on M-81, is a complex of buildings. They were part of the farm colony of Wahjamega. The name “Wahjamega” is an acronym derived from the initials of its founding sawmill partners: William A. Heartt, James A. Montgomery, and Edgar George Avery.

In 1914, the state established a Farm Colony for Epileptics in Wahjamega, intended to address the overcrowding at the Lapeer State Home for Epileptics. It started out with good intentions for helping people, but the facility gained notoriety for its involvement in eugentics and the forced sterilization of patients, a practice conducted under Michigan law from 1914 to the mid-1960s.

Over the years, the facility has operated under various names. Today, a portion of it continues to function as the Caro State Psychiatric Hospital. Many of the old buildings are gone. This one still stands not far from the hospital. I assume it was patient housing at one time but I am not sure.

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The Old House in Forester

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places, Houses, Thumb .

In the small town of Forester, nestled on the shores of Lake Huron in Michigan’s Thumb, stands thid old boarded up house. Its weathered appearance suggests long vacancy, hinting at a bygone era. I wondered if this house witnessed the tragic fate of Minie Quay, Forester’s most infamous resident.

At just 15 years old, Minie tragically took her own her life on a cold April day in 1876, by jumping off a dock into the icy waters of Lake Huron.  She was devastated by the news of her sailor boyfriend’s demise in a Great Lakes shipwreck. She was laid to rest in the cemetery overlooking the lake north of town, and her ghost is said to walk the shoreline looking for her lover.

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Lost In Deefield

Posted on by Posted in Grain Elevators, small towns .

I saw this old building along the River Rasin in the southeast Michigan town of Deerfield. I am guessing it was some sort of grain elevator or somthing agraculture related, but I am not sure. Deefield was first settled by William Kedzie in 1828 who named the town Kedzie’s Grove. It was renamed to Deerfield in 1837. The name came from the numerous deer in the area.

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The Hobo Hotel

Posted on by Posted in Historic Places, Iconic Buildings .

The small town of Tekonsha is located between Coldwater and Marshall. Next the the histrical society’s building is a small gray building witht he sign “Tekonsha Jail and hobo Hotel. The historical marker denotes it was constructed in 1878. It is not much bigger than a garden shed and I would not want to be locked up in it. The town was named after Chief of the Pottowatomies Te-kon-qua-sha in 1871. The outer sheeting covers thick logs and the inside has a flat iron bar cell. carved in the wall is the name “Lansing Kid” which begs the question, who was the Lansing Kid. Unfortunatly I could not find any info about him. Maybe he was just another hobo that spent a night there.

P.S. If you are looking for something to read while you are staying warm indoors I hope you will take a look at my Lost In Michigan books. You can see all of them on Amazon HERE 

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Lost In Jerome

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places, small towns .

The small town of Jerome is located in southern Michigan, northeast of Hillsdale. In 1871, the Detroit, Hillsdale, and Indiana Railroad ran a rail line through the southern Michigan forest. In anticipation of the new railroad, landowner Jerome Smith purchased land and plotted a new town named after himself. He served as the town’s first postmaster and worked as an agent for the railroad. The town’s population grew rapidly, with several businesses relying on the trains that stopped at the town’s depot. In 1906, a large two-story brick schoolhouse was built.

Eventually, the train no longer stopped in the town of Jerome, and the community began to decline. The school was closed in 1960, and the students were bused to nearby North Adams. The businesses faded away, and the two old, dilapidated buildings still stand on Main Street, remembering a time of a prosperous Jerome. A few houses still stand in the little town, and the old school has been converted into a community center.

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Tippy Dam

Posted on by Posted in Dam .

When I am out and about traversing the peninsulas, I cant pass up an oppertunity to take a dam photo.

Tippy Dam, originally known as Junction Hydro, is a hydroelectric dam built in 1918 and currently operated by Consumers Energy. It was renamed in honor of Charles W. Tippy, a member of the Consumers’ board of directors. Situated approximately 170 miles west of the Manistee River’s headwaters and 20 miles east of its mouth at Lake Michigan, the dam spans the river near Manistee Lake.

Tippy Dam State Recreation Area, managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, offers excellent fishing opportunities. The area below the dam is renowned for its trout, steelhead, and salmon, particularly during the fall salmon run when anglers flock to the banks to catch king salmon exceeding 20 pounds.

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Shoe Tree

Posted on by Posted in Landscapes .

I was traveling the back roads near Whitmore Lake. I cam upon a shoe tree covered in old shoes. It is an odd sight seeing al the footware dangeling from the branches of an old tree next to the road. I am not sure the reason for it but it is attention grabbing.

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Dollar Settlement

Posted on by Posted in small towns, upper peninsula .

I previously shared a post about an intriguing railroad car located in Dollar Settlement, near Brimley. Thanks to the kindness of several commenters, I’ve uncovered some fascinating details about its history. Thank you to Steve and Pauline.
Dollar Settlement owes its name to Joseph “Joe” Dollar, a local legend who navigated the waters of Lake Superior, delivering essential mail and supplies to the region’s inhabitants. His modest log cabin stood on the lakeshore, just north of the railroad car’s current resting place.
The railroad car arrived as a hopeful replacement for Louise’s Hamburger Stand, a beloved local eatery. The plan was to transform it into a new dining destination, carrying on the legacy of Louise’s famous, secret hamburger sauce recipe. Unfortunately, this dream was never realized.
Carol Eccleston and her son John, Louise’s granddaughter and grandson, were the driving force behind this ambitious project. However, Carol’s declining health and limited resources hindered their efforts. Despite facing zoning challenges from the local township, which they ultimately overcame, the extensive restoration required for the rail car proved too daunting. Today, the car remains a silent testament to a dream deferred, serving only as a storage space for the family.

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