he summer residence of Chase Osborn represents an interesting and complex time. Now, called the Chase Osborn Preserve, it is used by the University of Michigan for natural research. But, the historic value seems to be ignored by the University. Perhaps they had to promise to allow it to fall [...]
History and Culture
111 posts
How did Raco, Kincheloe and a radar station in Michigan’s upper peninsula work to protect the Soo Locks and our nation? We were intrigued by these sites. We had heard about them from Chuck’s father, Nile Hayden, so Da Viking and I visited these areas in the U.P. to learn […]
Da Viking and I wanted to experience the engineering marvel of the Soo Locks. Traveling by our zodiac, Thor, brought many questions and smiles from the Soo Lock’s Tour Boat. Before the locks were built, ships were skidded or portaged on rolling timbers along road to traverse the twenty-one foot […]
Defending the Soo Locks. In the sleepy wilderness and towns of the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan lies the ruins of a retired war machine. . . that had enough destructive power to level 300 major cities. We explore Raco Auxiliary Air Field, 753rd Radar Station and Kincheloe Air Force [...]
Not only did Chase S. Osborn serve as Michigan’s 27th governor (1911-1913) but he had a variety of skills and occupations: newspaper publisher, world traveler, naturalist, prospector, postmaster, railroad commissioner, fish and game warden, a member of the board of Regents for University of Michigan, and an author of many […]
During prohibition, there were thousands of illegal runs across the Canadian border to Michigan. They brought whiskey into the United States, which was illegal because of the Volstead Act. While organized crime gets much of the credit, there were also average Americans that risked life and limb to bring in [...]
Can you imagine teaching a group ranging from pre kindergarten to eighth grade? (Some of you probably can with our virtual learning this past spring.) Wendy Spray has taught on the remote island of Bois Blanc for over 15 years. One year her one room school had a population of […]
In the quaint village of Gergei, Sardina is Mario Cesare’s cottage tucked between stone walls, which was our housing for one night. Mario had been an artist who painted and drew portraits of locals capturing their character. His scenes were of village life. He didn’t reach for fame, but rather […]
The Discovery The bones of Sister Mary Janina (Ya-nina) were unearthed from the basement cellar of Holy Rosary Catholic church in late 1918. It had been 11 years since the nun had gone missing. Father Edward Podlaszewski was the new priest who wanted to build a stylish church on the […]
Deberio, Ivo’s friend, welcomed us into his winery and art gallery. The clay brick walls and dirt floor made it much cooler than the outdoors. There were a variety paintings hung. He brought us to the side room where the table was adored with a hand stitched cloth. There was […]