By Lillian Reiner
Wyoming-Kentwood News Today Contributor
greer@wktv.org
The Haunted History Trail of Michigan is calling all history buffs, self-proclaimed ghost hunters, and anyone interested in a paranormal sighting or two. With eight locations in three cities around Michigan, this experience is not limited to October – the sites are open year-round.
The Haunted History Trail started in New York State in 2013 when a rural tourism organization, working with marketing agency Travel Alliance Partnership, seized the opportunity to build a tourism experience around a local haunted attraction.
“That idea grew into a collaborative program connecting communities and their haunted histories statewide, with experiences ranging from dining and overnight stays to guided tours and paranormal investigations,” said Trail Manager Riley Kruer.
The Haunted History Trail of New York is the first statewide paranormal tourism program of its kind, and they’re looking to expand into other states. Michigan marks the first expansion of the trail outside of New York due to existing connections with local tourism organizations and its plethora of history and unexplainable occurrences as another Great Lakes State.
Eight sites in three cities
The Trail includes stops in or near Kalamazoo, Coldwater and the Keewanaw Peninsula. Keewanaw is home to the Calumet Theatre, Calumet Air Force Station, and the Beech House. Kalamazoo houses Stuart Manor and Bishop’s Bog in nearby Portage. The Branch District Library and Oak Grove Cemetery are found in Coldwater, and McCourtie Park is in nearby Cement City.
“Unexplainably vanished over Lake Superior”
Each stop offers a unique history and opportunities for exploration beyond the folklore and supernatural sightings surrounding them. At the Calumet Air Force Station, visitors can take a free tour of the base that housed more than 200 military personnel and their families during the Cold War, and learn more about the role it played in the Kinross Incident, when a fighter jet and an unidentified aircraft unexplainably vanished over Lake Superior.
Bishop’s Bog
Bishop’s Bog is a relic of the last Ice Age, and the largest remaining wetland of its kind in Southern Michigan. Guests may come to catch a glimpse of the flickering will-o’-the-wisp lights that are said to hover above the bog, leading some travelers home, and others to an unfortunate demise, and leave having witnessed a piece of history preserved for thousands of years.
“We start with the place and its history, then share the local folklore and reported experiences associated with it,” Kruer shared. “The mystery might draw someone in, but we want them to leave knowing more about the people and events that shaped these communities.”
Each attraction operates under different hours, and some require reservations while others are open for self-guided tours, so it’s important to check the website for visiting information.
Just the beginning
Kruer emphasized that these eight locations are the starting collection, and the focus in 2027 will be on connecting with additional tourism partners to bring more communities and experiences into the trail.
The goal of the trail is to introduce visitors to communities they might not otherwise visit.
“Someone might come for a ghost story, and leave with a deeper appreciation for a historic building, a community, or a piece of Michigan’s past,” Kruer said. Additionally, having a stop on the trail generates business for local restaurants, shops, and hotels, as exploring a site becomes a reason to stay overnight, eat downtown, and explore other attractions nearby.
Kruer says to think of it like a wine trail – there’s no single route one must follow. Visitors can build their own trip, choosing stops based on their interests and comfort level.
“There’s room for believers and skeptics alike; you don’t have to reach the same conclusion about the paranormal to appreciate the history and enjoy the visit.”
Visit Explore – Haunted History Trail of Michigan to learn more about each location, experience ghostly events taking place around Michigan leading up to Halloween, and to plan your trip to experience the paranormal spectacles for yourself.