Visit These 7 Ghost Towns In Michigan At Your Own Risk

Michigan is a state rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. But it also has a darker side, as evidenced by the many ghost towns that dot its landscape. These are places that were once thriving communities, but were abandoned for various reasons, such as economic decline, natural disasters, or social unrest. Some of these ghost towns are still accessible to the curious and adventurous, but they are not for the faint of heart. Here are seven of the most eerie and fascinating ghost towns in Michigan that you can visit at your own risk.

1. Fayette

Fayette was a bustling iron-smelting town in the 19th century, with over 500 residents, a hotel, a school, a church, and a post office. It was located on the Garden Peninsula, overlooking the scenic Snail Shell Harbor. However, by the early 20th century, the iron industry declined and the town was deserted. Today, Fayette is a state park that preserves 20 of the original buildings, including the blast furnaces, the machine shop, and the company office. Visitors can explore the town and learn about its history through guided tours, exhibits, and interpretive signs.

2. Central

Central was a copper mining town in the Keweenaw Peninsula, founded in 1854. It was home to over 1,200 people, who worked in the nearby mines and mills. The town had a school, a church, a store, and a saloon. However, by the 1890s, the copper ore became scarce and the town was gradually abandoned. Today, Central is a ghost town that is slowly being reclaimed by nature. Only a few buildings remain, such as the church, the schoolhouse, and the cemetery. Visitors can hike or bike along the trails that connect the town to the surrounding wilderness.

3. Pere Cheney

Pere Cheney was a lumber town in Crawford County, founded in 1874. It was named after George A. Cheney, a railroad official who helped establish the town. The town prospered for a while, reaching a population of over 1,500 people, who enjoyed amenities such as a hotel, a school, a church, and a newspaper. However, the town was plagued by fires, floods, and diseases, especially diphtheria, which wiped out most of the children. By the 1910s, the town was virtually deserted. Today, Pere Cheney is a ghost town that is rumored to be haunted by the spirits of the dead. Only a few foundations and gravestones remain, hidden in the woods. Visitors can access the town by following a dirt road, but they should beware of the paranormal activity that has been reported there.

4. Singapore

Singapore was a port town in Allegan County, founded in 1836. It was located on the shore of Lake Michigan, near the mouth of the Kalamazoo River. The town thrived as a lumber and shipping center, with over 200 residents, a sawmill, a hotel, a bank, and a school. However, the town suffered from several setbacks, such as the depletion of the timber resources, the erosion of the harbor, and the Great Fire of 1871, which destroyed much of the town. By the 1880s, the town was abandoned and buried by the shifting sand dunes. Today, Singapore is a ghost town that is completely submerged under the sand. Only a few artifacts, such as bricks and nails, can be found on the beach. Visitors can learn more about the town’s history at the nearby Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Museum.

5. Glen Haven

Glen Haven was a fishing and logging village in Leelanau County, founded in 1857. It was located on the shore of Lake Michigan, near the Sleeping Bear Dunes. The village served as a supply station for the ships that sailed on the lake, offering a dock, a general store, a blacksmith shop, and a cannery. The village also had a school, a church, a hotel, and a lifesaving station. However, by the mid-20th century, the village declined due to the changes in the shipping and logging industries. The village was eventually sold to the National Park Service, which turned it into a historic district. Today, Glen Haven is a ghost town that is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Visitors can tour the restored buildings, such as the general store, the blacksmith shop, and the lifesaving station, and enjoy the scenic views of the lake and the dunes.

6. Podunk

Podunk was a farming community in Osceola County, founded in 1860. It was named after a Native American word meaning “swampy place”. The community was small but lively, with about 100 residents, a school, a church, a store, and a post office. The community was known for its annual picnics, which attracted people from the neighboring towns. However, by the 1930s, the community faded away due to the Great Depression and the migration of the younger generation. Today, Podunk is a ghost town that is mostly forgotten. Only a few traces of the community remain, such as the cemetery, the schoolhouse, and the picnic grounds. Visitors can find the town by following a dirt road, but they should respect the private property of the few residents who still live there.

7. Metz

Metz was a farming town in Presque Isle County, founded in 1877. It was named after a town in France, where some of the settlers came from. The town grew to have over 500 residents, who worked in the farms and the cheese factory. The town had a school, a church, a store, and a hotel. However, the town was devastated by a fire in 1908, which destroyed most of the buildings and killed 43 people. The town never recovered from the tragedy and was gradually abandoned. Today, Metz is a ghost town that is marked by a historical plaque and a memorial park. Visitors can see the ruins of the cheese factory, the hotel, and the cemetery, and learn about the town’s history at the park.

Conclusion

Michigan has many ghost towns that offer a glimpse into the past and a challenge for the present. These are places that have stories to tell, secrets to reveal, and mysteries to solve. They are also places that require caution, respect, and courage. If you are looking for an adventure, you can visit these seven ghost towns in Michigan at your own risk. But be prepared for what you might find, or what might find you.

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