Mystery Hunting: The Mystery Spot
WHAT ARE WE DISCOVERING THIS MONTH?
Something for you.
More than a tourist trap!
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THE MYSTERY SPOT
The Mystery Spot is a small tourist attraction along US2. My entire life, I have driven past it on family trips, often not giving it much thought. As a child, stopping at McDonald’s was a bigger priority when we reached St. Ignace. Not that my siblings and I didn’t ask to make a pit stop at The Mystery Spot, but the answer was usually no as we were on a time schedule to reach Grand Rapids by dinner time.
It wasn’t until I was older that I realized The Mystery Spot was more than just a tourist trap. It was an anomaly. One of many scattered across the United States.
Also called gravity hills, these are places of optical illusions. Things appear to move uphill and against gravity. You can balance impossible things. Two people can stand next to each other and one will appear taller. When they switch, the other is now taller.
Many of these spots were popularized during the Great Depression. The most famous one is in Santa Cruz, California and goes by the same name as Michigan’s. It was discovered in 1930. The one in St. Ignace was reported to be discovered in the 1950’s. Three surveyors from California were exploring the Upper Peninsula. They came across an area of around 300 feet in diameter where their instruments wouldn’t work. They also became light-headed and queasy, which many visitors of the attraction today will claim to feel as well.
THE APPEAL OF THE MYSTERY SPOT
While we do know the tricks behind mystery spots and gravity hills that make them work, that doesn’t dilute their appeal. There is something about optical illusions that fascinate us. We know what is real and not, but optical illusions play a trick on reality.
And I believe we love that because it speaks to our desire for the fantastic. They bring a smile to our faces and let us dream of impossible things. If a ball can roll up a hill, what else is possible?
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE MYSTERY SPOT?
Have you ever been to a mystery spot? Is there one in your area?
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Thank you for reading.
Until next time, stay spooked!
~Patricia J.L.
I figured it’s been a while since I’ve done a shameless shill like this. 😜
I went to the one in Michigan as a kid. And probably a couple in other states. I thought they were fun and entertaining at the time. Sort of like a stationary carnival ride.
We don't have a mystery spot. But we do have an Oak-Ash tree, in a field between two villages nearby. It's said that two lovers, one from Peckleton and one from Earl Shilton, were forbidden from marrying, so they planted an acorn and an ash key halfway between their homes. And the trees grew and fused together. Pretty neat, although they're slowly strangling each other and won't live as long as normal. There's a metaphor in there somewhere...