Ever found a piece of history buried beneath your feet? In Michigan, treasures await! Dive into a world where history, mystery, and discovery collide. Ready to uncover Michigan’s hidden gems? Let’s explore!
I’ve been a metal detectorist for over 12 years, and like my fellow enthusiasts, there are particular items I always hope to discover during our searches.
The success in finding these coveted items largely hinges on the quality of pre-detection research.
A thorough understanding of the area and its specific characteristics significantly boosts the chances of unearthing valuable pieces.
Michigan, for instance, offers unique opportunities for metal detectorists. I’ve had the pleasure of exploring this state and connecting with local experts, gaining insights into the array of treasures that can be found there.
Their shared knowledge, combined with my personal discoveries, attests to the rewarding experience that awaits metal-detecting enthusiasts in Michigan.
Here are the best metal detecting finds in Michigan,
- Gold Coins
- Historical Artifacts
- Native American Artifacts
- Shipwreck Treasures
- Military Artifacts
But there’s a lot more to know about treasures you can find in Michigan!
The findings mentioned above are so easy to uncover during metal detecting sessions in Michigan using the right techniques.
In this article, I will explore the best metal detecting finds in Michigan in detail with the exact locations sharing the personal experience I gathered during the time I spent there.
Plus, I will share the tips and tricks for a good metal detecting session in Michigan based on the info collected from the local detectors.
So, without further due, let us jump straight in!
Best Metal Detecting Finds in Michigan
These metal-detecting finds can be detected from various places, mostly from the beach areas of Michigan state.
These beach areas are open for metal detecting most of the time. Still, getting permission or legal clearances from the county councils or any other legal officer regarding metal detecting is better.
Another special thing for Michigan is that if you find some artifact or a coin older than a hundred years, you must return that to Michigan.
With these kinds of rules and regulations, you have to obey them and know about them before entering into metal detecting in Michigan.
1. Gold Coins
The geographical features of Michigan mostly dominated the spread of gold and gold coins in the state of Michigan.
The state is rich in hunting grounds and freshwater resources, so the early native Americans thought this was a perfect settlement opportunity.
So, they set their camps and settlements near these areas, mostly around the areas of Michigan nowadays.
With these people settling here, they started their daily activities and exchanges, leaving many traces and gold coins behind.
Metal detectors can easily detect these types of coins.
So make sure not to miss any spot during metal detecting in areas where there were earlier settlements because you might miss a chance to find a potential gold coin.
Apart from gold coins, if you are lucky, you can find some gold in Michigan, too. Michigan has a rich mining history, with copper and iron leading mining operations.
There was also interest among the locals back in the time for gold.
You can still find some gold pieces in the mines, but this could be very hard because these gold will be very small.
This is a safer option than gold coins because the coins are dated for more than a century. You might have to return them to the government.
Here are some of the places that you can try to find out gold and gold coins in Michigan,
- Upper Peninsula along the Ishpeming, Marquette, and Keweenaw areas. These areas are historically known for gold deposits, and some gold mines are present.
- Michigan Gold Camp, which is situated near the town of Manton. A very popular destination among all the melted detecting enthusiasts
- Marengo River, located in the upper peninsula, has been home to small-scale gold mining activities.
- Caledonia Copper Mine is located in the Ontagon area. Even though the name suggests that it is primarily a copper mine, this mine has also yielded a good amount of gold.
- Lake Superior Shoreline has also recorded some findings of gold and some alluvial deposits.
Check out the Best Places to Metal Detect in Michigan!
2. Historical Artifacts
Michigan also has a rich historical background.
With their ties to the automobile industry and other interesting historical references, the items uncovered in Michigan would always be important in the historical aspect.
When I was in Michigan, I learned that the Ford company, owned by Mr. Henry Ford, was in Detroit.
As the locals say, this helped to build the Michigan state economically during those times.
Then, shortly after, another automobile company was established in Flint, General Motors Company.
Along with Ford Motors and various other industrial activities, these companies have built the economy of Michigan state in the past.
During the great depression, these companies were massively affected, and people lost their jobs and livelihoods.
This led to catastrophic events, making these companies go bankrupt and close their doors.
Closing the doors of these companies was a hard thing for the owners as well as the locals.
Because of their importance, these areas are still intact in the original places that they were and now have mostly become ghost towns in Michigan.
Here are the areas that you should try out in Michigan to find these incredible historical artefacts,
- Mackinac Islands: These areas have continuous habitation of people, leaving traces of the industrial past. One special location you should pay attention to while in Mackinac islands is Michilimackinac, where you can discover stuff from the 18th century.
- Fayette Historic District: this area offers different artefacts and instruments from the iron smelting era in the mid-1800s.
Apart from these locations, you could look in the abandoned ghost towns and other LD homesteads.
You could uncover some of these areas’ most interesting stuff about early settlements and industrial eras.
3. Native American Artifacts
There is a rich history of native American settlement in Michigan, too.
As in the early ages, due to abundant freshwater reserves and areas to hunt, native American people were attracted to the areas of Michigan.
Then, they lived there for several years. In the early 1800s, the French Indian War affected the native Indian people highly.
They were forced to leave their inhabitant sites and fight for their land. They died and lost countless lives, saving their land.
With this history, there are abundant old native Indian artifacts to be found and uncovered in the northwestern areas of Michigan.
Anyone interested in finding this stuff and having something of historical and antique value, I suggest you visit the places mentioned below. I have visited these places and have had massive success in finding stuff like arrowheads, metallic bullets, knives, old Indian household items, and much more stuff.
- Sault St. Marie Community near the border of Canada: This tribe was controlling trading between Canada and themselves. You could find artifacts belonging to Native people and some rare coins and currency.
- Bay Mills Indian Community Near Brimley: This community is in the state’s upper peninsula. With a strong cultural heritage, you could find the remaining s of these cultural artifacts through metal detecting.
- Nattawaseppi Huron Band in Fulton: This community was located near Fulton. Offers a large cultural and historical view of the life of native people. Various items, including jewelers, cutters, household items, statues, artifacts, and weapon parts, can be found by metal detecting in these areas.
4. Shipwreck Treasures
There have been different shipwrecks on the coasts of Michigan. Time and time again, some stuff has been washed ashore from these shipwrecks even today.
And apart from that, there are legends and stories among the locals of hidden treasures in Michigan.
The stories date back to the 1600s when locals claimed that pirates used Michigan as a port and used to bury treasures in the state.
One of the more prominent stories that every local believes in is the story of the Lost Treasure of High Island.
The story goes that there was a large dump of gold being buried 30 paces from a large tree. But no one knows exactly where this large tree lies or is located.
Another popular story that locals believe in is the story of the Lost Treasure of Berlanquette. Berlenquette was a saloon owner in the Sand Bay area.
According to locals, during his time, he inherited much fortune from his ancestors, as he didn’t believe in any bank at that time.
The locals believed he might have buried the treasure somewhere in his land.
There have been multiple search operations to find out about the treasure of Berlanquette, but up to now, no one has been successful.
Apart from the legends and stories, here are some of the areas you should try out during the low tide times because there might be some treasure washed ashore from the shipwrecks.
And if you fancy going underwater to search, I suggest you wear special gear and equipment and take care of your safety more than anything else,
- Algoma Shipwreck: Located in Thunder Bay Island off the coast of Alpena
- Carl D. Bradley Shipwreck: Located off the coast of Gulliver
- Cornelia B. Windiate Shipwreck: Off the coast of Glen Arbor
5. Military Artifacts
Michigan is a state that has been battered with battles and conflicts over time in history.
The first known battles run back to the times of the early 1800s, and the last historically important battle contribution from the state of Michigan was during World War I.
With such a rich history in military activities, there are various forts, camps, bunkers, homesteads, and many more buildings related to military activities scattered all over the state.
By searching in these areas, you can uncover something useful and sentimental belonging to one of these battles.
As I visited mostly the shores and beach areas of the states, I was able to witness some of the earlier battle sites. One such important battle site was River Raisin Battlefield Park.
This is now converted into a park and is protected by the government due to its historical importance.
During the 1812 battle between British forces and Native Americans, this was a significant battle site.
As we all know, in the battle of River Raisin, many lives were lost, and ultimately, the Americans were defeated by the British forces.
During my time in the park, I was able to find some pieces of arrowheads and some musket balls belonging to the battle.
Apart from the River Raisin National Park, there are different other locations you can metal detect to find some military artifacts.
Here are some locations you should definitely try out,
- Fort Michillimackinac: belonging to the French-British Colonial era. The battle was between native Americans and the allied troops over the ownership of land.
- Civil War Sites: there are different Civil War sites scattered all over the state of Michigan. The state of Michigan is known for its Iron Brigade and the Cavalry Bridge during the Civil War times.
- Fort Gratiot: This is one of the posts built during the Civil War era. The site also includes a lighthouse and served as a strategic location during the Civil War period.
- Camp Custer Training Center: this is a training centre which trained American soldiers for World War I.
You could be able to find some miss-fired bullets, musket balls, arrowheads and other different military-related artefacts in these locations.
Even though you are excited to find stuff and claim it, it is better to always check with the local authorities for the legality of owning this stuff because, ultimately, we don’t need to harm anyone or any culture.
That’s it folks! Now you know all the best metal detecting finds in Michigan with the locations they can find.
Apart from the treasures given above there’s a chance of detecting some other treasures as well because Michigan is filled with historic places and events.
Now, I’m going to share with you tips that I have learned during the time I spent in Michigan and tips I gathered from local expert detectorists which make your metal detecting journey in Michigan a lot easier.
I can guarantee the below tips will take your metal-detecting knowledge about Michigan to the next level because they came from the experts’ mouths.
Just keep reading!
Tips for Metal Detecting in Michigan
Here are some of the tips and tricks that I used during my time metal detecting in Michigan.
Target High Traffic Areas
Targeting high-traffic areas could have the maximum output during metal-detecting sessions.
As people constantly visit these areas, there are more chances of stuff being lost than in a normal environment.
Some of the highly visited areas in Michigan are the Great Lakes, beaches, state parks, national parks, and playgrounds.
Read to know, Best State Parks in Michigan for Metal Detecting!
Join a Metal Detecting Club
If you are planning to have a thorough metal detecting session in the state of Michigan, it is important to join a metal detecting club or a metal detecting forum.
These can help you to find better locations for metal detecting, and the seniors of the clubs will share their experiences with you.
Be Prepared For Any Situation
Michigan experiences highly variable weather conditions.
So you better be ready for every weather condition so that you can continue your metal-detecting session without interruptions.
Respect State Laws
Always respect the state laws and regulations.
These will help you get out of any legal trouble as well as help the dignity of the metal-detecting community.
Michigan is a hotspot for finding shipwreck treasures, with countless artifacts from sunken vessels hidden beneath its waters and shores, waiting to be discovered.
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So, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
FAQs
Is there a legal requirement to report finds that are over a century old in Michigan?
Yes, in Michigan, if you find an artifact or coin that’s more than 100 years old, it must be reported and returned to the state, ensuring that significant historical items are preserved for educational and cultural purposes.
Can I metal detect on Michigan’s beaches?
Metal detecting is generally permitted on Michigan’s beaches, but it’s always advisable to check specific regulations and obtain necessary permissions from county councils or legal officers to avoid any legal complications.
Are there areas in Michigan known for gold findings?
Yes, areas such as the Upper Peninsula, Michigan Gold Camp near Manton, Marengo River, Caledonia Copper Mine, and Lake Superior Shoreline have historical and ongoing reports of gold and gold coin discoveries.
Where can I find Native American artifacts in Michigan?
Native American artifacts can often be found in places like Sault St. Marie Community, Bay Mills Indian Community near Brimley, and Nottawaseppi Huron Band in Fulton, all rich in cultural and historical artifacts.
Are there shipwrecks with treasures in Michigan?
Indeed, Michigan’s coasts have several shipwrecks, like Algoma, Carl D. Bradley, and Cornelia B. Windiate. Stories of pirates burying treasures and the legends of lost treasures like that of High Island and Berlanquette also persist.
Where can I find military artifacts in Michigan?
Military artifacts can be found at historic battle sites and forts across Michigan, including River Raisin Battlefield Park, Fort Michilimackinac, Civil War Sites, Fort Gratiot, and the Camp Custer Training Center.
Is it beneficial to join a metal detecting club in Michigan?
Yes, joining a metal detecting club in Michigan can offer new insights, shared experiences, and access to exclusive detecting locations, making your treasure hunting journey more fruitful and enjoyable.
How should I prepare for changing weather conditions while metal detecting in Michigan?
It’s essential to be equipped for variable weather conditions; always check the weather forecast and carry appropriate gear to ensure your metal detecting activities are uninterrupted and safe.
What are some tips for successful metal detecting in Michigan?
Target high-traffic areas like Great Lakes, beaches, and parks, join a metal detecting club to gain insights and support, prepare for variable weather, and always respect state laws and regulations to ensure a positive metal detecting experience.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Best Metal Detecting Finds in Michigan
In this article, I’ve deeply discussed the best metal detecting finds in Michigan in detail with the locations they could find with expert tips.
Best metal detecting finds in Michigan include treasures like gold coins near Upper Peninsula, historical artifacts in Mackinac Islands, Native American items in Sault St. Marie, shipwreck treasures along the coastline, and military relics at River Raisin Battlefield Park. Respect state laws and consider joining local clubs for the best experience.
Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions as well.
I hope I covered everything you wanted to know about the best metal detecting finds in Michigan.
Now it’s time to plan a trip to the locations that are mentioned in the article and go treasure hunting in Michigan like a pro!
