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It’s been awhile since we last explored Michigan’s interior. And recently, I’ve been craving a change of scenery so I started looking for a unique place to visit. Then, an opportunity popped up to go on a weekend getaway to Alma & St Louis, Michigan. How could I say no?
If you’re also looking for somewhere new to explore within Michigan’s interior, consider traveling to Alma & St Louis. Below I provide details into these two “twin towns”, our travel itinerary, and information on the sights you can check out here.
~History of Alma & St Louis ~
The Chippewa Native tribe lived in this area prior to European descendent settlers moved to the area. In 1853, Alma and St. Louis were settled by Gen. Ralph Ely and Joseph W. Clapp, respectively.
Alma
Alma, has a pretty simple and uncontroversial history. In 1858 it received its name. After Ely settled in the area and built a saw mill; a flour mill, wool mill, and roller mill popped up, attracting additional settlers. Following that, schools were formed, then a post office, and hotels and various services. In 1886, Alma College was founded and affiliated by the Presbyterian Church. Originally known as “the Presbyterians” – this name was changed to “the Scots” in the 1930s. Since then, Alma College and eventually, the town embraced Scottish traditions. Then, in 1968, the first Alma Highland Festival was held at the end of May. This festival attracts thousands of spectators to Alma to watch the parade, pageant, traditional heavyweight sports like a caber toss, bag pipe performance, and Highland Dance competition.
St Louis
On the other hand, St. Louis has an interesting and quite colorful history. In 1868, residents drilling for salt in the area instead uncovered mineral water with magnetic, ‘healing’ powers. Word spread about the spring and wealthy people from all over the country traveled to St. Louis and its healing waters. At one point, a couple luxury hotels, opera house, and high end restaurants opened up to accommodate them. This also led to the railroad setting up a station in town.
From then until the 70’s, St. Louis was a boom town attracting several industries – including the founding of Michigan Chemical that produced DDT until its effectiveness and side effects were questioned. Then in the 1960s, Velsicol Chemical bought out Michigan Chem on the banks of the Pine River and started manufacturing a flame retardant Firemaster and cattle feed Nutrimaster. In 1973, Velsicol ran out of Firemaster bags and used the bags for the cattle feed, which eventually caused a massive problem when these bags were shipped out as cattle feed across Michigan. This led to hundreds of cattle slaughtered and $200 million in lawsuits filed.
Then the Michigan Department of Natural Resources stepped in and uncovered widespread pollution of the Pine River by Velsicol. They and the Environmental Protection Agency found the entire property toxic and polluted. The plant was dismantled and buried in thick clay to cap the pollution over the property and riverbed. This site is Michigan’s largest Superfund Site and is fenced off with signs warning of the dangers of trespassing. However it is important to note that the Pine River and the St. Louis community are safe.
~ Weekend Getaway to Alma & St Louis Map ~
~ Weekend Getaway to Alma & St Louis Summary ~
When: Weekend in Spring
Why: My friend suggested I come check out her town for a day trip & invited me to stay in her camper she just listed on Airbnb. Since I’ve never explored this area of Michigan before, it was a must for me!
Time Traveled (one way): 1.5 hours from Grand Rapids, 2 hours from Detroit, 2 hours from Kalamazoo, 50 minutes from Lansing, 2-2.5 hours from Traverse City
Time Spent at Destination: overnight stay and all day
Budget: $$ – overnight stay, food, gas
What We Did During the Weekend Getaway to Alma & St Louis
After a few months of day trips, we decided to go away for the weekend to Alma & St. Louis. My friend Cassondra made that decision even easier when she invited us over to test out her new-to-her camper she was about to list on Airbnb as a glamping experience. So once we arrived in Alma on a Friday evening, we enjoyed our time catching up by the fire and relaxing.
But day two, boy it was on! From the moment we woke up, until the time we left that evening, we saw so many things. First we fueled up for the day with breakfast at Petticoat Junction. Following that, we hit up a couple roadside attractions and an historic village in the neighboring town St. Louis. Then, we traveled 30 minutes north to Clare to check out Yoder’s Amish Flea Market and Quilt Auction. Once that wound down, we headed to downtown Alma to explore its downtown historic district and marvel over some of the unique architectural gems there.
Where We Stayed
If you’re…
- Looking for a great place to glamp…
- A little unsure if camping is for you…
- On your way up north and need a great place to stay over night on the way… or
- Looking for a unique getaway in mid-Michigan…
You need to book a stay at Camp Wanders in Alma! As mentioned, my friend Cassondra listed her camper on Airbnb and invited us to try it out for the night. All of us enjoyed our stay – even Winston! The camper is attached to power and water so if you want to prepare a meal, refrigerate something, use the bathroom, shower, you can!
Camp Wanders is located within walking or biking distance from downtown Alma. It’s also on a large piece of land so when you wake up and step outside, you can take in the beautiful natural surroundings. If you stay during the weekday, you may hear or see a train go by as its also close to the train tracks.
Finally, Camp Wanders is furnished beautifully. This is definitely not your parents camper! Cassondra found it important to decorate the camper as if it were a second home with little touches to delight those staying here, like flowers and a personalized sign. Bonus! There’s also a fully stocked coffee bar.
Also, be sure to check out here website here. It is a great resource if you’re planning a trip to Mackinac Island, as she’s spent 8 summer’s living on the island.
Other Things to Explore
- Block House is one of the newest restaurants in the area, and it’s opened to rave reviews. The menu is American, European, and Asian, dining area modern, and there’s a gaming area for kids and adults to enjoy.
- Alma Brewing Company – Alma has its own craft brewery! Besides beer they have an extensive menu with a number of appetizers and sandwiches.
- Highland Blush is a cute coffeeshop and café also in downtown Alma. And if you need a caffeine boost a little later in the day, they’re open until 7pm Tuesday to Sunday. One thing I love about this place is its mission to be inclusive to everyone.
- Alma Farmers Market – Open every Wednesday and Saturday from 7am to 1pm between June and October, Alma’s Farmers Market is located on the corner of Pine & Downie Streets.
- Trail in Alma – Whether you want to hike or mountain bike, Alma has options! There’s a trail for mountain biking and walking along the Pine River. There is also the Fred Meijer Hartland Trail and Forest Hill Nature Trail.
- Downtown St. Louis – One place we didn’t visit when we were in St. Louis was its downtown area. Straddling Mill Street, St. Louis’ downtown has a number of shops and restaurants to explore.
- Parks with playgrounds – If you have a little one and are looking for a playground, check out Riverside Park in Alma or Leppien Park and Penny Park in St. Louis.
Recommended Items to Carry
I also recommend the brand Cabin Guy for all your glamping apparel and lifestyle needs. I personally own several tops for myself and my son from this brand. The top I’m wearing in this article is the Cuyuna Fire Short-Sleeve Unisex T-Shirt in kelly green while Winston is wearing the Cabin Guy Toddler Short Sleeve Tee in columbia blue. And if you discover you love ‘glamping’, Cabin Guy sells décor like candles, pillows, and a throw blanket. To get 20% off your first order, use the code MICHIGAN20.
~Weekend Getaway to Alma & St Louis Details ~
Petticoat Junction
Starting our day, we stopped at Petticoat Junction in northern Alma for breakfast. This diner is a popular breakfast, lunch and dinner spot with the locals. It serves classic, delicious diner fare all at a fair price! Another of the reasons we stopped here to eat is the train mural pained on one of its walls. This mural has been there for decades and at one point, there were model trains that ran around the restaurant.
Mini Mac
After breakfast our first stop was the Mini Mac Storage Center. This isn’t any ordinary storage facility; it is home to a mini replica of the Mackinac Bridge up north! There are also fish and turtles in the pond to watch. This roadside attraction is conveniently located off US 127, exit 123. It’s also free to visit and walk on.
The Middle of the Lower Peninsula
Another unique spot in St. Louis are markers indicating the exact geographic center of the lower peninsula of Michigan. There are actually three markers here each stating it’s the center. To be ultra sure you visit the correct geographic center, you better take pictures of all three! Two of the stones are dated – one states that Sidney S. Hastings placed the stone where it is located in 1876 and the other is dated both 1880 and 1962.
Also at this spot is a park and playground. The playground is quite nice with swings and other modern playground equipment. There’s also a gazebo, picnic tables, and a memorial bench dedicated to the temperance pioneers of St. Louis from the early 1900s.
To access, there is plenty of street parking available around the block the park and sign sits on.
St Louis Historic Village
This mini historic village tells the history of St. Louis at this historic train depot and historic homes. The interior of the depot and homes are open on Thursday afternoons and by appointment; however, there are informational plaques outside the buildings and around the property so it’s possible to visit at any time.
This stop is conveniently located just 2 blocks away from the middle of Michigan marker.
Yoder’s Amish Flea Market & Quilt Auction
So while most of the places we visited during this weekend getaway are in Alma and St. Louis, we did take a detour 30 minutes north to Clare. On the day we traveled, Yoder’s Farm held its annual spring Flea Market and Quilt auction. Yoder’s Farm is one of 29 Amish owned business in the Clare region. Parking costs only $1. Then you can shop from over 4,000 vendors and bid at or watch the quilt auction. Make sure to carry cash!
Another exciting perk of visiting this flea market is watching ice cream be made (see the little green machine in the photo above). And then of course, enjoying it!
If you’re interested in visiting, Yoder’s holds another Flea Market every year in September. Otherwise, check out this directory of Amish owned businesses around Clare you can visit any time.
Downtown Alma
One of my favorite things to do is walk along the ‘main street’ of each town we visit. I’m interested in architecture and public art and each town we visit has a notable building and work of art to marvel at. In Alma, we walked along Superior Street, which is their downtown.
At the corner of Gratiot and Superior is the Alma Public Building built in 1902. This building is where all of Alma’s public offices were located until 1975. It’s Richardsonian Romanesque in design with a clock tower. There’s also a Fireman’s Memorial statue and granite tablet with the 10 Commandments outside the building.
Behind Studio NINE Salon is the colorful mural pictured above. There are also a number of paintings done by local artists hung by the light posts throughout downtown Alma. If you plan on visiting over the next couple months, additional public art pieces are in the works. Be on the lookout in the alley’s and along brick walls for new murals popping up!
St Mary Catholic Church
A bucket list building to see in Michigan is the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alma. Unfortunately, this building needs over $600k worth of repairs. The future of this building is still being debated with demolition also a possibility, but highly controversial.
St. Mary’s is appreciated architecturally nationwide. Originally opened in 1970, St. Mary’s was designed by William Wesley Peters, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. In 2017, the church merged with St. Louis’ church and this building closed to await the repairs. Unfortunately the costs of the repairs are so high and progress hasn’t been made to cover the cost of the repairs.
Historic State Street
Connecting to downtown Alma is State Street, which has a number of historical and architecturally significant homes. Three of the notable homes and buildings found here include:
- The Ammi W. Wright House (1887): Of the pictures above, this house is the one needing repair with the fence around it. This house was originally build for regional lumberman and entrepreneur Ammi Wright. He lived here until he passed away in 1912. It is Richardsonian Romaneque and built out of sandstone. After Mr. Wright, the home stayed in the family for another generation, then eventually converted into a hospital and research institute.
- First Baptist Church (1880): This church building is Alma’s first brick church. Originally it was a Congregationalist Church but later became a Baptist Church.
- Saravilla Bed & Breakfast (1894): Originally, this b&b was a home built by Ammi Wright for his daughter Sara to entice her to stay near home after she married. It’s a 3 story Dutch Colonial home.
To learn more about the historic homes and buildings throughout downtown Alma, check out more on the Alma Downtown Historic District here.
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Have you spent any time in mid-Michigan?
from Michigan with Love,
Jackie
