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6/18/2018 - Deana Leinberger
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Relatives owned and developed this site, but I believe they manufactured souvenirs made of Michigan pine wood before they opened the Underground Forest. I’m not sure of the relative’s name but it could have been Rachwitz or BENNETT. Do you have any history of that? I was a chikd in the 50s when we visited there. Thx.
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9/2/2013 - WaterWinterWonderland.com
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The Underground Forest still stands, having closed in the 1960's after Old 27 gave way to I-75. The attraction and the adjacent house are now owned by a family intent on keeping the structures intact. They were nice enough to show us around and allow us to take pictures. Just inside the entrance was a ticket office, souvenir shop and concession stand. The remainder of the structure was built into a hillside.
Beyond the souvenir shop was a series of underground tunnels featuring dioramas with various taxidermy animals on display that were indigenous to the region. Evidently some of the animals can still be seen at the Call of the Wild attraction in Gaylord. They were moved there after the Underground Forest closed down. There were also smaller displays which showed movies.
Many thanks to the current owners who took the time to share this rare artifact of mid century tourism. We would ask that anyone visiting the area not trespass on the grounds of the Underground Forest as it is now private property. There is construction going on and walking around inside could be hazardous.
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