Category Archives: Forgotten Places

The Office in Onaway

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This unique looking building sits in the northern Michigan town of Onaway. It was the Lobdell-Emery Wooden Steering Wheel Factory Administration Building. Tragically, the factory burned down in the 1920s and was moved to Alma. You can read about the factory in my post HERE. After the steering wheel factory moved the building was used as a Masonic Lodge. The historical society owns it now and is trying to restore it.

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The Old House in Clio

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places, Houses .

I saw this old house in Clio a few years ago. I was intrigued by the shutters on the windows. I think it is gone now but I bet it could tell some stories of walls could talk.

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The Stone and Wood Farmhouse

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places, Houses .

I saw this old wood and stone house near the ghost town of McClure. I bet it was a beautiful house when it was constructed and I love the fieldsne walls. I bet if they could talk I can only imagine the stories they would tell.

If you missed my post about the town of McClure you can check it out HERE

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The Desolate Church

Posted on by Posted in Churches, Forgotten Places .

I saw this old abandoned church standing around the empty farm fields. It’s south of Union City and unfortunately, I don’t know any its history. On the stone above the door, it shows 1878. The grass is mowed around the old church so someone is taking care of it in its remaining years, but it looks as if it has been a while since a service was held inside.  Strangely I looked on the map and there isn’t a name of a town nearby either. I thought that was strange for a large brick church, but I guess the town was not large enough for a name and the church was left all alone.

 

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Woodland Park

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African American investors Wilber Lemon, A.E. Wright, Marion, and Ella Author from Chicago and Cleveland purchased land from Bookings Lumber Company along the shoreline of Woodland Lake in the 1920s. They created a resort community for African Americans between White Cloud and Baldwin. I saw this old two-story building when I passed through the area. I wonder if it was an old boarding house from the lumber company or maybe a hotel during the days when the resort community was in its prime.

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A Mystery at Wilderness State Park

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places, State Parks .

Waugoshance Point sits out at the far western end of Wilderness State Park at the tip of the mitten. The mysterious metal framework sits on the point. I have seen where some people refer to it as a glider frame. After looking at it I am not convinced that is what it is. I did not have a magnet with me but I am sure it is made out of thin wall steel tubing. It is about 5 feet tall, 10 feet long and about 3 feet wide. The tubing at the back has been cut off so it may have been a lot longer at one time.  The fact that it is steel makes me think that it was not used for anything aeronautical since it would be rather heavy. It does look like it may have been used by the military since it seems rather complicated in design. Some people have said it looks like an old dune buggy frame but that does not look right to me either.

During WWII the military did a lot of drone testing in northern Lake Michigan and used the old Waugoshance Lighthouse for a target. I am thinking that this may be some sort of launching framework for a drone but I am still not sure about that. I looked all over it for a serial number or some sort of markings but I could not find anything. I have been trying to get out to see this thing for several years but with the water levels of Lake Michigan being high it was surrounded by water. I finally made it out to Waugoshance Point this fall. If you know what this thing is or was please post a comment below.

For more about the Waugoshance Lighthouse and the drone program, I hope you will take a look at my book Light From The Birdcage HERE

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The Tar Paper Tower

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places .

I saw this old building in the small town of Lincoln west of Harrisville. It is rather intriguing with the tall tower covered in tar paper. I am not sure what it was originally used for. It looks like it was a grain elevator or maybe something for the railroad years ago but I am not sure. Anyways, I thought it looked rather interesting and I stopped to take a pic of it.

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Michigamme’s Old Building

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places, upper peninsula .

This old building stands along the main drag in Michigamme. The town is west of Marquette sits between US-41/M-28 and Lake Michigamme. I can only assume it was a general store at one time but sits empty now. The town of Michigamme was founded around a mine discovered by Jacob Houghton. Mining operations ended in the early 1900s and the population of the town dwindled. It is more of a resort town now being situated on the shores of Lake Michigamme. It is an interesting place with shops, restaurants, and a lot of history. It is easy to miss when you are traveling along US-41 but a nice town to stop and explore.

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Gay Old Mill

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places, upper peninsula .

The town of Gay is located along the east side of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Its most well-known landmark is the Gay Bar, but a little ways down the road is a tall chimney.  It was part of the old Mohawk and Wolverine Stamp Mill. Rail cars full of ore would come into the mill and dump the ore where it would be pulverized and the copper extracted. The remaining sand would be conveyed out to the Lake Superior shoreline. The mill operated from 1900 to 1932 and produced 22 million metric tons of sand. Over the decades the sand has eroded into Lake Superior affecting the spawning of trout and salmon. The state and EPA are working on relocating the sand and controlling the erosion.

When I was there taking photos a lady was placing a sign for the museum and invited me to come to see it.  Near the chimney is an old two-story building that served as a school for many years. It has now been turned into a museum and there I learned a lot about the old stamp mill and the town of Gay.  It was the first time I have ever been along the east side of the Keweenaw. I mostly travel up the west side to see Eagle Habor and Brockway Mountain. If you are ever in the Keweenaw be sure to take a trip along the east side. The road that travels along the lake is a beautiful drive and you can stop in the town of Gay and learn some history or get a drink at the Gay Bar.

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The Ruins of the Ford Family Lodge

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places, Houses .

Deep within the Highland State Recreation Area west of Pontiac are the ruins of an elaborate lodge. It once belonged to Edsel Ford and was named Haven Hill. The massive lodge was constructed in 1923 and used as a retreat by the Ford family.

After Edsel’s death in 1943, his wife Eleanor sold the estate to the state of Michigan to be used as a state park. Tragically the massive lodge was destroyed by a fire in the 1980s

Some of the foundations, stonework, and part of a stone chimney are what remains of the once glorious lodge. Circular stone markers are placed to note where the different rooms were once located. It is a fascinating site to walk around imagine what once was.

If you visit it is about a half-mile hike uphill most of the way so if you are old and slow like me, just plan on taking some time to make the climb.

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