Forgotten Places Archives - Page 2 of 22

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.

Casa Blanca Hotel

Posted on February 3, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places .

This dilapidated old building was the Casa Blanca Hotel in the resort community of Idlewild. In its heyday it was a grand old hotel and people would travel for miles to stay overnight. Idlewild was a thriving resort community for African Americans after the war. Over time the town popularity dwindled and few people live there now. You can see more photos and info about the hotel on my previous 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 Quincy Mine Ruins

Posted on January 20, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, upper peninsula .

Just outside of Hancock in the Keweenaw Peninsula is the old Quincy Mine. It’s not hard to miss the massive lift tower that can be seen from Houghton. These old coble stone ruins sit on the property along with a few other decaying buildings. One of these days I am gonna take the tour and see more of it. The few time I have been in the area it was out of season and they did not have tours available and I was short on time. I wish the western side of the U.P. was not so far away from my hometown.

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 Office in Onaway

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

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.

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

« Previous Page