7 creepy facts about Michigan they don’t teach you in school
Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season with seven creepy (or simply unexplained) facts about Michigan that textbooks ignore.
Disappearing towns, mysterious shipwrecks, mob murders, and even the death of an iconic magician—what do these have in common? They’re all a bit creepy, of course, but they’re also bound by the fact that their roots lead right here to the Great Lakes State.
As we inch into the Halloween season, you might be in the mood to explore Michigan’s darker, more mysterious history. We’ve got you covered with seven unusual, odd, and downright eerie tidbits of Michigan lore that history textbooks leave out.
1. Michigan is a hotspot for Bigfoot sightings
Of course, we can’t make any factual statements about the existence of Bigfoot, but we can report that many Michiganders claim to have spotted the infamous creature.
From the woods of the Upper Peninsula to the shrouded shores of inland lakes, countless hunters and outdoor explorers have reported unexplained noises, footprints, and even eyewitness accounts of unidentified creatures. Have you witnessed anything strange during your adventures in nature?
2. An iron ore ghost town haunts the Upper Peninsula
Fayette might not make the cut for history textbooks, but it was once a booming and bustling iron production community in the reaches of the Upper Peninsula. Situated on a gorgeous inlet of Lake Michigan, Fayette housed some 500 residents from the United States, Canada, and beyond—along with schools, stores, homes, and other outbuildings established in 1867.
When the iron industry declined in the early 1890s, residents slowly moved away, leaving a ghost town in their wake. Today, visitors can walk among the abandoned buildings and imagine what life was like during Fayette’s heyday. It’s a fascinating (but decidedly eerie) experience.
3. Michigan has its very own Bermuda Triangle
You’ve heard of the Bermuda Triangle, but did you know there’s a Lake Michigan Triangle, too? The purported “triangle” stretches between Manitowoc, Benton Harbor, and Ludington and is noted as a site of several shipwrecks—including the schooners Rouse Simmons and Thomas Hume—along with two airline crashes and even a handful of UFO sightings.
While there’s no concrete evidence to support any particular “force” within the Triangle, it remains a fixture in local legends, and the wreckages reported in the area are very real.
4. Michigan was the site of War of 1812 massacre
Many Michiganders might not know that our state was home to a bloody battle during the War of 1812. Today, visitors can explore River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, where they’ll find walking trails, historical markers, and green space galore.
But in January 1813, American soldiers faced troops from the British and Native American forces, ultimately resulting in a major defeat for the Americans that came to be known as the Battle of Frenchtown (or, to some, the River Raisin Massacre). Some 450 died in the conflict, including 410 American soldiers. The defeat represented a significant loss for American troops in the broader conflict.
5. There’s a “Pompeii” under the dunes of Lake Michigan
Perhaps you’ve strolled through the charming streets of downtown Saugatuck, but did you know you’re actually walking atop (or adjacent to) a hidden town known as “the Pompeii of Michigan?” Singapore was a shoreline community at the mouth of the Kalamazoo River, founded in 1836.
At its height, the community was a lively lumbering hub complete with multiple mills and a downtown area. When the lumber supply ultimately waned, residents left Singapore behind, and the town fell prey to the erosion and shifts of shoreline sand. Today, the remnants of the town are buried deep below the dunes of Lake Michigan—talk about eerie!
6. An American icon died in Detroit
Harry Houdini is perhaps the most famous name in the history of magic, known for thrilling crowds throughout the early 20th century with his impressive escape acts and eye-popping stunts. Houdini was (and still is) an icon among illusionists—but few know that his very last show took place here in Michigan.
In the fall of 1926, Houdini took the stage at the Garrick Theatre in Detroit despite being diagnosed with a high fever and acute appendicitis after being punched in the abdomen a week earlier. Ignoring doctor’s orders, he continued to perform through his pain and even collapsed at one point during the show. After the final bow, he was transported to Detroit’s Grace Hospital, where he ultimately died from peritonitis at the age of 52.
7. A mob shooting shocked small-town Clare
The small town of Clare might be unassuming, but it’s actually the site of a truly shocking event in Michigan history. Clare’s Doherty Hotel, situated on McEwan Street downtown, has been in operation for more than a century.
In May of 1938, the hotel became a grisly crime scene when a member of the infamous Purple Gang, Isaiah Leebove, was shot and killed by oil industry professional Jack Livingston in the hotel’s tap room over business conflicts. Livingston was ultimately acquitted of the crime with a finding of temporary insanity, but the haunting history still lingers in the Doherty Hotel—and you probably didn’t learn about it in school.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics.
