Abandoned sites are hauntingly beautiful. There’s nothing quite as chilling as looking up at a once-grand building and imagining its bustling heyday as it sits in ruin, overtaken by wayward plants and graffiti. Michigan is home to some incredible abandoned places, some of which are more haunting than others. If you’re an urban explorer or simply curious about some of our state’s long-defunct sites, here’s a tour that will fascinate you. Some of these abandoned places in Michigan are still standing, while others have been torn down to make way for something else. But either way, you can still at least drive by and wonder about the stories that originated from some of the creepiest places in Michigan.
Google Maps
Google Maps For the sake of travel time, we’ve split this route into two mini-road trips for the spots listed below, one in the Upper Peninsula and the other in the Lower Peninsula. Take one - or both - to check out some of the most incredible abandoned places in Michigan.
- Michigan Central Station (2001 15th St, Detroit)
Flickr/Learn From. Build More.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk Opened in 1913, Detroit’s Michigan Central Station was once the tallest rail station in the world. It served as bustling hub for people moving in and around the city. As the automobile grew in popularity and the Great Depression set in, the station began to lose its economic prowess. After decades of ownership turnovers and attempted renovations, the building was abandoned in 2004. Michigan Central, 2001 15th St, Detroit, MI 48216, USA
- Eloise Asylum
Flickr/Don The Up North Memories Guy
Sophie Boudreau This large complex in Wayne County opened in 1839 as a farm and poor house and was eventually turned into a sanitarium and psychiatric hospital. Most of the buildings were closed by the late 1970s, and only 4 of the original 78 buildings in the complex remain, in addition to a small cemetery. It’s not every day you run into an abandoned insane asylum in Michigan, but here we are. 30712 Michigan Ave, Westland, MI 48186, USA
- Northville Regional Psychiatric Hospital
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Flickr/Thomas Hawk Often cited as one of the most haunted places in Michigan, the Northville Psychiatric Hospital is certainly an eerie sight to behold. It operated for 50 years beginning in 1952 and now attracts urban explorers from across the state. 41001 W Seven Mile Rd, Northville, MI 48167, USA
- Prehistoric Forest
Flickr/Don… The Up North Memories Guy… Harrison
Flickr/erika dot net As far as abandoned attractions go, the Prehistoric Forest is certainly one-of-a-kind. Opened in the mid-1960s, it housed 70 fiberglass dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. It closed in 1999, leaving the forest’s remaining structures to gather moss. 8203 US-12, Onsted, MI 49265, USA
- The Southwest Michigan Tuberculosis Sanitarium
Flickr/C Rodenbarger
Flickr/C Rodenbarger Situated on a hillside overlooking the city of Kalamazoo, this abandoned tuberculosis asylum served as a highly successful treatment center during the 1950s. Ultimately, its success led to its decline, as patients who were treated and cured no longer needed to stay at the sanitarium. The building remained part of the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital until its closure in 1990. While many of the original buildings have been demolished, a few still stand as this property is still a hospital to this day. 1500 Blakeslee St, Kalamazoo, MI 49006, USA
- Holy Family Orphanage
Flickr/Don… The Up North Memories Guy… Harrison
Flickr/katie pease Holy Family in Marquette was the Upper Peninsula’s first orphanage, established in 1915. The orphanage has a sad history: its initial purpose was to house Native American children who had been torn from their families by government officials. The orphanage remained in use until 1967, and the building was completely abandoned by 1987. In 2016, renovations on this building began and it now houses apartments. 600 Altamont St, Marquette, MI 49855, USA
7. Bay Shore Road Bridge
Flickr/C Hanchey
Flickr/C Hanchey This partially collapsed bridge over the Escanaba River was constructed in 1911 by the Delta County Road Commission. The bridge was built in an unusual way for concrete structures of its kind, using a more “bare bones” approach and employing fewer laborers. This likely contributed to its demise. Old US Highway 41 & 2nd Street, Old US Hwy 41 & 2nd St, Oaktown, IN 47561, USA
- Fayette Historic Townsite
Flickr/Pat Kight
Flickr/Pat Kight This Michigan ghost town in the Upper Peninsula was once a successful iron ore hub that housed the Jackson Iron Company. It was most bustling during the late 19th century, but as the iron industry declined, the area quickly lost its residents and economic success. Today, visitors can explore the abandoned homes of former residents and check out buildings that once aided in iron ore production. 4785 II Rd, Garden, MI 49835, USA
If you choose to visit any of these abandoned places in Michigan, enter at your own risk. Use caution and be aware of trespassing laws. If you have any amazing photos from your explorations of abandoned Michigan buildings, share them on our page!
Google Maps
For the sake of travel time, we’ve split this route into two mini-road trips for the spots listed below, one in the Upper Peninsula and the other in the Lower Peninsula. Take one - or both - to check out some of the most incredible abandoned places in Michigan.
Flickr/Learn From. Build More.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Opened in 1913, Detroit’s Michigan Central Station was once the tallest rail station in the world. It served as bustling hub for people moving in and around the city. As the automobile grew in popularity and the Great Depression set in, the station began to lose its economic prowess. After decades of ownership turnovers and attempted renovations, the building was abandoned in 2004.
Michigan Central, 2001 15th St, Detroit, MI 48216, USA
Flickr/Don The Up North Memories Guy
Sophie Boudreau
This large complex in Wayne County opened in 1839 as a farm and poor house and was eventually turned into a sanitarium and psychiatric hospital. Most of the buildings were closed by the late 1970s, and only 4 of the original 78 buildings in the complex remain, in addition to a small cemetery. It’s not every day you run into an abandoned insane asylum in Michigan, but here we are.
30712 Michigan Ave, Westland, MI 48186, USA
Often cited as one of the most haunted places in Michigan, the Northville Psychiatric Hospital is certainly an eerie sight to behold. It operated for 50 years beginning in 1952 and now attracts urban explorers from across the state.
41001 W Seven Mile Rd, Northville, MI 48167, USA
Flickr/Don… The Up North Memories Guy… Harrison
Flickr/erika dot net
As far as abandoned attractions go, the Prehistoric Forest is certainly one-of-a-kind. Opened in the mid-1960s, it housed 70 fiberglass dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. It closed in 1999, leaving the forest’s remaining structures to gather moss.
8203 US-12, Onsted, MI 49265, USA
Flickr/C Rodenbarger
Situated on a hillside overlooking the city of Kalamazoo, this abandoned tuberculosis asylum served as a highly successful treatment center during the 1950s. Ultimately, its success led to its decline, as patients who were treated and cured no longer needed to stay at the sanitarium. The building remained part of the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital until its closure in 1990. While many of the original buildings have been demolished, a few still stand as this property is still a hospital to this day.
1500 Blakeslee St, Kalamazoo, MI 49006, USA
Flickr/katie pease
Holy Family in Marquette was the Upper Peninsula’s first orphanage, established in 1915. The orphanage has a sad history: its initial purpose was to house Native American children who had been torn from their families by government officials. The orphanage remained in use until 1967, and the building was completely abandoned by 1987. In 2016, renovations on this building began and it now houses apartments.
600 Altamont St, Marquette, MI 49855, USA
Flickr/C Hanchey
This partially collapsed bridge over the Escanaba River was constructed in 1911 by the Delta County Road Commission. The bridge was built in an unusual way for concrete structures of its kind, using a more “bare bones” approach and employing fewer laborers. This likely contributed to its demise.
Old US Highway 41 & 2nd Street, Old US Hwy 41 & 2nd St, Oaktown, IN 47561, USA
Flickr/Pat Kight
This Michigan ghost town in the Upper Peninsula was once a successful iron ore hub that housed the Jackson Iron Company. It was most bustling during the late 19th century, but as the iron industry declined, the area quickly lost its residents and economic success. Today, visitors can explore the abandoned homes of former residents and check out buildings that once aided in iron ore production.
4785 II Rd, Garden, MI 49835, USA
Are you fascinated by abandoned places in Michigan? Are there any unusual spots in your hometown? We’d love to hear about them in the comments. And if you’d like to learn more about one of the creepiest places in MI, this spooky ghost town in Michigan is probably right up your alley!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Abandoned Places in Michigan January 28, 2020 Andrea Limke What is the most famous abandoned place in Michigan? As time moves on, it is only natural that we find more and more abandoned places in Michigan. Things change and develop and sometimes buildings, and even entire towns, are left to be reclaimed by nature. These spots are often considered some of the creepiest places in Michigan, and it’s easy to see why with such a mysterious atmosphere. In addition to the 8 abandoned places in Michigan mentioned above, learn more about this town that was also left on its own. What is the most haunted place in Michigan? When you talk about abandoned places you often also mention some of the most haunted places in Michigan. They go hand in hand and we have plenty throughout our state to explore. If you’d like to take another road trip through Michigan, check out these 7 haunted destinations. Can I go ghost hunting in Michigan? If you have an interest in the paranormal, you can absolutely go ghost hunting in Michigan. From haunted buildings to creepy hiking trails, we have all sorts of ghostly adventures. For starters, check out this haunted road in Michigan that’s said to be home to a few ghosts.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Abandoned Places in Michigan
January 28, 2020
Andrea Limke
What is the most famous abandoned place in Michigan? As time moves on, it is only natural that we find more and more abandoned places in Michigan. Things change and develop and sometimes buildings, and even entire towns, are left to be reclaimed by nature. These spots are often considered some of the creepiest places in Michigan, and it’s easy to see why with such a mysterious atmosphere. In addition to the 8 abandoned places in Michigan mentioned above, learn more about this town that was also left on its own. What is the most haunted place in Michigan? When you talk about abandoned places you often also mention some of the most haunted places in Michigan. They go hand in hand and we have plenty throughout our state to explore. If you’d like to take another road trip through Michigan, check out these 7 haunted destinations. Can I go ghost hunting in Michigan? If you have an interest in the paranormal, you can absolutely go ghost hunting in Michigan. From haunted buildings to creepy hiking trails, we have all sorts of ghostly adventures. For starters, check out this haunted road in Michigan that’s said to be home to a few ghosts.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
As time moves on, it is only natural that we find more and more abandoned places in Michigan. Things change and develop and sometimes buildings, and even entire towns, are left to be reclaimed by nature. These spots are often considered some of the creepiest places in Michigan, and it’s easy to see why with such a mysterious atmosphere. In addition to the 8 abandoned places in Michigan mentioned above, learn more about this town that was also left on its own.
What is the most haunted place in Michigan?
When you talk about abandoned places you often also mention some of the most haunted places in Michigan. They go hand in hand and we have plenty throughout our state to explore. If you’d like to take another road trip through Michigan, check out these 7 haunted destinations.
Can I go ghost hunting in Michigan?
If you have an interest in the paranormal, you can absolutely go ghost hunting in Michigan. From haunted buildings to creepy hiking trails, we have all sorts of ghostly adventures. For starters, check out this haunted road in Michigan that’s said to be home to a few ghosts.
