It’s amazing the stories I find just by wondering about a couple of old buildings. I saw these two derelict structures that look like old general stores southwest of Alpena. Along with a few houses and a church they are what remains of the town of Herron. It was founded by Fred Herron in 1920 and given a post office named after him. Like most little towns I figured that was all I would find abut its history until I saw a snippet about a mine explosion.

On October 30th, 1952 five men were killed when a mine near Herron exploded. Six men were searching the long-abandoned gold mine for uranium. According to the only survivor John Pastuszka, two of the men went down the 180-foot deep shaft to check on water pumps being used to drain the shaft. The other three men were standing around the opening to the shaft when it suddenly exploded. Pastuszka was spared because he was standing next to a tool shed when the explosion occurred. It is believed methane gas and a spark from the pumps was the cause of the violent blast.

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When I say the name Hollywood most people think of the giant sign on the side of the mountain in California. But did you know there was a town called Hollywood in Michigan? The town was a few miles south of St Joeseph and given a post office in 1888. I could not find out how the name was chosen or it’s origins but the post office closed in 1902. I saw this old house not far from where the town once was. I am not sure if it was standing in the time that Hollywood was in existence in Michigan. I think everything from the town is gone. Today a school and some newer houses are in the area where the town once stood.

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Over the years Michigan has seen several booms and busts from lumber to manufacturing. Many places have been abandoned, from factories to whole towns. Some of these locations in the Mitten State can still be seen and visited. They may have been abandoned for their original purpose they are still maintained by state and local parks or by historic groups.

Here is a list of interesting and abandoned locations that you can visit. Some have more artifacts and buildings than others but all are something worth visiting and a fun way to learn about Michigan’s history. A couple of locations are in parks that require a small fee or a state Recreation Passport on your license plate to enter the park. A few locations are on property owned by an organization that has been kind enough to allow visitors.

Remember they may be abandoned for their original purpose but they are still maintained and cared for. If you visit please be respectful and obey any posted signs or fences so that they remain open to the public. 

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Now on with the list (please note a couple of places were close together so I used the same number.)

1 Central Mine Ghost Town

2 Powerhouse Falls

3 Ardis Furnace

4 Sand Point Life Saving Station

5 Bay Furnace Ruins

6-A Fayette Historic Town

6-B Peninsula Lighthouse Ruins

7 Vermillion Point Life Saving Station

8 Fiborn Quarry

9 Camp Raco

10 Cheboygan Lighthouse Ruins

11 Bell Ghost Town

12-A Frankfort Ironworks

12-B Aligator Hill Kilns

13 Groen Nature Center Sawmill Town

14 Durant Castle Ruins

15 Hamlin Ghost town Cemetery

16 Lake rail-trail coal tower

17 Grousehaven Celler

18 Port Crescent

19 Lincoln Brick Factory

20 Peninsular Paper Powerhouse

21 Dyer Kiln ruins

22 Fort Wayne Detroit

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When most people hear the words “ghost town” they usually envision an old deserted wild west town in the American southwestern desert. While many of the towns sprang up around mines for silver and gold, Michigan had several towns that were built around a sawmill. Michiganders were not mining for gold but they were earning it by cutting timber and selling lumber. The remains of one of the few remaining sawmill towns can be found within the Louis M. Groen Nature Preserve near Johannesburg.

The remains of the Johannesburg manufacturing Co. are deep within the preserve.  The buildings have collapsed under the Michigan snow but the framework of the old well pump is still standing. Rusty old trucks and equipment rest silently along the road that once leads to the town. If you are looking for something a little different to explore this summer be sure to check it out.

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