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Anyone interested in more pictures and extensive history on the Petoskey Motor Speedway can go to the Petoskey Public Library and look it up in the white pages, if in doubt ask the front desk about it and mention Rick Wiles as he was the one who contacted me and honored our family with doing this and submitting it to the public Library in Petoskey. Mr. Wiles did an awesome job on this and I gave him everything I had on the race track. I do have a 8mm movie of the jalopies during a race and I think there is a roll over on the movie also and a fire during a crash. should anyone want to contact me can email me at lineman444@hotmail.com. Thanks for this site and the history of surrounding Petoskey. Richard (Rick)Moore Jr.
I have a Sallan Jewelry Company Case that has a pair of Bausch & Lomb eyeglasses..the case say's Sallan Jewelry Company Registered Optometrists Lansing, Michigan..the glasses are mark B & L 1/10 12 k GF..if you would like pictures let me know..
Greetings; While I have no information concerning the D06 Missle Site, I lived on the corner of Rex & Powers Ct in the late 60s - early 70s & wasn't aware of its existence until 2013. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't that have been near Rochester-Utica Park? It must have been fascinating making that discovery in '82.Best,William Kiefer
My dad, Earl Fortney, raced at St. Alma too. I remember all those names that Michael Dancer mentioned--especially Roger Ryder and Bud Morrow. I believe they did race on Sundays because a lot of those guys also raced at Crystal. Great memories.
When did Merritt Speedway open? Is it still open?
Van Dyke and Harper was another location
The Capitol Theatre has had major changes since the information posted on this site. It was purchased in 2015 and a complete restoration was completed in 2017. A history is here: https://thefim.org/capitol-theatre/history/
This is more of a request for information than offer any at this time… my father raced flattrack motorcycles most of his adult life, well in the mid 60s he raced for McGoverns cycle in GR. Anyway they put a display at the autorama one year of some of my dad’s trophies his one bike etc… also was a sign with all the info of him being track champion at Nunica . hence my question,, when did they pave the oval?? I know my dad raced some asphalt ovals but most of those were either in Canada or out east. just personal research for myself. I appreciate any and all info you might be able to give!! Thank you so much!! Keith Mann
https://www.nps.gov/people/bessie-altman-kosman.htmAn amazing write-up of my great-grandmother Bessie Altman who apparently "built and established The Rex".
According to satellite images, it looks like the motel lost the part of their property that contained the sign when the county or state widen the road back in the early to mid 2000s. Unfortunately, this happened to a lot of businesses over the years and many cool neon signs were lost.
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2024/02/04/michigans-last-horse-racing-track-closes-after-80-year-run/
There was a Top Hat Hamburger located in Roseville on the Southwest corner of Gratiot Ave. and Twelve Mile Road
Jonesey's was where I-69 got put in. The owner Matt Dubie opened a new place called "Dubie's" on Lapeer Rd. which is where Lucky's Steakhouse is now.Info here: https://davisonindex.mihomepaper.com/articles/out-of-the-past-197/and here: https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/flint/name/matthew-dubie-obituary?id=21913458
I can add additional information regarding Marshall's Motel. My parents, Charles and Aileen Moore originally bought it from the Marshalls in 1966 and we lived there until1968. My father renovated the owner's lodging. It was originally an old spacious farmhouse with a beautiful balustrade along the staircase. When tearing down part of the upstairs, a hidden kitchen was found behind a set of walls. Also, there was a coal chute located downstairs in the basement. I learned how to run a switchboard, of all things!Interesting place and part of my childhood!
The black and white photos #8 and 9th from the bottom are inside the original concession stand. This burned down and was replaced by a brick concession. Guessing in the early 60s.
Reply to Bob:There was a photo of the original Bummies behind the cash register before the Chinese last ran it. It was in the same place and was a small white wood building with (I think) a walk up window to place and pick up orders. That was torn down and the more recent building pictured was constructed. Perhaps the Baumgartners still have that framed photo if any are still in the area.
I worked at Sallan Jewelers when I was a sophomore in college at WMU. I remember Mr .Jaffe and another salesman Doug ( I think). I really enjoyed working there. Such fond memories of Northland Shopping Center. JoAnne.
My grandmother was Odessa Fox. The Fox Den was on M28 & S Hulbert Rd. The Mack Jo was kitty corner from the Fox Den.A couple of the cabins still stand on the property.
My grandmother was Odessa Fox. The Fox Den was on M28 & S Hulbert Rd. The Mack Jo was kitty corner from the Fox Den.A couple of the cabins still stand on the property.
I played keybords for Ray and the shane dells the house band for the castle until we split up and it was fun times
I find it interesting that the KFC used the same sign supports from the Ramona for their own sign, located on the south side of the property. This sign has since been removed.
I remember 2 songs they played during intermission. Does anyone else???
The small by modern standards grain elevator closed because of the railroad line serving it was basically abondoned and the scale was too small for modern trucks. When it was sold by the last owners to operate it they made it a condition of the sale that it never be used as an elevator again.
Ran from 2012-2015 (?) under promotor Jeff Parrish. Sat vacant for a few short years, then was bought and promoted by John Ainsworth and Donnie Ritter. Currently known as Springport Mid-Michigan Speedway.
After the few short years in the early Y2K era (2006-2008 I think, but don't quote me) under promotor Ralph Warning (Galesburg speedway), Bob Garret took over the roll as promotor, still under ownership of Denny Donaldson, and ran it through 2021. Tim Wilber (and family) took over as the new owner / promotor in 2022.
There was an old farmhouse on the left of the diner (auto parts bldg.). It was tore down in the 80's. The bathroom was upstairs.
i believe berg's superette was a few miles south of here on 23, renamed to lakeside superette.here is the google street view of the lakeside.https://www.google.com/maps/@44.5120304,-83.3204579,3a,75y,288.92h,84.02t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFLYWEzm9slb9S6Ua25Z3nA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
This motel looks like it has been converted to apartments as of June 2023. It is no longer listed in any local directories and the listed phone number no longer works.
Just South of that location at the corner of Sumpter and Oakville-Waltz Road is the remnants of a Shell gas station. It makes me wonder how busy that area was in the past to warrant this type of businesses as well as other former business dotting Sumpter Road. I realize that they were likely built pre-I-275 but they appear out of place today, for me anyway.
I think your primary location is correct.I have a family photo taken summer of '68 or 69.There is a row of trees in the background that outlines the river.That would not be present in your alternate location.I believe the river was used to fill the pond.You fished for the trout with a cane pole that had a leather bead for bait.They would throw food in and the trout would swarm around snagging your bait. Was like "fish in a barrel,: but those trout were awesome when my mom cooked them at our campsite! I grew up in the Detroit suburbs (Mount Clemens) and the two tent camping trips we took to the UP are the reason I live in the UP today. I have some additional photos if you are interested.
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