The Michigan Veterans’ Facility (formerly the Michigan Soldiers’ Home) was authorized by Act 152 of the Public Acts of 1885, which provided for the establishment of a home for disabled Michigan veterans. This act resulted from the efforts of Civil War veterans who were members of the Grand Army of the Republic. The buildings served
When I am out and about roaming around Michigan and I see a large old cemetery sometimes I take a trip through it because they usually have a large veterans section. I like to stop and get pics to post on Memorial Day to honor the fallen heroes. In Elmwood Cemetery I came across the
This old grain elevator sits in Port Hope near Lake Huron in the Thumb. I grew up in the city and know very little about grain elevators but they are fascinating to me. They look like some sort of Rube Goldberg device with all the tubes, conveyors and chutes sticking out of them. It seems
I visit many old cemeteries in my travels around Michigan learning about the state’s past. I usually see little American flags flying at some of the markers reminding me of the people who risked their lives defending our freedoms. The cemetery behind the church in Indianville near Burt Lake has several simple wooden crosses and
This concrete block, with a metal eye in the top, sits along the Upper Manistee River. I think it was used by lumberjacks to pull logs from the river for the sawmill. It was part of the town of Deward northwest of Grayling. You can still find several concrete foundations and machinery supports. They are
I am happy to announce that the latest volume of Lost In Michigan is now available on Amazon HERE Like my other books it has stories from all around the Great Lakes State. From the southern border to the tip of the Keweenaw and places in between. I am sure you will enjoy reading it
This stone monument stands next to the old fire station in downtown Ithaca. A historical monument gives some history of the man it memorializes. Henry R. Pattengill began his career as the superintendent of St. Louis schools, and later of Ithaca schools. His experiences in rural Michigan education led him to advocate for its improvement
Living in Saginaw I travel I-75 frequently. Near Birch Run is a sign in honor of John Wayne “Dusty” Marcum. I have seen it for many years but wondered about him. After graduating from Flushing High School in 1991 John Wayne “Dusty” Marcum joined the Navy. and became part of the Navy SEAL’s Naval Special
I love the look of this former church in Ovid with its decorative woodwork and its unique one of a kind steeple. It is also amazing that they moved this church to its current location from a different part of town. It is surprising the facts you can learn from historical markers like the one
The first lighthouse in St. Joseph was erected in 1832 on the shoreline and was the second lighthouse constructed on Lake Michigan. The current lighthouse was built in the early 1900s. It consisted of two lights known as “Range Lights” that sailors would align to ensure that they were entering straight into the channel. I
