Lost In Michigan

Based on the popular Lost In Michigan website that was featured in the Detroit Free Press, It contains locations throughout Michigan, and tells their interesting story. There are over 50 stories and locations that you will find fascinating.

Eastern Michigan's vanished boomtowns and villages are uncovered and revisited in this fascinating look at the history of the lost settlements around Detroit and the Great Lakes. Many of eastern Michigan's old boomtowns and sleepy villages are faded memories. Nature reclaimed the ruins of some while progress paved over the rest. Discover the stories of lost communities hidden in plain sight or just off the beaten track. The vanished religious colony of Ora Labora fell into a state of near-constant inebriation when beer became the only safe liquid to drink. Lake St. Clair swallowed up the unique currency of Belvidere along with the place that issued it. Abandoned towns still crumble within Detroit's city limits. Alan Naldrett delves into the fascinating history of eastern Michigan's lost settlements.

2011 marks the 100th anniversary of "The City of Fruitvale," located in Muskegon and Oceana Counties in Michigan. Now, twenty-two years after the release of the local best seller, "The Lost City of Fruitvale Michigan," volume 2 is available. Starting out as a "Free" lot offer in Chicago, it soon grew to include a resort, chicken and cherry farm sites, a chain of grocery stores, the "Co-operative Commonwealth" monthly magazine, insurance, banking and investment offers from Iowa to New York State. With new material not found in volume 1, this book contains nearly 240 pages of history, with over 100 full color maps. In addition, this volume covers more history beyond the boarders of the "Michigan Estate" and how Harrison Parker's Co-operative Commonwealth touched the lives of thousands, including such noted men as William Jennings Bryan while bringing in millions of dollars before being caught up in lengthy court battles and finally collapsing in bankruptcy and jail time. Also included is the little known history of a young writer by the name of Ernest Hemingway and the work that he did while as associate editor for the Co-operative Commonwealth magazine. In addition and for the first time, a brief history of Bertram C. Mayo and the Lakewood plats are included, along with the maps that were widely compared to at the time of the Fruitvale plats.

The fourth volume in the Lost In Michigan book series. It contains unique and interesting stories throughout the "Mitten State" that are off the beaten path. Tales of tragic accidents, to historic places and inspirational people that showcases Michigan's diverse history. If you have traveled to the popular tourist destinations in Michigan, and are looking for something a little different, you will enjoy reading this book. It's the perfect book to take on a road trip and get "Lost In Michigan."

Ann Arbor might have become just another small Michigan village had it not been for one crucial event: its designation as the home of the University of Michigan in 1837. Its subsequent development into a thriving cultural and intellectual community was marked by its extraordinary architecture, from the grand 1878 courthouse to the exquisite original university buildings and fashionable East Huron Street. The expansion of the town and university, the arrival of the automobile, and frequent fires began atransformation of Ann Arbor that led to the tragic demolition of some of its most remarkable structures. Lost Ann Arbor is a tribute to these long-lost treasures and the 19th century way of life that accompanied them.

"True tales of tragedy and triumph"--Cover.