Author Archives: Mike Sonnenberg

Kalkaska’s Concrete Flag

Posted on by Posted in Memorials .

Located along M-72 west of Kalkaska, this concrete flag stand marks the entrance to Patriot Park Veterans Memorial. Clearwater Township owns the 80-acre property, which offers stunning views of Grand Traverse Bay. While efforts are underway to transform it into a full-fledged veterans memorial, it currently features a serene trail through the woods leading to an impressive overlook. The hope is for it to become a magnificent tribute to our servicemen and women. You can learn more on thier facbook pager HERE

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The Old Mission Log Church

Posted on by Posted in Churches .

The Old Mission Log Church, located on Michigan’s Old Mission Peninsula, is a significant historical landmark that tells a compelling story of early missionary efforts and community development in the Grand Traverse region. While the current structure is a replica built in 1939 to commemorate the centennial of Reverend Peter Dougherty’s Presbyterian mission, it stands near the original site and houses the original church bell. Dougherty, a Presbyterian missionary, arrived in 1839 to establish a church and school for the local Anishinaabe (Ottawa and Chippewa) people. The original log building itself had an even earlier history, reportedly being moved piece by piece from Elk Rapids to Old Mission by Native Americans to be rebuilt as the church.

The Old Mission Log Church served as a vital spiritual and community hub for decades, even after Dougherty relocated his mission to Omena in 1852. From 1858 to 1916, it functioned as a Methodist Episcopal parish, hosting numerous assigned pastors and “circuit rider” ministers. Though the original log church was eventually torn down for its lumber in the 1920s, the replica, built on land donated by Bertha Gilmore, continues to serve as a tangible link to this important past. Today, the Old Mission Log Church, with its updated historical displays, offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of early settlers and the Anishinaabe people, highlighting the cultural and religious dynamics of the era.

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Grindstone City Trading Company

Posted on by Posted in Iconic Buildings, Thumb .

This old building stands in Grindstone City at the tip of the Thumb. It was the Grindstone City Trading Company and it was the last company to own and operate the grindstone quarries and company store that were once the centerpiece of a thriving grindstone industry. The industry began in 1834 when Captain Aaron Peer discovered a high-quality gritstone in the area. This led to the establishment of quarries and mills to produce grindstones, which were exported internationally. The Cleveland Stone Company purchased all the properties and quarries in 1888 and became the sole proprietors.

The grindstone industry in Grindstone City declined after World War I. This was due to the development of carborundum, an artificial abrasive that was more economical to produce. This change caused the industry to cease operations around 1930.The Grindstone General Store is the last remaining business from the original Grindstone City. It is now a seasonal ice cream parlor and gift shop.

If you love exploring the Thumb and reading about its unique history be sure to look at my new book Lost In Michigan’s Thumb available on Amazon HERE

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Sugar Island’s Concrete Building

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places, people, upper peninsula .

This old, abandoned concrete building stands near the shoreline on Sugar Island, east of Sault Ste. Marie. It held items of immense value—not gold or jewels, but books and manuscripts. It was the library for Chase Osborn. He was Michigan’s 27th Governor and the only one from the Upper Peninsula. He built an estate on Sugar Island and held his vast collection of books in his library. It was made of concrete and steel so that it would not be flammable. His home was a modest log cabin, but his library was what was important to him. The estate is mostly in ruins now, but you can hike to it in the Chase Osborn Preserve, managed by the University of Michigan.HERE

P.S. Osborn’s books were donated to the University of Michigan and Lake Superior State University.

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Old Mission General Store

Posted on by Posted in General Store .

Perched on the northern tip of Old Mission Peninsula north of Traverse City, you’ll find The Old Mission General Store, one of Michigan’s most enduring historical landmarks. Established in the mid-1800s, this general store has been a vital part of the local community for generations. While it once served as a crucial hub for agricultural supplies like grain and feed, today it thrives by offering a diverse selection of goods, unique gifts, and fresh food to both residents and the many tourists who visit.

The store has occupied its current location since the Civil War era, and remarkably, a significant portion of the original structure remains intact, forming the central section of the building. Here, visitors can still admire the worn wooden floors and the classic potbellied stove, evoking a strong sense of history. Beyond its retail offerings, the general store proudly houses one of Michigan’s oldest operating post offices and even features a fascinating, albeit no longer functional, antique telephone switchboard. Walking into the old store is like stepping back in time.

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The Blue Man of Elkton

Posted on by Posted in people, Thumb .

In early 1958, motorists around Elkton in Michigan’s Thumb region began reporting sightings of a “little blue man.” This glowing figure, described as looking like a spaceman, would mysteriously appear on rural roads and then vanish just as suddenly, leaving startled drivers with no trace of him. As time went on, the sightings grew more fantastic, with some claiming the man was ten feet tall, others two feet tall, and one even stating he “ran faster than any human.” The local police began searching for the cause of these strange reports.

The mystery was finally solved when three young men—Jerry Sprague, Don Weiss, and LeRoy Schultz—confessed to the prank. Inspired by news reports of flying saucers, they created a costume from long underwear, gloves, combat boots, a sheet with eyeholes, and a football helmet with blinking lights, all spray-painted glow-in-the-dark blue after a popular song. Sprague, who fit the underwear, would hide in a ditch and leap out as a car approached, running along the road to draw attention before quickly jumping into the trunk of the car driven by Weiss and Schultz. They carried out this prank on at least eight to ten nights over several weeks, and the police ultimately let them off with a warning.

I was taking pics of the historic log cabin in Ackerman Memorial Park and was reading the sign in front of it. It was there I learned about the “Blue Man”. It’s amazing the things you learn from historical signs.

If you love exploring the Thumb and reading about its unique history be sure to look at my new book Lost In Michigan’s Thumb available on Amazon HERE

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The Old Hotel in Kalkaska

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places, Haunted Places .

The Sieting Hotel, located in downtown Kalkaska, first opened its doors on Thanksgiving Day in 1912. Like many historic buildings, it has a past steeped in tragedy and is rumored to be haunted. It’s believed that the spirit of a man who died in one of the rooms in 1920 still lingers there. Guests and staff have reported hearing strange sounds throughout the old hotel, including moans, voices, and screams. I am not sure about it being haunted, but it is a nifty old historic building that has many storied stories to share if walls could talk.

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Veterans Memorial Park of Northeast Michigan

Posted on by Posted in Memorials .

Veterans Memorial Park of Northeast Michigan, located at 4400 N. Skeel Avenue in Oscoda, MI, stands as a profound tribute to military veterans. Situated on approximately six acres of donated land near the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base, the park was built entirely through generous donations and maintained by dedicated volunteers. Its central feature is the Pentagon Service Monument, mimicking the design of the actual Pentagon in Washington, D.C. This monument is comprised of ten V-shaped wall sections, seven feet by twenty-one feet each, with inner surfaces adorned with laser-engraved Memorial Blocks. These blocks, purchased by families, honor individual veterans with details like names, units, dates of service, and branches.

The park is continually evolving to further honor those who served. Beyond the personalized Memorial Blocks, the outer walls of the Pentagon Service Monument are being enhanced with laser-engraved murals depicting images of different military branches, equipment, and historical conflicts. The first mural, a powerful Vietnam War helicopter scene, was unveiled in 2019, with plans for subsequent murals covering other conflicts like the Iraq/Afghanistan War, Korean War, WWII, and WWI. The park also includes a Circle of Flags and a Visitors Center, with future improvements planned to include additional flagpoles for each military service and laser-engraved memorial benches, further cementing its role as a unique and lasting monument to veterans.

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Lost In Michigan’s Thumb

Posted on by Posted in Uncategorized .

I am thrilled to announce the release of my new book, “Lost In Michigan’s Thumb.” This book invites you to discover the fascinating history and unique places within Michigan’s Thumb region. Having traveled extensively throughout the Thumb, I have compiled a collection of noteworthy locations. From its agricultural communities to its coastal harbor towns, the Thumb offers intriguing stories to explore. Preview or order your copy on Amazon HERE https://amzn.to/4kkkjFz

Thank you all so much for your support. It is the sales of my books that help with expenses for me to travel around Michigan and find these unique locations to share with you.

The Soldier in Riggsville Cemetery

Posted on by Posted in Cemetery .

West of Mullet Lake lies the small town of Riggsville, of which not much remains, though it boasts a beautiful old cemetery. The tombstone of Stephen Williams caught my attention, an American flag standing proudly beside it. He lived from 1841 to 1925 and was a corporal in Company K, 22nd Michigan Infantry. Some soldiers are laid to rest in large national cemeteries with their brothers and sisters, while others rest in small-town cemeteries, but all deserve to be remembered.

P.S Sorry I have been posting infrequently, I have been diligently working on my latest book. You can see my books on my Amazon page HERE

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