autumn Archives - Lost In Michigan

The Hoaston House

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in autumn, Houses, upper peninsula .

Thomas H. Hoatson was the vice president of the Calumet and Arizona Mining Company that had successful mining operations in Arizona. He grew up the son of a miner in the Keweenaw and chose to live there with his family. In 1907, he built this magnificent house in Laurium as a surprise for his wife and children. It is one of the largest houses built in the Upper Peninsula with 45 rooms. His family lived in the house until his death in 1927 and then it changed owners a few times until it was turned into a funeral home in the 1940s. In 1979 the owner of the funeral home Maynerd Hurlbut Killed his wife and grandson before killing himself. The home sat vacant for several years but was restored in the 1990s and converted into a bed and breakfast called the Laurium Manor.

FYI Volumes 1, 4 and 5 are part of Amazon’s buy 3 for the price of 2 sales special, you can see them HERE or a list of items included in the sale HERE

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

Ken-Tuck-U-Inn

Posted on December 10, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in autumn, Historic Places .

Nestled in the woods off M-22 in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a light yellow house. It was built by Bertie and Donna Bancroft in the late 1920s as a boarding house for travelers visiting the area. On Sundays, the inn was a popular destination for tourists to enjoy one of Donna’s chicken dinners. During the peak season in summer, she would serve over 100 tourists using the chickens she raised at the inn. Bertie lived in this house until his death in 1963. Donna died the following year.

If you have not picked up a copy of Lost In Michigan Volume 4 they are ON SALE at Amazon HERE I don’t have any control over Amazon so I am not sure how long they will be on sale.

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

An Old House with a New Roof

Posted on December 2, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in autumn, Houses .

I saw this old house somewhere near the base of the Leelanau Peninsula near the town of honor. It looks as if it has been a while since someone has lived in it. It looks as though it is being cared for since it has a new roof. I am sure at one time when it was new and housed a hard working family. If walls could talk.

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

Contacting the Dead in Grand Ledge

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in autumn, Parks .

this old wooden barn-like structure sits near the back of Fitzgerald Park in Grand Ledge. It was built by the Grand Ledge Spiritualist Camp Association who built a summer camp at this spot in the late 1800s. Spiritualism was a popular movement in the late 1800s where people believed they could communicate with the deceased. This pavilion was built for the group to hold seances. The popularity of Spiritualism faded in the early 1900s and the city of Grand Ledge purchased the property. In the 50s the pavilion was converted into a summer theater.

Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend on Amazon HERE

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

The Church in Arcadia

Posted on November 29, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in autumn, Churches .

This historic white church stands in the western Michigan town of Arcadia. The historic town is south of Frankfort and was originally named Starkeville after Henry Starke. The post office changed the name of the town to Arcadia which is the name of the township that it is in.

This beautiful historic church stands near the center of town. A Michigan historical marker gives a little bit of history and reads:

In 1880 many Germans left Milwaukee and settled in Manistee County. Among them was lumberman Henry Starke, who vowed to return to Wisconsin if no Lutheran church could be found. Instead, he helped to organize this congregation in 1881, and he platted Arcadia the same year. In 1887 Starke donated land and money for this Neo-Gothic church, completed in 1888. The complex grew to include a parsonage, a school, and a teacherage.

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

Thankful

Posted on November 26, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in autumn .

It has been a strange and challenging year and I am sure you don’t need me to remind you of that. I wanted to say thank you for taking the time to read my posts. I am thankful to have so many wonderful people who enjoy what I do. I wish we could get together and I could do more in-person presentations, but I am fortunate that we can visit on the internet.

I hope you have a great day and are blessed for the good things in your life.

Safe Travels and enjoy the journey,

Mike Sonnenberg

Lost In Shepardsville

Posted on November 24, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in autumn, Houses, Schools .

I saw this old building, house, or maybe an old school while I was out roaming the roads near Shepardsville. I don’t know what this place used to be but I thought it looked nice hugged by the colorful autumn trees.

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

Michigan’s Log Cabin Church

Posted on November 22, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in autumn, Churches .

The small town of Bitely is in the Manistee National Forest somewhere between White Cloud and Baldwin. This beautiful log cabin church stands near the heart of town. I am not sure how many log cabin churches are in Michigan or even the United States but I like this one in Bitely.

Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend on Amazon HERE

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

The Old Hospital in Lapeer

Posted on November 19, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in autumn, Houses .

In 1873 Peter Van Dyke built this Beautiful second empire-style home in Lapeer. In 1924 the grand old house was converted into a nine bedroom hospital with surgeries taking place on the upper floor. Back in the day, it was common for large houses to be used as a hospital. Doctors did not have the array of sophisticated equipment that is available today. By 1953 the old house was no longer practical as a hospital and was converted into apartments and remains as an apartment complex today.

Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend on Amazon HERE

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.

An Octagon Barn

Posted on November 18, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in autumn, Barns and Farms .

Somewhere between Ovid and Elsie I came upon this massive octagon barn. I am not exactly sure of the purpose of an octagon-shaped barn. The most well-known one in Michigan is in Gagetown. In the late 1800s, octagon-shaped houses were popular and I guess a few barns were built in that configuration also. I was told they were popular in the great plains states because the shape could withstand the strong winds better. I am not sure the story or history of this particular barn but it is a beautiful looking barn.

Lost In Michigan books are ON SALE this weekend on Amazon HERE

Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.