I saw this magnificent looking brick building. It’s hard to miss with its arched windows and tower. After taking a pic of it, I noticed the historical marker proudly mounted on the wall. Built in 1884 at a cost of $12,300, this edifice has served continuously as the seat of local government. Marine City was incorporated as the village of Marine in 1865. It became Marine City in 1867. The first village president was David Lester, a prominent shipbuilder. Shipbuilding was the principal industry for about half a century, employing several hundred men. During the era of wooden ships, this city was one of the largest ship building centers in the Great Lakes area, with an output of nearly 250 vessels by 1900. The discovery of salt on Catholic Point in 1882 proved to be another prosperous business with major salt companies springing up as a result of this important find.

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This massive stone structure in the heart of Saginaw is probably the most important building in the Saginaw Valley. It is the Waterworks that purifies water for most of the residents living in the area. Constructed in 1929 the water treatment plant was a marvel of engineering when it was constructed.

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North of downtown Flint near the Flint River is this two-story brick building. It is not ornately decorated with victorian ara trim, nor is it extremely large but it is an important starting point for one of America’s largest companies. It was constructed in 1895 to be used as an office and showroom for the Durant-Dort Carriage Company.  In 1915 the company became the Dort Motor Car Company manufacturing four different models of cars until production ended in 1924. It was Dort’s partner William Durant that went on to consolidate several automobile manufacturers into General Motors.

Over time the building went through a few different ownerships and configurations. It even had a third story floor and flat roof added to it. In the 80s, the Genesee County Historical Society restored the building to its original construction. In 2013 GM purchased the building and designated it a General Motors heritage site.

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This pale yellow building in the historic village of Glen Haven is (or was) the Sleeping Bear Inn. It was constructed in 1857 and used as a boarding house for local dock workers and Lumberjacks. The town was a popular spot for passing steamers to get firewood to fuel the boilers. In the late 1800s, as tourism to the area increased, it changed over to become a resort hotel for people looking to take in the beauty of the dunes. By the 1970s the building and town had declined and closed. The inn along with the rest of the town is now part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

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This unique looking structure sits along the shores of Lake Huron. It has a strange look because it is made of concrete blocks. It is next to the Besser Natureal Area that is located between Alpena and Rogers City. Jesse Besser created a machine that made blocks from concrete for use in the construction of homes and buildings. I was not able to find any information on the lodge but someone told me  The Besser Company built this building as a retreat. Jesse Besser donated the land next to the lodge in the 1960s to create the Besser Natural area. The building is still privately owned and still being used but you can see it from the hiking trail that runs along the shoreline.

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This blockhouse stands on a hill along a scenic drive through Muskegon State Park. It was built in 1962 replacing one built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. The original blockhouse built using timbers from an old sailing ship burned down in a fire set by local youths. As part of their punishment after being convicted of arson they were required to help in the construction of the new blockhouse. If you are ever taking a drive through Muskegon State Park be sure to stop and see the new old blockhouse.

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