Did You Know There Are Castle Ruins In This Northern Michigan Forest?

There are so many places in Michigan that are filled with wonder and mystery. Michigan has such an interesting and storied past that no matter where you go, there’s usually a very cool historical fact about the area.

One area in particular is in the northern part of the lower peninsula, where it is said that deep in the forest near the Au Sable River, there is a plot of land that hosts the remains of a former castle-like mansion, which was built in the late 1920s.

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The man who built the castle was actually the son of William Durant, the founder of General Motors. Russell Durant, also known as Cliff, apparently built this mansion before the great depression and was going to be one of the most lavish homes in the area.

Lost in Michigan wrote about it and detailed what started off as a beautiful idea but ended in tragedy.

Sadly, the couple never got a chance to live in the house. In 1931, when painters were adding the final coat of paint to one of the rooms, they stopped to take a break. While going to nearby Roscommo, the house caught fire and burned. It was believed that some turpentine-soaked rags caught fire and created the blaze that destroyed the home. Because of the Great Depression, the Durants decided not to rebuild the house.

 

Where Are The Remains of The Castle Near the Au Sable River?

It's hard to determine where the castle once stood because the author doesn't exactly indicate the precise area, but does say that it's now a picnic area within the Mason Tract.

You can apparently still see some remnants of the castle protruding from the ground, so if you're able to locate it, maybe spill the beans. Always remember, it's illegal to trespass on private property, and we in no way condone trespassing to find this area.