Mike Sonnenberg, Author at Lost In Michigan

The Old Stone Schoolhouse

Posted on March 8, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Schools .

This old schoolhouse near Ionia is believed to be the oldest schoolhouse still standing in Michigan. The Sessions School was built in 1847 with local fieldstone by Alanzo Session, a New York school teacher who moved to the Ionia area. He built the school on his property to educate the local children. Session’s house is gone, but the old schoolhouse still stands in the northern part of the Ionia State Recreation Area.

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Wahjamega

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Uncategorized .

I drove past Wahjamega complex several times on my way to Caro, I never really stopped to look at it, but I did today and got a few pics from the parking lot. I did not want to wonder around to much since the state still uses some of the buildings and I figure they would not like me roaming around the complex.

The name Wahjamega is an acronym from the initials of three partners who operated a sawmill here: William A Heartt, James A. Montgomery, and Edgar George Avery.

In 1914 a Farm Colony for Epileptics was Established by the state and was devoted to the treatment of epilepsy. Much of the original population of the facility was moved from the overcrowded Lapeer State Home for Epileptics. This facility gained some fame later on as it was one of several facilities that was involved in forced sterilizations that took place under Michigan laws from 1914 to the mid 1960’s. The facility has operated under several names over the years and a portion of it is currently still in operation as the Caro Center.

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The Old Church in Tyrone

Posted on March 6, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Churches .

This old church stands in Tyrone Township south of Fenton. It was constructed in 1879. The historical marker next to it reads:

The Congregational Church of Tyrone grew out of the Methodist Episcopal church that organized here in 1845. Itinerant ministers called circuit riders served what was known as the Tyrone or Cranston Class. In 1874 the class split over where to build a new church. The faction that wanted a church in Tyrone Center reorganized in 1876 as Congregationalists under the leadership of the Reverend William H. Osborn of Hartland. Three years later the present church was built.

This country church, built by Congregationalists in 1879, contains architectural elements popular during the late Victorian era. The decorative bargeboard and finial on the vestibule peak and the gabled window caps add a touch of elegance to the otherwise modest building. By 1918 both the Methodist and Congregational churches in Tyrone faced financial difficulties and merged, forming a Presbyterian society in 1920. The new society continued to worship in this building.

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The Frankfort Lighthouse

Posted on March 5, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Lighthouses .

The Frankfort light was constructed in 1912 and stood on the end of a wooden pier. A concrete breakwater was constructed in the 1930s along with a two-story steel building. The light tower was placed on top of the two-story structure at the end of the breakwater. It has been standing vigilant ever since.

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The Union Depot in Muskegon

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Train Depots .

Sometimes I think that I was born in the wrong century. I often wonder what it was like riding the train from town to town in Michigan in the early 1900’s. I have to admit when it comes to trains I am a buff like Sheldon Cooper and have visited train museums. I like to visit the old train depots left over from that bygone era, like the beautiful old depot in Muskegon. The Historical marker next to it reads:

The Union Depot was opened in 1895 to serve the Chicago & West Michigan Railway; The Muskegon, Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad; and the Toledo, Saginaw & Muskegon Railroad. A.W. Rush and Son of Grand Rapids designed the Richardsonian Romanesque station. Several national political figures paused at the depot during whistle-stop campaigns. In 1896, William Jennings Bryan stopped during the first of three unsuccessful presidential bids. The 1952 campaign brought Republican vice presidential candidate, and future president Richard M. Nixon to Muskegon as well as President Harry S Truman who stopped on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson. The Union Depot closed in 1971. It was donated to Muskegon County in 1992 and restored as a visitors’ center and museum.

Reminder. I will be at the Walker Memorial Library giving a presentation on March 16th, at 6 pm.

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Deer Lick Outlets

Posted on March 3, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Houses, small towns .

In the middle of Birch Run is this beautiful old house with a wrap around porch, It was built by Charles Wolohan, he operated a granary elevator for local farmers and later added lumber as a sideline business, it was the sideline business that grew into Wolohan Lumber, and it was eventually purchased by Wickes Lumber. I was told the room at the top of the home was used by Mr Wolohan to look out and watch over his workers.

Birch Run was originally founded as a station on the Pere Marquette Railroad by John Moore, its first postmaster, in 1852. It was named after its creek, which runs through a large birch tree area. I could not find out why, but in 1863, the town was renamed Deer Lick until 1868 when it reverted to Birch Run. It was was incorporated as a village in 1955.

I remember Birch Run before the outlet mall was constructed, and the town sure has changed a lot. There was not much traffic and about the only place to eat was the Exit and Tony’s. It makes me wonder what the town would be like if it would have remained Deer Lick. I have a feeling Deer Lick Premium Outlets would not have been that successful, but I guess we will never know.

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Another Old Barn

Posted on March 2, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Barns and Farms .

I saw this old barn somewhere near Standish. I don’t know its history or story but it looked rather empty with some of its walls missing.

Thank you all so much for taking time from your day to read my posts. I hope you have a wonderful day.

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The Odd Foundation

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Historic Places .

In the southwest town of Berrien Springs is a collection of historic buildings. They include a courthouse, log cabin and sheriff’s residence. Next to the sheriff’s house is an odd shaped foundation and it is what remains of a unique jail. Inside a square brick building the jail. Built in 1870, back when Berrien Springs was the county seat, this jail’s design was inspired by Auburn New York which pioneered the humane treatment of prisoners.

The building was a square brick building but inside the 24 jail cells (16 on the first floor and 8 on the second) were arranged in a circle. It was two stories tall and in the center was a sky light and a vent for lighting and fresh air. After the county seat moved to St Joseph in 1894 the jail was left abandoned. In 1916 it was demolished. This replica foundation and cells stand as a reminder of the unique jail that once stood here and is now part of the Courthouse Square maintained by the Berrien County Historical Association.

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The Old Grain Elevator in Avoca

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Grain Elevators .

The Old Grain Elevator in Avoca between Imlay City and Port Huron. The town was founded in 1884 and named after the Avoca river valley in Ireland. It had a train station at one time, but it’s gone now, and the old elevator has not seen a train in some time. The town is the northern end of the Wadhams to Avoca rail trail.

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The Old Wooden Church and the President

Posted on February 27, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Churches .

This old wooden church that stands in Muir has an interesting connection to an American President. The history marker next to it tells it unique story and reads:

In 1856 the Reverend Isaac Errett organized Disciples of Christ congregations in Montrose (present-day Muir) and Lyons. Membership grew quickly, and in 1861 this church was built to serve Muir. The board-and-batten Gothic Revival exterior masks a simple meetinghouse interior. In 1881 Errett was the principal speaker at the funeral of his friend President James A. Garfield, who visited Muir in 1862. The Muir Church of Christ is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

It is amazing the things you can learn by reading historical markers.

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