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Last year, we posted a story about when Center Road was built back in the 1940s (read it here). The story originated from the Boursaw family archives, when we came across some pictures of my husband Tim’s grandpa, Wellington Gray Draper, who was a project manager with the Michigan State Highway Department.
While some of the photo locations were easily recognizable, namely near the intersection of Center Road and Seven Hills Road, there was one photo that sent Tim and I on an expedition around the Old Mission Peninsula trying to figure out where it was taken. (Full disclosure: Driving around the Peninsula is one of our favorite things to do.)
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We did finally figure it out. Partly when I had a lightbulb moment about where it might be located, and partly when we ran across the person who now lives there and confirmed that it was indeed their house.
We thought it might be fun to put the question out to you, dear readers, to see if you know where the photo was taken. Again, this was taken in the 1940s somewhere on the Old Mission Peninsula, and things may have changed a bit between then and now.
The first person to correctly name the location will win a greeting card from OMPstore.com (check them out here). (The folks who live there are excluded from the contest!)
If you know, leave a comment below.
SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So I started my own newspaper.
Because Old Mission Gazette is a "Reader Supported Newspaper" -- meaning it exists because of your financial support -- I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks our way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the OMP. In a time when local news is becoming a thing of the past, supporting an independent community newspaper is more important now than ever. Thank you so much for your support! -Jane Boursaw, Editor/Publisher, Old Mission Gazette
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Is it Smokey Hollow Rd?
Think a little farther to the west on the OMP, and west of Center Road. Also keep in mind that what’s in the photo might be a bit different than what’s there now, but one thing in the photo is still there today. 🙂
Center Road by Carroll Road.
Great guess, but think a little farther north on the OMP, and west of Center Road.
It looks a lot like the Warren farm on top of gray Rd. It is located on the north side of gray Rd overlooking west bay. Once owned by Elmer and Marion Warren. Could that be it?
Great guess, but a little too south. Think a bit farther north on the OMP, and west of Center Road.
Holmes farm north of the Tavern south of Old Mission Rd. Across 37 from Lavender farm. Photo looking northwest.
Great guess, and that’s what we thought, too, until we ran into the owner of the property. Think a little farther west and south, Brendan.
About a mile west of Center Road and Old Mission Road.
Think a little farther west and a little farther south, Mary. Also keep in mind that the current location may not look exactly like what’s in the photo – but part of what’s in the photo is still there. 🙂
Old Mission Rd just east of Center. First home on right, south side of the road
Think west and a little south, Hannah. 🙂 Also keep in mind that the current location may not look exactly like what’s in the photo – but part of what’s in the photo is still there.
Island view Rd, across from fruit market?
Great guess, but not quite there. Think north, as the crow flies, a few miles…
Whitney/Mary Lyons Island View Rd.
Good guess! Think north a few miles, as the crow flies.