My buddy Jack and I go back about 20 years. Really close for 4-5, then life happens. Since then, we still get together pretty much every year for a nice ride+lunch. I figured it would be a good excuse to move the Michigan Phototag (over at .n) since it was in an area I don't ride a lot.
We met down in Three Rivers and headed to Cassopolis. The phototagwas there. It's pretty cool- a fully restored (complete with vehicles and all details) Sinclair gas station. Pictures:
Inside the police car:
It's pretty cool. Here's an article with some details about what the owner did. He opens it up some nights and weekends:
http://www.leaderpub.com/2012/02/01/sinclair-station-restored/After that we headed towards Benton Harbor. I heard a story on NPR a couple months ago about "The House of David", a unique religious group from the early 1900's. They had some unique views on things, but in essence were a commune of Jewish-like religious people, but all vegetarian with long beards. They beleived string in physical activity and even had a traveling baseball team:
Anyway, after a big sex scandal in the 20's, the group split and was restarted by Mary Purnell. So when you go to Benton Harbor in essence you have two communes right next to each other- the original "Israelite House of David" that I understand is not very religious anymore yet has lots of money, they are on the north side of Britain Avenue( you can't get into the gated commune/massive house area):
https://goo.gl/maps/f5REhYU9F592
and the far larger, "newer" commune on the south side of Britain Avenue, "Mary City House of David":
https://goo.gl/maps/FwXrP9Hx8XK2This place has open streets and historical signs everywhere:
The Vegetarian restaurant:
The commune homes:
If you're at all like me, I find these local historical places fascinating. The story, and people, all of it. My understanding is that the current Mary's City House of David still has many followers that live there, but sadly the museum was closed when we were there- it is run by members. I was interested in chatting with them!
Here's some links if you want some more reading. I tend to "rabbit hole" into these things:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_David_(commune)http://www.mlive.com/sports/jackson/index.ssf/2011/10/house_of_davids_baseball_histo.htmlhttp://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/john-carlisle/2016/11/13/house-of-david-benton-harbor/93069448/I found the whole thing fascinating.
