Little Mac Foot Bridge, Upper River Road, Mesick, Michigan

The bridge was completed in 1996 and spans the Manistee River.  It was part of the 11 mile Manistee River Trail project that connects with the North Country Trail. Manistee County claims the bridge is the largest wooden suspension bridge in the Lower Peninsula (245 feet long) and that may well be true. We had a little difficulty finding it initially but eventually succeeded (look for a small parking lot on a bluff on Upper River Road).

We walked across the bridge (warning: it wobbles in the middle 😳) and had great views of this beautiful river.

25 Second Video

On our way out, we turned right on Hodenpyl Dam Road that dead ends at the dam. Climb a few stairs to walk on the dam and view Hodenpyl Dam Pond.

Here are a few maps in case you want to walk Little Mac and Hodenpyl Dam.

P.S. There are two other cities claiming "Little Mac" bridge status: Reed City - 150 feet long, and St. Louis - 120 feet long. We'll try to see them another time 😊 

The Union Depot, 610 Western Avenue, Muskegon MI

The railroad depot opened in 1895 and the historic marker credits only architect Amos W. Rush for the design. But architect Sidney J. Osgood drew up the original plans. The project later went to Rush who simplified the original scheme. So kudos to them both because the structure is magnificent. Closed in 1971, the building was later restored and opened as a visitor center and museum by Muskegon County.

We would have loved to see the interior but the building was closed the day we were there.

A walk around the back reveals a Pere Marquette A950 caboose that was cosmetically restored by the Muskegon Railroad Historical Society. Muskegon County now owns it and placed it here in 2001.

The rear of the building needs a little upkeep.

A few famous people stopped here as the marker indicates: Nixon, as a Vice Presidential candidate, and President Truman were both at the railroad station in 1952.

Stop by next time you're in Muskegon!

Old Indian Cemetery, 298 Morris Ave, Muskegon MI

There are no headstones in this old cemetery that it is believed to have been used by the Ottawa Nation as early as the 1750s. It was a burial ground for Native Americans as well as settlers from 1806 - 1854.  In 1961, it was determined that there were approximately 200 burials here.

The original plot of land was one acre but today it is less than half an acre with a portion of the original land paved over to become a parking lot.

The "original title" to this property was obtained by Louis B. Badeaux from the Federal Government in 1837. Louis sold it to the Ottawa Nation but Native Americans could not hold title to property in 1841. Eventually the title came to be held by Martin A. Ryerson who deeded it to the City of Muskegon in 1928.

It's a serene spot surrounded by buildings and busy streets, and it tells a small part of the always sad and tragic history of Native Americans. Peace to the Ottawa Nation.