History and the unknown fascinate me.  So, it doesn't surprise me that I picked up this book Weird Michigan.  The story behind it is that two gentleman wanted to examine all the states' legends, hauntings… basically the stories behind each state.  Here's a few of the highlights.  I've lived in Michigan most of my life and was fascinated by their findings.

Local Legends

Encounter with a Melon Head 

What exactly is a Melon Head? Well this term came from The Felt Mansion in Saugatuck, a place that has been restored, offers tours to the public and is considered to be haunted by Agnes Felt for whom the house was built (enter at your own risk??)

The story behind this mansion was that the Felt family sold the mansion to a seminary and small insane asylum built on the grounds.  Later it was sold to the State of Michigan and turned into a low-security prison.  Supposedly, the asylum specialized in patients with extra fluid on their brains which caused their head to swell.  Once funding was cut, most of the patients were "set free."  Supposedly, these patients still live around the grounds?  (Article by Kellie Topp-Bedrosian)

Cheating Witch in Seidman Park

Article by Melissa Troast, Grand Rapids – Seidman Park in Ada Township is said to be haunted by a woman who was caught cheating there by her husband.  It is said that a fight broke out and all three ended up dead.  She has been seen by several people when there has been a full moon.

Gun Lake: Devil's Soup Bowl

The Devil's Soup Bowl is part of the Yankee Springs Recreational Area near Gun Lake located off Briggs Road.  The Soup Bowl is a massive pit that is several feet deep, in the middle of the woods and said to be created by glaciers during the Ice Age.

The Michigan Triangle – Like the Bermuda Triangle

I believe everyone has heard of the Bermuda Triangle off the coast of Florida where things have just "disappeared."  Guess, what?  We have a triangle where boats/people have just "disappeared." It happens to be in Lake Michigan and the boundaries are said to be from Ludington to Benton Harbor and then across the lake to Manitowoc, Wisconsin and back to Ludington.  Do some google research on it… it's extremely interesting.

Stonehedge of Nunica

Did you know that Nunica has a "Stonehedge" that resembles Great Britain's StoneHedge?  Yea, me neither.

Famous People Tied to Michigan.  Here's one…

Jimmy Hoffa – Detroit Teamsters Union president most famous for suddenly disappearing on July 30, 1975.  Ironically enough, Jimmy's middle name was Riddle which is a perfect summation of what his death would become.

Several stories surround the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa...

*Hoffa had ties to Tony Jack Giacalone, a reputed moss boss.  Did Hoffa vanish after "taking a ride" from which he never returned?

*Was he buried in New Jersey's Meadowlands stadium.

*Was he put through a trash compactor and dumped into a landfill?

*Is he at the bottom of Lake Michigan, Superior, Huron or Erie?

*Is he part of federal witness protection program and did he ever die these horrible deaths?  Born in 1913, it's hardly likely that he is still living anyway.

City Names Rhyme?

I hope you Advance and Chase Bliss.  That your Hart has Hope in this New Era.  That you Winn in the Frontier of Life.  That the Peck you receive will lead to a successful Climax Union and that you're Farewell to this world leads to Paradise and not to Hell, Michigan.

(Not too bad… if I do say so myself)

This book is super interesting and covers the Weird Phenomenon's of the area including: ancient mysteries, unexplained phenomena, roadside oddities, haunted Michigan and some really bizarre oddities.  Check out the book especially if you want to try a new adventure in Michigan!