Category Archives: Houses

Big Old Farmhouse

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places, Houses .

I saw this big old farmhouse on the backroads somewhere southwest of Cadillac. Don’t ask me where it is because I could not tell you. I was zig-zagging around the area and I have no idea of exactly where this house is. It looks like it has been a while since someone lived in it, but somebody is cutting the grass so it is being cared for. If walls could talk.

Note: I only take photos from the road and do not trespass.

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The Old Hospital in Lapeer

Posted on by Posted in autumn, Houses .

In 1873 Peter Van Dyke built this Beautiful second empire-style home in Lapeer. In 1924 the grand old house was converted into a nine bedroom hospital with surgeries taking place on the upper floor. Back in the day, it was common for large houses to be used as a hospital. Doctors did not have the array of sophisticated equipment that is available today. By 1953 the old house was no longer practical as a hospital and was converted into apartments and remains as an apartment complex today.

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Ransom B. Moore House

Posted on by Posted in autumn, Houses .

This beautiful victorian era “painted lady” stands on a hill in Romeo. It was built by Ransom B. Moore in 1871. At the time it was constructed, it was the most expensive house in Romeo.

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Pioneer House

Posted on by Posted in Historic Places, Houses .

I came across the little town of Marilla about 10 miles south of Copemesh. The old school now serves as a township office and museum. Behind it are a couple of historic homes including the Pioneer House. The house was built by Aaron Pepple in the 1870s. It kept his family safe and warm from the harsh Michigan weather and was even used as a stagecoach stop.

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Boekelodge in Autumn

Posted on by Posted in autumn, Houses .

The Boekelodge is in the southern part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The cabin was originally built in the 1930’s and then left abandoned after a few years. In 1945, the cabin was purchased by the Boekeloo family and updated. A canal was dug from the Platte River to flood the low-lying areas for a cranberry bog. The cabin overlooks a pond and is now owned by the National Park Service. A seasonal road off M-22 leads back to the cabin where you can hike the area including a trail that goes to Lake Michigan. It’s a lesser-known part of the National Lakeshore, and you have to know where to find Boekeloo Road, since there is no sign along M-22 telling visitors there is a lodge hidden in the woods. You can find more info and a detailed location of the Boekelodge and many other interesting locations in  Lost In Michigan Volume 3 available on Amazon HERE

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Dewey’s House

Posted on by Posted in Houses .

This beautiful average looking wooden two-story house, in a quiet neighborhood of Owosso, is where Thomas Dewey was raised. Most people probably would have never remembered the name Dewey if it was not for the Chicago Daily Tribune boldly printing the headline DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.

Thomas Dewey who was born in 1902 and raised in Owosso graduated from law school and went on to prosocute many netorious mobsters in New York. He was eventually elected as govoner of New York. In 1948 Dewey ran aginst Harry S. Truman and was ahead in the poles by a wide margin when the polls opend on election day in November. The Chicago Daily Tribune had to go to print earlier than they would have liked do to a printer strike. They dicided to pring that Dewey had won the election before the election results were final. The now famous photo of Truman holding the newspaper is what most people remember of Dewey and a reminder that elections are not over until every vote has been counted.

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Secrets of the Octagon House in Dansville

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Places, Historic Places, Houses .

This oddly shaped two-story octagon house stands near downtown Dansville. The small town is on M-36 about 25 miles southeast of Lansing. The historic octagon house was built in 1863 by Doctor. D.J. Watson.  Rumors have claimed the house was used on the Underground Railroad. Legend has it, escaping slaves would hide in the basement while lookouts stood watch in the cupola. There was a tube that ran down the cent of the house for the lookouts to alert the slaves. If they needed to escape supposedly a tunnel leading out the back of the house to a wooded area whey they could leave undetected.  None of the rumors have been proven to be true. A tube did run from the cupola to the basement but it was used for ventilation. It was also believed a tunnel was in the basement, but that had lead to a garage that is gone now.

Rumors are also circulating that the house is haunted by the spirits of runaway slaves that may have died in the house. But they are probably just imaginative ghost stories to go along with the Underground Railroad theories.  Whether or not the house was used on the Underground Railroad, it is a unique house that has stood since the time of the Civil War. It is one of only a few Octagon Houses standing in Michigan.

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Sue Silman House

Posted on by Posted in Historic Places, Houses .

This brick three-story house sits along the St Joeseph river in Three Rivers Michigan. It was built by Arthur Silman. He had a blacksmith shop on the first floor and his family lived above on the upper floors. In 1903 he deeded the home to his daughter, Sue  Silliman. She was a librarian and state historian for the Michigan Daughters of the American Revolution. She donated the house to the city of Three Rivers just before her death in 1945. It is used today as a museum.

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The Davenport House

Posted on by Posted in Houses .

If you have ever driven through Saline along US-12 you have probably seen this big Victorian house not far from downtown Saline.  The historical marker next to it reads:

This handsome two-and-a-half story residence, constructed in 1875, was the home of William H. Davenport (1826 – 1909), a prominent Saline citizen. In 1851, Davenport entered into a partnership with H. J. Miller in a general store. He bought out Miller’s interest in 1853 and became a leading city merchant. Later, Davenport started a private bank in 1885. Since 1902 this bank has been known as the Citizens’ Bank of Saline. Well-known Detroit architect William Scott designed Davenport’s elegant Second Empire home, built at a cost of $8,500.

They don’t build houses like this anymore.

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The Three Oaks House

Posted on by Posted in Houses .

I saw this old house not far from the town of Three Oaks. I don’t know any history about, it but I love the ornate tower protruding from the roof. While trying to find some info I see that the old house was used as the set for an independent short film called The House On Oak Street. You can see it on Youtube Here.

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