Forgotten Places Archives - Lost In Michigan

The Ruins Along US-12

Posted on May 14, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places .

I saw these old stone ruins along US-12 in the Irish Hills area. They look like something from the Flintstones, but I think they were part of an old miniature golf course. It’s always an interesting drive down US-12. I have never driven route 66 in the American Southwest to see the abandoned places but that is what I think of when I drive down US-12. Back in it’s heyday it was a popular route for travelers. Some of the old “tourist traps” remain but many or sitting abandoned.

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

Ontonagon Poor Farm

A few miles east of Ontonagon is a massive old building covered up by trees and bushes. The dilapidated structure was part of the Ontonagon County Poor Farm. The county’s first poor farm was constructed in 1855 to help take care of lumberjacks and people in need of assistance. The building that stands today was built in 1900 on a 200 acre farm. The people who lived there and were able to work grew crops and raised livestock until the facility closed in the 1945. The old building now sits on a privately owned cattle farm.

I found an old photo of it. Sad that the trees are now covering it up. It was a beautiful building back in the day.

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

Jackson Mine

Posted on May 4, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, upper peninsula .

In the old town section of Negaunee is a large hole covered with old iron fencing. This opening in the side of a cliff was part of the Jackson Mine. The mine was the first iron ore mine in the Lake Superior region. In 1844 surveyor William Burt noticed some strange fluctuations on his compass and upon further investigations he noticed iron ore deposits. Soon afterwards the first mine was dug.

The mine was closed in the 1950s and is now a historic site. In 2003 the area was converted into a park by the city of Negaunee and has mining artifacts on display. The area of the mine is known as Old Town Negaunee and has foundations and stairs from the houses and buildings that once stood on the land. You can read more about it on my post 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 Leprechaun Line

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, Train Depots .

A few yards off the road north of Reed City is a rusting old railroad bridge. It looks different than your ordinary bridge since it is a lot smaller with narrow tracks. On the side in faded white paint lettering are the words, Leprechaun Line. This was part of a miniature railroad that local businessman Jim Miller built. He owned a successful manufacturing company in Reed City that built storefronts. In the 1960s he built a small railroad on his property surrounding his home and gave rides to local children. The little railroad ran for a few decades but all that remains now is the old bridge and memories.

Miller also built the abandoned airport that stands nearby, you can see my post about it 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 Copper Harbor Chimney

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, upper peninsula .

This old chimney stands in the woods east of Copper Harbor and Lake Fanny Hooe. The old smokestack is all that remains of the Clark Mine. It was first dug in 1853 and operated by a few different companies until it closed in 1901. All that remains is this old chimney and an area covered in rocks and stone. It is a popular spot for rock hunters and not to difficult to find. If you take Manganese Road next to the Copper Harbor visitors center east it will curve into Clark Mine Rd. About a mile down the road you will see a wooden sign for the old mine.

Lost In Michigan Books are ON SALE at Amazon. You can see more by clicking 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 School In the Forest

Posted on April 11, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, Schools .

Hidden among the trees is this old forgotten school. It is in the town of Forester on the shoreline of Lake Huron in the Thumb. Forester’s most well-known resident is Minnie Quay who committed suicide after she found out her lover’s ship sank while sailing the Great Lakes. You can read more about her HERE

I have driven through the town of Forester many times since M-25 passes through it. I never noticed this school before because it is covered by the foliage during the summer months. It is a rather spooky looking school, And I am sure it was a school because of the rusty old playground equipment next to it. I am thinking Minnie never attended this school since it looks as if it was built after she died.

Note: I took this pic from the road and do not trespass. It may not be used anymore, but someone still owns it.

Lost In Michigan Books are ON SALE at Amazon. You can see more by clicking HERE

Thank you for subscribing to Lost In Michigan, If you haven’t already it would mean a lot to me if you Subscribe

A Watertown Service Station

Posted on April 2, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, Thumb .

I saw this old service station in Watertown in the middle of the Thumb. I am not sure if it is an old Sinclair station or made to look like one but either way I like it.

Lost In Michigan Books are ON SALE at Amazon. You can see more by clicking 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.

Peninsular Powerhouse

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places .

This abandoned shell of a building sits along the Huron River in Peninsular Park in Ypsilanti. It is not hard to figure out what it was used for since there is an enormous sign on top of the roof that reads: PENINSULAR PAPER CO. This was the old powerhouse at the end of the dam. The paper mill closed a long time ago but the dam still remains.

Lost In Michigan Books are ON SALE at Amazon. You can see more by clicking 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 House near the Pigeon River

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, Houses .

I saw this old house, or hotel, or saloon, or whatever it used to be, near the Pigeon River between the towns of Wolverine and Afton. It looks as if it has had a hard life living among the trees enduring the harsh Michigan weather. It’s just barely standing, but it has not totally given up yet. I am sure a long time ago, there was a lot of pride when it was first built, but from the looks of it, that was several years ago.

Lost In Michigan Books are ON SALE at Amazon. You can see more by clicking 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 Stone Home in the Heart of Michigan

Posted on February 9, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, Houses .

This old stone house sits near downtown Alma. It has a long and interesting history. It was built in 1888 by lumber baron Ammi Wright. After his death the Wright family sold the house to become Smith Memorial Hospital in 1934 and then Northwood Institute in 1959. Another interesting fact about Ammi Wright is that he donated the land and money to start Alma College. It is sad to see this historic house sitting forgotten and slowly decaying.

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