LUDINGTON, Mich. (Michigan Back Roads) – Just outside of Ludington is the Historic White Pine Village. The village depicts life in a small Michigan community of the late 1800s to the early 1900s. The complex sits on 23 acres and is an especially good trip for kids. They can run off some of that energy in an educational venue. The intention of the village board is to provide “an historical and educational experience for visitors in an atmosphere of nostalgia, serenity, and beauty”. They have succeeded.

As of this writing, the village has 29 buildings. Many are authentic historic structures, reflecting life in Mason County in pioneer times. The main building offers a short video that is worth watching. Then you take the self-guided tour through the village. The buildings are open and often have an audio playing that explains the exhibits in detail. There are thousands of artifacts and displays including a one room schoolhouse, chapel, blacksmith, music museum, and an ice cream parlor that still serves ice cream. In addition to this, the museum has two unique, rare exhibits.

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One is an extremely rare electric Opera Car once owned by the Cartier family. An opera car has unusual design features. The front has a broad windshield. There is one bench seat in the front that goes all the way across the car. This seat was designed to accommodate the large skirts of evening gowns of the period. A lady could ride comfortably to the evening entertainment without wrinkling her gown. The driver sat in a single seat in the rear of the car and steered by means of a tiller, connected to a single rear wheel.

Gossip has a way of affecting a person’s reputation, even years after the supposed event. Some said that Mrs. Cartier enjoyed taking the opera car for a spin or to go downtown shopping. Her driving skills were such that, when folks heard she was on the road, most people went inside since even the sidewalks were not considered safe.

Another unique feature of the village is Vintage Base Ball. Back in the day it was spelled with two words, baseball, and the rules were a bit different. A vintage baseball diamond has been set up in the northwest portion of the village. Players, called ballists believe it or not, put on period uniforms and play the game as it was originally meant to be played. The team known as The Ludington Mariners act as traveling ambassadors playing matches, games, at home at the village and across Michigan. They play by 1860 rules that are a bit different. Some “vintage” rules are, fielders do not use gloves, a fly ball caught on the first bounce is an out, the umpire doesn’t call balls and strikes, and it is the duty of the pitcher to throw the ball so it’s easy for the batter to hit it. By the way, the pitcher was called a Hurler and the batter a Striker.

There is a lot to take in at the Historic White Pine Village. It is definitely more than just a quick stop. The village is closed in the winter.

Directions: Ludington is on Lake Michigan about an hour and a half north of Grand Rapids. To get to the White Pine Village, take the Pere’ Marquette Hwy. south 2 miles from the Mason County Airport, then west on Iris Road 1 ½ miles, then north ½ mile on South Lakeshore Dr.