Mike Sonnenberg, Author at Lost In Michigan

Historic Fort Wayne

Posted on July 21, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Detroit, Forgotten Places .

Fort Wayne sits near Detroit along the Detroit River and was built to defend and invasion by Canada. The invasion never happened but the fort served the military for a long time. The building in the photo was the enlisted men’s barracks. I believe that is where they stayed before and after being sworn into service in the United States Military. It was built in the 1890s and I can only imagine how many men stayed in the old barracks going to war from the first World War all the way to Vietnam.

Some say the old fort is haunted, you can see my post about that HERE

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The Old Jail in Cheboygan

Posted on July 19, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Historic Places .

This old building stands a few blocks south of downtown Cheboygan and block off of M-27. The words COUNTY JAIL are still chiseled in the block above the door. This old building built in 1880 served as the Cheboygan County sheriff’s residence until 1969. In the late 1800s many drunken and rowdy lumbermen sobered up in the jail. The inmates often did chores in exchange for their bed and meals prepared by the sheriff’s wife. By 1911 the jail was inadequate and a two story addition was added to the original building. It was supposed to have 8 cells on each floor, but due to safety regulations, the second floor was never finished. The county used the jail until 1969 when a new modern jail was built to replace it. In 1972 the building became a museum ran by the Historical Society of Cheboygan County.

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The Communal Cup

Posted on July 17, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in cities .

The Jeffers Memorial fountain stands in downtown Saginaw. It stands in a small park dedicated to early saginaw pioneer Michael Jeffers. After his death, his brother and niece donated land and money for a park. It was decided that a drinking fountain for the citizens of Saginaw was needed. This beautiful fountain with a bust of Jeffers on the top and lion heads spewing water out of their mouths was built. It was dedicated in 1906 and the water came from a well that was drilled below. There was also a space where Ice could be placed around pipes to cool the water. Cups connected to the fountain were placed for people to drink from. It was not until 1915 that the health department decided it was not a good idea to have thousands of people sharing and drinking from the same cup and removed them from the fountain.

P.S. The ornate building behind the fountain with the tower is the Castle Museum. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by and check it out. you can see my post about it HERE.

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Hanging Out In Horton Bay

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in General Store .

The small town of Horton Bay is located on the north side of Lake Charlevoix and it’s where a young Ernest Hemingway liked to hang out. I can see why with its beautiful northern Michigan scenery and the old general store in town. Unlike the big box stores or the convenience stores with beer posters plastered on the exterior, the old general stores have a small town community feeling to them. If you are near Lake Charlevoix I highly recommend taking a trip around the lake there are some interesting places to see and things to do. But I am saving that for a later post. By the way, I wanted to stop and do some shopping and check out the inside but it was closed. I guess that just means I need to take a trip back up there which is fine since I love the Charlevoix area.

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Quincy Stamp Mill Ruins

Posted on July 13, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, upper peninsula .

This massive crumbling building stands along M-26 north of Hancock. It is the remains of the Quincy Stamping Mill No. 1. Built in 1890 it was used to pulverize ore to extract the copper from it. The mills production peaked during World War I. After the war the demand for copper diminished and the mine’s production slowed. The mine closed in the 30s when the Great Depression hit. The mine reopened for a short time during World War II but closed for a final time shortly after the war ended. The ruins stand along the road as a reminder of the booming copper industry in the Keweenaw.

Reminder: Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE for prime day. you can see them HERE

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Lost In Michigan Books are ON SALE

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Uncategorized .

Lost In Michigan Volume 1 is 40% OFF at Amazon. If you have not picked up a copy now is a great time to get one for yourself or as a gift. You can find them HERE

Thank You to all of you that purchased a book. Your kindness and support means a lot to me and help me with expenses to do my website. Some of you have purchased all of my books and have visited all the locations in them. It amazes me how many people love Michigan but it is not surprising since it is such a beautiful state.

Thank you all for taking the time to read my posts and share them with your friends. It is a wonderful feeling to have people who appreciate what you do. I try my best to create posts that you will find interesting and informative.

Enjoy the journey,

Mike Sonnenberg.

Wreckage of the S.S. Joseph S. Fay

Posted on July 11, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Ships and Boats .

The lighthouse keeper’s log at 40 Mile Point for October 20, 1905 simply reads: “At 8:30 p.m. last night the steamer, J. S. Fay, came ashore here in a sinking condition. She soon broke up. Most of the crew came ashore on the Pilot House. Three men swam ashore, the mate was drowned.” The entry for December 4, 1905 reads: “The assistant found a dead man on the beach about 1 mile up. We think it is the mate of the Fay.”

The Joseph S. Fay was a wooden steamer built in 1871 and was one of the first Great Lake freighters built for the iron ore trade. On October 19, 1905 in heavy seas, the Fay with the Rhodes in tow, departed from Escanaba, Michigan and was downbound on Lake Huron The captain hugged the coast seeking some protection from the violent wind and savage waves. The wind shifted violently straining the towline tightened, pulling it taut until the Rhodes broke free taking a portion of the Fay’s stern with her.

Water rushed into the hull and the crew crowded into the forward cabin. The captain struggled to bring the Fay around and head to shore toward 40 Mile Point Light Station. Her bow struck a sandbar and the entire forward cabin was torn off. The wheelhouse, deck, mate’s and captain’s rooms were ripped from the deck. Incredibly, huge waves lifted the structure and carried it to shore where it washed up on the sandy beach near the light station. The captain and 10 crewmen were safe inside. In fact, one of the crewmen was reported to be asleep and didn’t even wake up.

First Mate David Syze of Port Huron and two other crewmen weren’t so fortunate. Clinging to the beached hull, the struggling men ripped off a spar and used it to paddle to shore. The first mate attempted to swim, but was overcome by the cold and was lost.

if you visit 40 Mile Point Light Station Near Rogers City and stroll up the beach about 200 yards, you can see some 150 feet of her huge wooden side, metal rods and spikes holding her steady, resting in the sand.

CLICK HERE to read my post about the 490 Mile Point Light Station

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The Big House in Hudson

Posted on July 9, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Houses .

I saw this large house in Hudson in southern Michigan. I was not able to find any history about it other than it is now used as an assisted living facility. It is a beautiful looking building.

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Geodetic Control Mark

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Benchmarks .

Around the state and the country are benchmarks used by surveyors to identify locations. There is one at Lumberman’s Monument along the Au Sable River near Oscoda that is unique. It is much larger than other benchmarks and is one of about ten highly accurate survey markers for precise locations. It was placed in 2005 as part of the U.S. Forest Service’s a Century of Service Celebration.

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The Lonely House

Posted on July 5, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places .

I saw this old house or maybe an old schoolhouse hiding among some trees and I had to stop and take a photo. I was out roaming the backroads somewhere between Richmond and Marine City when I came upon it. I was not able to find out any history and walls don’t talk so I continued on my way left to wonder what the story is of this old forgotten house.

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