See The Fascinating History of Michigan’s Only Buried Ghost Town

Dozens of ghost towns exist in Michigan dating back to pre-statehood. Many were old mining towns.

Did you know one still "exists," but can't be seen anymore?

Uniquely lost, Singapore, Michigan

Located near Saugatuck on the west side of Michigan, Singapore was a booming lumbering & shipbuilding town founded in 1836.

Singapore, Michigan 1836-1871 Public Domain

Someone from the Northeast United States founded the area thinking: "why couldn't this be a port as large and successful as Milwaukee or Chicago?"

The area did boom. It was almost entirely deforested because so much wood was needed to rebuild communities lost to fires in the late 1800s.

Why couldn't Singapore exist with fewer trees?

Without trees, winds off Lake Michigan caused erosion. Singapore, Michigan was buried by a couple of sand dunes.

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People have found the tops of houses and artifacts from that era including tools, building materials and everyday household items.

Singapore Michigan by rossograph via Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0

Not every building was lost. When the Kalamazoo River froze over, people used giant logs to slide a few houses and a bank to Saugatuck before the sand could cover them.

You can see the Singapore Bank Building on Butler Street in Saugatuck -- it's now a gallery/bookstore near Saugatuck Village Hall.

Singapore Historical Marker in front of Saugatuck Village Hall Credit: Google Street View

A couple of the houses still exist, too.

Maureen Hayes told WZZM-TV in 2019 about the house she purchased at 333 Lucy Street in 2011. The historic commission was there when they closed on the property to say ask: "Do you realize you have a Singapore house?"

They did... and have gone to great lengths to preserve it.

Former Singapore, MI home relocated to 333 Lucy Street Saugatuck, MI. Credit: Google Street View

Visitors might see the old Dugout Road if they're walking around the dunes near the Kalamazoo River just north of Downtown Saugatuck.

It was the main drag into and out of Singapore.

Approximate location of buried ghost town Singapore, MI. Credit Google Maps

Now, it's an overgrown trail you can follow to the sandy history of a buried Michigan city.

Singapore Michigan by rossograph / CC BY SA 4.0 (No Changes Made)

$8.5 Million Log Cabin Island Retreat in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

No, it's not Montana or even the set of "Yellowstone". This breathtaking million-dollar retreat is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan near the Wisconsin border and is everything a nature lover has dreamt of. With its 16 acres of wilderness and lakeside beauty, any fisherman or someone looking to escape from it all would simply love it. Over 10,000 square feet of space with 7 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms, this log home Island family retreat on the famous Cisco Chain of Lakes is meant for large family get-togethers and big gatherings.

Take a look at what tranquility and heaven on earth really look like.

Gallery Credit: Zillow

Michael Moore's Former Home on Torch Lake

Take a look inside one of Michael Moore's former Michigan homes, selling recently for just over $4.3 million.

Gallery Credit: George McIntyre

Jacobson's Department Store: Renderings and Photos of Michigan and Florida Locations

Jacobson's Department Stores were a part of Michigan retail history. Founded in 1838 by Abram Jacobson in Reed City, Michigan, the single department store evolved into a symbol of upscale shopping, fashion, and exquisite gifts. Let's take a close look at some renderings and photos of former Jacobson's locations in Michigan and Florida, thanks to TheDepartmentStoreMuseum.org.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow