Mike Sonnenberg, Author at Lost In Michigan

The Other Big Green Bridge

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Bridges .

The Cut River Bridge on US-2 passes over the Cut River which carved a gorge into the landscape over the several centries it has flowed into Lake Michigan. From the topside, it seems like most bridges. But if you stop at the rest area next to the bridge, you can walk down underneath it and see the myriad of green steel girders.

It’s near the town of Epoufette about 25 miles west of St. Ignace. Construction of the bridge began in 1941 but was halted during WWII. The 641 foot long bridge was finally compleated in 1947. Under the east end of the bridge is a wooden door in the stone foundation. A brass plate on the door reads ” T. Troll ” I am not sure if it is their office or home, but whenever I knocked they never answered.

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Michigan’s Incarcerated Ghosts

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Haunted Places, Uncategorized .

I take a lot of photos of old historic buildings from around the state. I especially like the ornate victorian ara building with elaborate stonework and hand-carved woodwork. The old Mecosta Jail was built in 1893 and is the oldest public structure in the city of Big Rapids.

It’s interesting the strange things I find out about some of the places I visit in the state. I took a pic of this old building because I thought it was interesting. I did not imagine I would find out how it as a dark entity inside that haunts the old jail. I was doing a little research on the building and I came across a video with the president of the Big Rapids Historic Preservation Society.

The old jail had a tunnel that extended to the courthouse to transport prisoners to arraignments and court hearings. It comes out into an old stone basement and I can only imagine what it must have been like for prisoners back in the day to be taken in handcuffs and chains down that old dark tunnel. Afterward, being taken back to a confined cell with large flat iron bars and thick solid steel doors. I am not sure if it is haunted, but it is a spooky place.

Here is the video I came across describing some of the strange things that happen in the old building. you can watch it on Youtube HERE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOH_SVMTgqc

Find Interesting locations throughout the Mitten State with a Lost In Michigan book Available on Amazon by clicking HERE

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The Old Steeple in Niles

Posted on October 6, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Churches .

This old brick church stands tall towering over the homes in Niles, The historical marker tells some of its story.

The Roman Catholic Church in Niles traces its origin to the Indian Mission established at nearby Fort St. Joseph in the late 1600’s. Reestablished at Bertrand, three miles south of Niles, in the 1830s, the mission moved into town in 1849 and was renamed St. Francis’s. In 1866 the cornerstone of the present building was laid and on December 11, 1870, the church was dedicated to St. Mary. Designed by Rufus Rose of Niles with later modifications by Father John Cappon, the church was completed in 1890 with the construction of the gothic tower. Father Cappon, known as the “parish’s greatest benefactor,” was a Belgian-born priest who served as pastor for over thirty years. He gave generously of his large personal estate for many parish improvements.

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2019 Fall Presentations

Posted on October 3, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in presentations .

This Autumn I have a few presentations planned. If you are in the area I hope you can stop by and listen to me talk about some of my travels around Michigan.

Marysville Public Library

October 21st at 6:30pm you can find out more at their website here http://www.stclaircountylibrary.org/EventInfo.aspx?id=27001

Tamarack District Library in Lakeview

Tuesday, October 29th at 6pm

Omer Public Library

At the Masonic Lodge in Omer November 4th

Zauel Public Library In Saginaw

Presentation for the Saginaw Valley Antique Society, the public is welcome to join.

November 19th at 7:00 pm

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The Mystery House

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, Houses .

I was going through some of my old galleries and I came across this old forgotten house. I can’t remember even taking this photo let alone where it is located. It was in a gallery of photos from the Leelanau Peninsula so I am assuming the old house is located somewhere in the peninsula. Oh well, maybe I will discover it again on another trip.

Time to announce the winner of the book giveaway congratulations to Vicki DeLano Denman, she is the winner chosen at random from the list of comments. Thank you all for the kind comments I do my best to post something you will enjoy reading. If you want to order a Lost In Michigan book now is a good time while they are ON SALE here https://lostinmichigan.net/shop/

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Little Big Town of Watson

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Ghost towns, upper peninsula .

The little town of Watson is near the middle of the Upper Peninsula. Not much of it remains today but a few residents and some old buildings. The town was a sawmill town and mail distribution point with the railroad passing trough it. Even though it only consisted of a few buildings Watson must have been a large metropolis to the people that lived around there in the late 1800s and early 1900s because there is nothing around for miles but forest.

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Book Giveaway

Posted on September 29, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Giveaways, Uncategorized .

Thank you all so much for taking time from your busy day to read my posts. It’s been a while since I have given a book away, so here is your chance to win a Lost In Michigan Volume 2. To Enter, simply write a comment on this post (Scroll down to the bottom). I will pick a winner at random and announce them in a post on Wednesday, October 2nd. Good luck and may the odds be in your favor and the force be with you.

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to email notifications so you wont miss the announmet of the winner

The Haunted Hall in Ypsi

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Haunted Places, Schools .

Mary Ann Starkweather donated money to build this beautiful stone building in 1897 on the campus of Eastern Michigan. She requested the building be used for religious purposes. Her building became the home of the Students’ Christian Association. In 1928 the Christian association ended and in 1976 the Office of Religious Affairs was discontinued. After that, the building was used for campus offices.

Students and faculty believed Starkweather was upset her building was no longer being used as she intended and she began haunting the building. They say strange things happen in the hallways and in the basement of the old building. Most notably a janitor claimed someone or something touched him while he was working all alone in the basement. If you as any EMU student which building is haunted. they will most definitely say Starkweather. For myself, I am not sure about the hauntings, but it is a beautiful old building and a kind gift from a generous woman.

Want to read more interesting stories about Michigan? Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend. you can order them from my website HERE https://lostinmichigan.net/shop/

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The Hidden Ghost Town Cemetery

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Cemetery, Ghost towns .

The town of Hamlin was a sawmill town founded by Charles Mears that was destroyed in a tragic event. The town began in 1852 with Mears Building a wooden dam on the Big Sable River which is in the present-day Ludington State Park. Over the years Hamling grew to have a school, church, saloons and several houses. In 1888 the wooden dam broke and the force of the rushing water pushed the building of Hamlin off their foundations and downstream. You can see some of the foundations and a few artifacts on the path along the river.

Most people that visit the park are unaware of the cemetery that is hidden in the woods. It’s up on a hill not far from the parking lot for Hamlin Beach. The cemetery only has a few headstones and is surrounded by an old wooden fence.

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The Shunned Lighthouse

Posted on September 24, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Lighthouses .

I looked all around the internets and through the books that I have. I found little information on this unique looking lighthouse. It stands at the city beach in New Buffalo at the mouth of the Galien River. The town did have an official lighthouse built way back in the 1830s and it was demolished in the 1850s.

Strangely I could not find when the current light was built. I fould a reference that said it was a replica of the original light. I am not sure about that since the original was built with stone and not cinder blocks and vinyl siding.

The current light does not show up on the Coast Guard’s official list of aid to navigation. It also does not appear on Terry Pepper’s website or Lighthouse Friends website. It as if this cute little light on the beach was shunned and forgotten about.

Just to let you know, I am doing a CALENDAR GIVEAWAY on my facebook page HERE You can order calendars before the sale ends HERE

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