There are many small towns in Michigan that no one, not even the people who live there, notices. A lot of people in Michigan know about big places like Detroit and Grand Rapids, but there are also lots of cute little towns all over the state with their histories and things to do. Take a look at some of these secret gems.
Omer: The Smallest City
Omer is in Arenac County and is often called Michigan’s smallest city. According to the most recent census, only 313 people were living there. Even though Omer isn’t very big, it has a strong sense of community, and its yearly events bring people from far away. The town’s small-town charm comes from its nice people and shops, which make it a great place to stop on your way to explore Michigan’s less-traveled roads.
Lake Angelus: A Hidden Lakeside Retreat
With a population of about 290, Lake Angelus, which is in Oakland County, is another place that could be Michigan’s smallest. This beautiful town is mostly made up of homes, and it is surrounded by wooded areas and beautiful lakes.
Many people like Lake Angelus because it is quiet and peaceful. It’s a great place to get away from the busy city life. The community is close-knit, and many people are involved in events and local government.
Central: A Ghost Town with a Rich History
Central, which is on the Keweenaw Peninsula, used to be a busy mining town but is now just a dead town. At its busiest, it was home to about 1,300 people, mostly foreigners who worked in the copper mines.
The mine closed in 1898, and the town was left empty. Only a few buildings and a lot of history remain, which makes it interesting to both history buffs and explorers. The ruins of Central remind us of Michigan’s industrial past and the people who used to live and work there.
Glen Haven: A Historic Port Town
Glen Haven is in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It used to be a busy port town where Great Lakes steamships stopped and refueled. It is now kept as a historical place and has several original buildings, such as a blacksmith shop and general store.
The town’s past can be learned about while enjoying the natural beauty of the dunes and Lake Michigan. This makes it a unique place to visit for both history buffs and nature lovers.
Pere Cheney: A Haunting Legacy
In the early 1900s, epidemics caused Pere Cheney, a town that used to be a forest town, to fall into terrible decline. The town used to have about 1,500 people living in it, but by the 1920s, most of them had left. Today, people say it’s haunted, and local stories add to the mystery of its past.
Things that are left of the town, like a graveyard, give people who are interested in Michigan’s haunted history and ghost hunting a look into the town’s past.
In conclusion
People often forget about these small towns, but they are important to Michigan’s past and culture. Every town has its own story to tell, from the peaceful views of Lake Angelus to the scary stories of Pere Cheney.
Discovering these secret gems not only shows how diverse Michigan is, but it also helps you value the state’s less well-known neighborhoods more. These places are worth seeing whether you’ve lived in Michigan your whole life or are just traveling for fun.