In the late 1880s, George Hart cleared the land north of Manistee where Orchard Beach State Park now stands and planted an apple orchard, which gave the park its name. The orchard sat on a high bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. By 1892 Hart had built a boardwalk and theater to attract more tourists. With its
Located in the woods are two markers where Michigan got its start about two centuries ago. They mark the states Meridian, (north and south line) and the Baseline, (east and west line). All of the townships and counties in Michigan’s two peninsulas are surveyed from these two points. The markers are located in Meridian Baseline
A lot of people ask for places to visit in the Upper Peninsula. I put together a list of places and things I think are interesting. I know this is not a complete list of everything you can see or do in the U.P. but these are places I have been to and enjoyed visiting.
This old caboose sits forgotten and decaying near the entrance to Ludington State Park. I passed by it frequently when camping at the park and I often wonder what its story is. With its faded yellow paint almost gone and bare wood showing it looks as if it has been sitting there for a long
This big green house with a round turret on the corner proudly stands in Dowagiac Thankfully a Michigan Historical Marker stands next to it giving a little bit of history about the home and the people who lived in it. Businessman and farmer Charles M. Criffield (1867-1929) and his wife, Cora, (1865-1945) built this Queen-Anne
I am back from my trip to the Upper Peninsula. 1450 miles, 750 photos, 10 days, 3 lighthouses 2 state parks, and an island (probably not the one you are thinking) along with countless bugs splatted on the front of my jeep. I Have lots of great stuff to share and new places I visited.
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
Traveling down Michigan’s highways I see a lot of brown memorial signs. Some are in honor of veterans of past wars and others are names of individuals who gave the last full measure of devotion. Most of the time I do not recognize the name on the sign but the name on the sign along
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
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