michigan Archives - Page 2 of 3

Gratiot County Courthouse in Ithaca Michigan

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in small towns .

I am surprised there is not a historical marker for the courthouse but I found a description on Wikipedia.

In 1900, voters approved the construction of a stone courthouse.Plans were drawn by Jackson-based architect Claire Allen, and the cornerstone was laid in September 1900. However, work soon stopped as the contractor demanded more money, and lawsuits were initiated by the county and by the contractor’s bondsmen. The issue was soon resolved, and construction resumed, this time by A. W. Mohnke of Grand Rapids. The final cost of construction was $75,000. A clock was added to the clock tower in 1905.

The Topinabee Train Depot Library

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Library, Train Depots .

There is a lot to love about the Topinabee Library, it was a former train depot and sits near beautiful Mullett Lake and one of my favorite features is the paving bricks surrounding the library are Saginaw Bricks.

Hoyt Library – Michigan Historical Marker

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Library, Michigan Historical Markers .

The Saginaw Evening News declared the Hoyt Library “a noble institution” and “the pride of all Saginawians” when it opened in 1890. The library was a gift to the people of Saginaw from New York businessman Jesse Hoyt (1815-1882), who had real estate and lumber interests in the Saginaw Valley. Hoyt’s will set aside $100,000 for a public library here. After a national competition among leading architects, the Hoyt Trust chose the Boston architectural firm of Van Brunt and Howe. When the Richardsonain Romanesque style building was completed it exemplified modern library construction. The present building includes a 1921 addition by Edward Tilton of New York and a 1960 addition by Frederick E. Wigen Architects of Saginaw.

Clifford Branch of the Lapeer District Library

Posted on April 15, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Library, Schools .

Continuing with Library week, this is the Clifford Branch of the Lapeer District Library in Clifford Michigan. It used to be the local school but was converted into a Library in the 70’s

“I must say I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a good book.” Groucho Marx

Michigan’s Haunted Mansion

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, Historic Places, Houses, Uncategorized .

Several sources have said this is one of the most haunted places in Michigan. I am not much of a believer in ghosts, but I do like a good story. Built in 1876, on M53 near Brown City is this old Second Empire mansion. It was the home of and built by John G. Bruce who owned the Bruce and Webster General Merchants with his brother-in-law in Burnside township which he was the postmaster for 16 years. The old house sold a few different times and rumor has it one of the mansion’s owners were said to have been taking the back roads in his automobile when he hit a pedestrian. Terrified at what he had done, he took the body back to the mansion and buried it somewhere on the estate. Some say the ghost of the victim, others simply guilt, caused the man to lose his fortune and drive him to commit suicide by hanging himself in the old bell tower.

Please note this house is not abandoned please be respectful and do not trespass.

I have more about the historic mansion and several other haunted places around the state in the Lost In Michigan books available on Amazon HERE

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Owosso Water Tower

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in small towns, Water Tower .

Maybe it’s just me, but I notice water towers, probably because they are the tallest structure in a lot of towns across Michigan. I especially like this one in Owosso with yellow paint, or at least what’s left of its yellow paint, and the fact that its an older tower with its cone shape top. I am not sure what the letting on it used to say but it still is an interesting landmark in Owosso.

P.S. I need to get a photo of it’s sibling across town someday too the sun was not in the right place when I was there for a good pic.

The Manchester Castle House

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Houses, small towns .

Driving thru Manchester I noticed this odd looking house down one of the side streets so of course I had to turn around and check it out. It looks like a castle and is not your typical looking house. I searched google and the only thing I found was a photo of a postcard on Flickr circa 1910 and that it was built by A.J. Wright, other than that I could not find anything else. It is truly an unique looking house and who would not want to live in a castle, especially a little boy or girl.

The Manchester Castle House decorated for Halloween last fall

Downtown Mayville Michigan

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in small towns .

I know I am supposed to write a description, but sometimes a photo is enough to say what I need to say and I think this photo says it better than I can say it with words.

Tuscola County Courthouse – Michigan Historical Marker

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Michigan Historical Markers .

Peter DeWitt Bush (1818-1913), the second permanent resident of the village of Caro, donated the site for the village courthouse square in 1866. Then he, along with two other pioneer settlers, moved an old frame church to the site to serve as the county’s first courthouse. In 1873 the county replaced the former church with a brick courthouse that served the community’s needs until 1932, when the present Art Deco style structure was completed. Designed by Detroit architect William H. Kuni and built by Cecil M. Kelly, a Caro native, the courthouse is faced with Indiana limestone. Situated on the same site as the old brick courthouse, this $180,000 structure was completely paid for when it was dedicated on January 24, 1933, by means of a one-mill, five-year tax levy.

Mystery House on Marlette Road

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, Houses .

I saw this old house on Marlette road with a cross in the yard between Marlette and Cliffford Michigan. It’s hard to read in the photo, but I could make out Donna carved into the cross. Who was Donna, did she live here? did she die in a roadside accident and someone put up a cross and a wreath. I see a lot of old abandoned houses around Michigan, but very seldom do I have a named associated with it. It makes this house seem so much more real and that someone lived and raised a family here.

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