In DeTour Village, a fascinating piece of maritime history sits just off the shoreline of the St. Mary’s River. Between two private houses, a large, rusting paddle wheel rises out of the water, an intriguing relic whose origins are a mystery. Next to the paddle wheel are the remains of the Sainte Marie, a wooden
Not far off the Triple A road past the Eagle Mine out in the middle of the woods are the ruins of a log structure. It about a 20 mile drive from Big Bay and is in the middle of nowhere. It shows up on Google maps as Nels Anderson’s Barn. I tried to find
This old building, or at least what remains of it stands in the small southern Michigan town of Jerome. It looks as if nature is trying to pull it down with vines and shrubs growing all around it. It looks so much different in the winter time. You can see my photo of it without
The old Yukon Inn sits quietly in the Upper Peninsula town of Paradise. Travelers pass by it on their way to the falls or the lighthouse at the tip of Whitefish Point. I’m not sure when it closed, but it has been a long time. The log cabin exterior makes it look like it was
Located just west of downtown Douglas, at the corner of Ferry and Center Street, stands an enormous wooden barrel. This local icon, a favorite spot for summer treats, was almost lost to history. Built in 1952, the barrel was originally a root beer stand designed to attract beachgoers. Over the years, it changed hands and
Just outside of Baraga, at the base of the Keweenaw Peninsula, is the small town of Pelkie. Here you’ll find a one-room schoolhouse, originally built in 1909, that has since been converted into a museum. It’s a classic example of a rural schoolhouse and is open to visitors on Sundays during the summer. On the
On December 3, 1896, Climax, Michigan was chosen as the location for one of the first experimental rural mail delivery routes in the United States. This service allowed rural residents, who previously had to travel long distances to a post office, to receive mail directly at their homes. The monument stands as a testament to
The Dowagiac train depot, which was built in 1903, stands as a notable landmark in downtown Dowagiac. The original depot on this site holds historical significance as it welcomed the very first Orphan Train to arrive in Michigan. This was part of a larger, controversial social experiment that lasted from the 1850s to 1929. The
In Bridgeport, Michigan, a classic piece of Americana stands as a reminder of a bygone era. Just south of Saginaw, near where the Cass River winds through town and by the old footbridge, is a beautifully restored service station. This little brick building, once the Bridgeport Oil and Gas Co., got its start in 1937,
The Oden Fish Hatchery is situated to the north of Petoskey, close to Alanson. Established in 1921, the hatchery focuses on raising brown trout and rainbow trout for stocking in both inland lakes and streams, as well as the Great Lakes. The facility also keeps broodstock—mature fish designated for breeding—which produce millions of eggs each
