Holy Family Orphans Home, Marquette, MI
-UPDATE- I last visited the orphanage in the summer of 2008. At that time, I saw that there was power on in the building, there were work lights strung down the hallways, and piles of rubbish stacked at various locations as if the building was being cleaned out. As a result of this latest development, we felt the best course of action was not to enter the building.
I have done some research online via the Mining Journal's website, a local newspaper in the Marquette, MI area. From what I understand, the building is still owned by Roger Rinne of Arizona, however, a purchase agreement has been signed with Treasure Lampi of Marquette. She currently runs a performing arts school in Marquette, and plans to rehabilitate the orphanage with donations, grants, and help from volunteers. The cleanup activities we saw were a result of her work. She plans to open the Upper Peninsula School of Performing Arts at this site.
As of July 2009, the actual purchase hasn't gone through, as the owner is still listed as Roger Rinne and the city is perusing legal action against him as the building is currently unsafe and an eyesore. Their intent is to have him rehabilitate the building or have it torn down to remove the blight conditions. The court date is currently set for August 13, 2009./-UPDATE-The Holy Family Orphans Home is located at 600 Altamont St in Marquette, MI. The building has been vacant since 1981. Since then, the property has changed hands numerous times, seized for back taxes, reacquired, etc. The current owner, Roger Rinne of Arizona, is constantly in default in the property taxes, only paying them at the last minute to prevent the city from foreclosing on the property.
The orphanage was opened in 1915 and was closed in 1965. There are many rumors of children being beaten and killed at the orphanage. It is even said that the building is haunted, with the surrounding residents claiming to hear and witness weird occurrences in the building. One striking story of the orphanage is that one winter, a child was playing outside in a blizzard/snowstorm, and caught pneumonia, which lead to her death. When she died, her body was displayed on a table for all the orphans to see as a lesson of why not to play outside.
I have searched through some records at NMU, and I have been contacted by one former inhabitant of the orphanage, none of their stories confirm these legends. All first hand accounts that I have found regarding the orphanage take on a positive role. I believe these legends are examples of urban myths created over the years from the building being abandoned. If anyone does know of a reputable source of information that confirms or explains these myths, I would love to know of it.
I was in the building in August of 2003, and took numerous photos of the interior. There are about 78 pictures total. Take a peak for yourself. As there has been recent cleanup work, I'm sure interior now looks different.
Photos:
Click here for photos from August 2003
njp -- 05 November 2003
Last Updated: 21 July 2009
InsaneBoi.com@gmail.com