Forgotten Places Archives - Page 7 of 25

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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The Old House in Clio

Posted on January 12, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg 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 January 10, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg 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 January 3, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg 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

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places .

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 December 10, 2021 by Mike Sonnenberg 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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