Walking around downtown Ann Arbor, from a distance, I saw the tower on this building which I thought was an old church, but then as I got closer I noticed the doors on the front and then realized it was an old fire station.  It is now the the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum but above the doors carved into the stonework, it reads “Engine House 1882”. it’s easy to imagine the horses coming out of those doors pulling a steam pumper galloping down the Ann Arbor streets off to fight a fire. The bell tower was used to summon volunteer fireman to the fire station to fight a fire. The fire department moved out of the old firehouse in the 1970s.

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Although it is in the middle of the lower peninsula about 30 miles from Lansing it sure felt like the middle of nowhere to me. Located somewhere between Potterville and Vermontville the Gresham United Methodist Church has unique looking steeple and stands quietly surrounded by miles of farmland. The historical marker gives a little bit of history and reads:

Members of the Gresham United Methodist Church first worshipped in a school and in homes. In 1879, Palmer and Rebecca McDonald gave this site on which to build a church. In order to erect the church, people in the community donated logs which were cut at Dade Merriam’s sawmill. The building’s pointed arch windows and steeply pitched roof exemplify the prevalence of Gothic Revival elements in rural church architecture. The church was completed in 1881.

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I guess summer has officially started here in Michigan but with the current state of things I have not left my immediate neighborhood in a few months. I have underlying health conditions and it would not be a good idea to put myself or others at risk. I hoping I will be able to travel some this summer and most likely to places up north away from lots of people. I still have a lot of photos in my archive to share but I hope to get out and explore new places.

I don’t know what the next few months will be like but I hope to as time goes on things will get better. It may be a little while until I get back up north but I am sure the sun is rising over Lake Huron and setting over Lake Michigan. The water is still flowing down the rivers in the Upper Peninsula. This is a pic of the Lower Silver Falls near L’Anse, I wish I was there now but I will be back.

P.S. I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my cemetery pics last week in honor of Memorial Day. I am looking forward to sharing some other places with you this summer.

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Michigan has some beautiful Queen Anne Victorian-style houses and the Heather House is one of the finest in the state. Located in Marine City on Main Street it looks out at the St. Clare River watching the enormous steel freighters passing by.  Construction of the home was finished in 1885 by retired ship’s captain William Sauber who emigrated to Marine City from Germany. He worked in the shipyards and became general manager of the Marine Sugar Co., but I can imagine him sitting on the front porch watching the old wooden steamers going by and longing for the days sailing on the Great Lakes. You can find out more about the grand old house on their website HERE

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St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church was established in 1889 by Slovenian immigrants who came to the area to work in the mines of the Copper Country. The wood frame church in Calumet erected by the parish in 1890 was destroyed by fire in 1902. The following year this elegant Romanesque church, designed by Erhard Brielmater of Milwaukee, was begun. It was completed at a cost of $100,000 in 1908. Built of locally-quarried Jacobsville sandstone, the structure displays Cathedral-type stained glass windows from the Ford Brothers Glass Studio of Minneapolis. Its interior features a beautifully painted sixty-five foot nave. In 1966 four parishes consolidated, making this building their church and changing its name to St. Paul the Apostle.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there who work so hard to protect and care for their children no matter how old they are. (the kids, not the moms)  In case you missed it be sure to check out my post on the history of Mother’s Day and how Albion Michigan was one of the inspirations for it. you can see my post HERE

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I was traveling through Bad Axe, and I saw this old mansion boarded up. I thought there has to be some history, or something significant about the house. Thanks to my followers on facebook, after I posted a pic, they told me that it was former Michigan governor Albert Sleeper’s Mansion. It was turned into a funeral home that was now closed. Sadly the house sits abandoned and forgotten about. It was a magnificent home, and I think that is what got my attention to photograph it. I hope someone will step up to restore it.  The interesting thing is what I learned about Governor Sleeper in 1917, Governor Sleeper created the Michigan State Troops Permanent Force which became the Michigan State Police.  Governor Sleeper also signed the State Parks Act creating the State Park system In 1919. Huron State Park in Caseville, was renamed Albert E. Sleeper State Park in his honor.

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A few days ago, I asked Where Am I? ( I should have said where was I since I am not traveling right now) I posted this photo of an American flag.  Before I get to the answer just a reminder I have lost In Michigan books available on my website HERE or on Amazon HERE

Some of you may have noticed the pattern of stars looks a little different. That should have been the clue for the location of the flag which is at Fort Wilkens in the tip of the Keweenaw.  You can find out more about the flag and fort on my post HERE

Congratulations to Art Brabbs he was the winner of the t-shirt chosen at random from the correct answers. Please email me the design color and size along with your shipping info to mike@huronphoto.com

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I imagine there must have been a lot of college students who travelled through this old train depot in Ann Arbor. The historical marker for it reads:

Built in 1886, and conceived by Frederick Spier, the design of this granite block building was influenced by the great American architect Henry Hobson Richardson. The massive two-foot thick walls are balanced by simple precise detailing. Carefully preserved, this depot is a symbol of the elegance and vitality of nineteenth century rail transportation.

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Michigans Upper Peninsula has many spectacular waterfalls but for trolls who live downstate, it is a long trip to see them. This is my list of waterfalls in the Lower Peninsula. Before you get upset with me, I know many of them are not true waterfalls and are man-made. I do enjoy visiting them and they still have the relaxing quality of falling water the make the list. They are also good places to practice your photography for when you do make it up to the U.P.

1 Ocqueoc Falls is located near Onaway and is the largest waterfall in the Lower Peninsula. It is a state scenic site and you will need a recreation passport or purchase a day pass to visit it. you can see my post about it HERE

2 Irontone Springs north of Gaylord is a roadside park on old 27. They are more like rapids and really small but it is easy to get to and a nice place to stop especially if you are passing by it anyway. You can see my post about it HERE

3 Seven Bridges Recreation Area near Kalkaska has several little streams with waterfalls in an idyllic setting. It is the perfect place to explore for a few hours to find some peace and quiet. You can see my post HERE

4 Iargo Springs near Lumberman’s Monument is a mystical place along the Ausable River. A large set of stairs that take a while to climb is required to reach the spring but it is worth the effort. The falls are made with a set of logs near the spring. they are only about two feet tall but it is a beautiful place to visit. You can see my post HERE

5 Fishtown in the Leelanau Peninsula has a dam right in the historic tourist town. The water cascades over it making for a spectacular photo with historic buildings on either side.  You can see my post HERE

6 Ludington State Park Dam Yeah I know it’s a dam and not a waterfall but it usually has water flowing over it and besides it is in one of Michigan’s most popular state parks.

7 Dow Gardens in Midland has a little man made waterfall. There is an admission fee to the gardens but there is a lot of beautiful flowers and landscaping to see and practice your photography.

8 Cass River Rock Dam in Frankenmuth is more like rapids but it is picturesque with the old grianery next to the river. Plus, it is in Frankenmuth, one of Michigan’s most popular tourist towns with lots of stuff to see and places to eat. You can see more HERE

9 Rockford Dam is only a few blocks from downtown Rockford. It has a nice park on either side and there are plenty of places to shop and dine nearby.

10 Stepping Stone Falls Northeast of Flint a Genesee County park overlooks part of a dame with columns for water from the Flint River to cascade over. You can see more HERE

11 Peninsular Dam is located on the Huron River in Ypsilanti. The dam once powered a paper mill but the property is now a public park with an old abandoned building next to the dam.

12 Slayton Arboretum is part of Hillsdale College in Hillsdale. They have a beautiful man made waterfall that visitors can enjoy.

I know many of these places are not natural waterfalls but they are places I have enjoyed visiting. If you love exploring Michigan I think you will enjoy them also. If there is somewhere in the Lower Peninsula that I should add to the list let me know in the comments below.

P.S. Many of the locations on the list are featured in the Lost In Michigan book series. You can order from Amazon HERE

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