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Michigan

Michigan has the 9th largest Lithuanian community in the USA (30 000). However, arguably, it has the most diverse Lithuanian history and heritage among American states. This is because Michigan has been home to very different Lithuanian-American communities and institutions, all that reflected in amazing Lithuanian sites that still exist all over Michigan.

In this article, we‘ll give a short introduction to each of those Lithuanian areas of Michigan and the stories behind them, as well as links to articles with extensive information. In the second part, we describe the history of Lithuanians in Michigan.

Vytautas Kareivis Aid Society building

Vytautas Kareivis Aid Society building in Grand Rapids, operating since 1910

Lithuanian areas of Michigan

1. Detroit. By the number of Lithuanian churches erected, the Detroit conurbation falls into all of America‘s top five, with five churches, each of them surrounded by other Lithuanian buildings and memorials. Lithuanians were attracted there mostly by the automobile industry ~ the 1920s-1930s. Sadly, later history has not been kind to Detroit as the city has lost its industry and population. The controversial highway-building campaign led to the demolition of two Lithuanian churches. Racial riots and white flight led to the migration of nearly all Detroit Lithuanians to the suburbs ~1960s-1980s and Lithuanian churches and clubs of the inner city closed down ~1990s-2010s as the generation that still sometimes visited the places of their youth began dying out. A unique new suburban Lithuanian hub developed in Southfield though, combining a new church and secular institutions. Lithuanians also gifted a Lithuanian Room to Wayne State University. A few of the old inner city Lithuanian buildings have been restored albeit they no longer belong to Lithuanians.

Detroit Lithuanian Hall

Detroit Lithuanian Hall (well-preserved although no longer Lithuanian-owned)

2. Grand Rapids. While Detroit is among America‘s worst stories of urban decay, Grand Rapids‘ Lithuanian district is among the least affected by it. That neighborhood underwent a slow assimilation (with the Lithuanian language being gradually replaced by English) but no hard hits of white flight. The original Lithuanian church, school, three clubs, and two cemeteries are thus all in operation, offering arguably the best surviving example of the First Wave Lithuanian-American district anywhere in the USA. In Grand Rapids, one may still get inside numerous century-old Lithuanian organizations rather than simply admire the remains of their magnificent buildings at best. Inside, you may still find many descendants of the original ~1920s Grand Rapids Lithuanians, even if these descendants now speak English and are often of only partial Lithuanian descent. By the sheer number of Lithuanians, Grand Rapids within the city limits is now #1 in Michigan (1000 in Grand Rapids vs. 400 in inner city Detroit).

Lithuanian cross in Grand Rapids Lithuanian cemetery

Lithuanian cross in Grand Rapids Lithuanian cemetery

3. Lithuanian camps. Arguably the most impressive Lithuanian heritage sites in Michigan. Originally built ~1950s as places for Lithuanian-American children to spend summers together in a Lithuanian atmosphere, they developed far beyond this original mission. Adults now come there to enjoy the „Lithuanian nature amidst America“, while generations of Lithuanian-American artists have transformed these areas by erecting various highly symbolic Lithuanian monuments and memorials. Camps „Dainava“ and „Pilėnai“ are located near Manchester and camp Rakas near Custer.

Monument for those who died for Lithuanian freedom at Pilėnai

Monument for those who died for Lithuanian freedom at Pilėnai Camp

4. Custer. Lithuanian-Americans invested their wealth into land here to build a kind of „New Lithuania“. While they have not built separate Lithuanian churches or clubs, there were so many of them, that the generic institutions and buildings often have a Lithuanian flavor (e.g. local Catholic church was built by a Lithuanian architect and incorporates Lithuanian details). Lithuanian surnames are still quite common in the area, there are a few Lithuanian street names and memorials, while descendants of settlers still manufacture the Andrulis cheese.

Andrulis cheese factory

Andrulis cheese factory in Custer area

5. Union Pier. This Lake Michigan resort has more to do with the Chicago Lithuanian community than that of Michigan as it is located on the state border with Indiana. In the 1960s-1980s, Union Pier (together with a few other nearby resorts in Indiana) became the „Lithuanian Riviera“ or the summer capital of Lithuanian America, as Chicago‘s Lithuanians would send their wives and children to spend their summers here, sometimes visiting themselves. There were as many as seven Lithuanian hotels at one time, however, as plane travel rendered tropical Florida or Hawaii easily accessible, the popularity of „Lithuanian Riviera“ plummeted, and the Lithuanian resorts closed down one by one. Closer to Chicago, in Indiana, more of the „Lithuanian Riviera“ spirit remained as the Lithuanian holidaymakers were replaced by Lithuanian retirees and commuters.

Gintaras Resort on the Lake sign

Gintaras Resort on the Lake, the last one of Lithuanian resorts (sold to non-Lithuanians ~2019)

6. Smaller cities. Several smaller cities of Michigan had Lithuanian populations, including Muskegon which still has a Lithuanian club, and Albion where a plaque commemorates Lithuanians. Nowadays, there are Lithuanian communities in many areas of Michigan, however, as these are quite new, there are no historic heritage sites.

Muskegon Lithuanian club

Muskegon Lithuanian club

History of Lithuanians in Michigan

Like elsewhere in America, Lithuanians came to Michigan in three waves.

The largest among them - the First Wave (1869-1914) - however, reached Michigan with a delay. That‘s because at the time these hundreds of thousands of Lithuanians were pouring into the USA, Michigan was still sparsely populated and offered few economic opportunities. So, instead of migrating to Michigan directly, First Wave Lithuanian-Americans typically settled down in Pennsylvania mining villages or the industrial cities of the East Coast, as well as Illinois.

Between 1899 and 1914, for example, only 3427 Lithuanians settled in Michigan, while Pennsylvania received 70019, Illinois - 47339, and New York – 37912. At the time, Grand Rapids was the main hub that attracted Lithuanians to Michigan.

As the roaring 20s were coming, though, the word was spreading about the massive new industrial achievements of Michigan, especially the automobile industry of Detroit. Attracted by higher salaries, Lithuanian-Americans would leave East Coast and Illinois mines and factories for Michigan in their thousands. During 1930, 4879 Lithuanians lived in Detroit alone.

Like in the East Coast, these Lithuanians stayed together, settling in the same districts, and erecting Lithuanian churches and clubs all over Detroit, as well as in a few other Michigan cities.

St. Anthony Lithuanian church. The building to the left is Lithuanian Hall. ©Augustinas Žemaitis.

Far from every seasoned Lithuanian-American of the 1920s-1930s dreamt only of bigger salaries in a more modern factory, however. After spending a decade or more in the US industry and earning enough, some of them hoped to finally realize the dream they had back in Lithuania: buy enough land to make a living as farmers. Michigan attracted these Lithuanians as well, as they have teamed up to buy farmland in the Custer area, effectively establishing America‘s only Lithuanian plurality or even Lithuanian-majority countryside area.

Lithuanian Quilt

Lithuanian Quilt on a barn symbolises Lithuanian heritage of Custer

The Second Wave of Lithuanian-Americans arguably reinvigorated Michigan's Lithuanian life more than that of any other state. The Second Wave consisted of refugees who were forced to leave Lithuania in 1944 by the Soviet occupation and genocide there. Seeing themselves as exiles and wishing to perpetuate the Lithuanian culture in America even more than the First Wave, the Second Wave Lithuanians effectively established a „shadow Lithuanian state“ that united various Lithuanian institutions all over the USA. In addition to the „old local Lithuanian life“ of the Lithuanian parishes and districts, the Second Wave would establish pan-American Lithuanian hubs that would serve Lithuanians from far beyond and Michigan came to house numerous such hubs.

Hill of Corsses of Dainava

Hill of Corsses of Dainava Camp

In order to pass the Lithuanian language and culture to their children, they established a new type of Lithuanian-American institution, the Lithuanian camp, where Lithuanians (especially the kids) would spend parts of their summers in a Lithuanian atmosphere. The strategic position of Michigan countryside at the center of the Great Lakes area‘s major Lithuanian communities (Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Toronto) meant that Michigan was chosen as the place for a whopping three out of five Lithuanian camps in the USA.

The incoming of the Second Wave Lithuanian-Americans almost coincided with the decline of Detroit which was epitomized in its racial riots and white flight. All the Detroit‘s Lithuanian districts suffered greatly, and the inner city Lithuanian churches and clubs closed down (some were demolished to make way for highways that crisscrossed Detroit). However, the energy and patriotism of the Second Wave allowed to the 1972 construction of a new Lithuanian religious and cultural hub in Detroit suburbs, which became one of the last Lithuanian churches to be built in the Americas. In this church, religious space is actually smaller than the secular/ethnic space, accentuating the position of a Lithuanian-American church as a cultural hub that serves far beyond faith.

The site of the first Divine Providence Lithuanian church

The site of the first Divine Providence Lithuanian church

Stained glass window by V.K. Jonynas

Stained glass window by V.K. Jonynas in the Divine Providence Lithuanian church, erected in 1972

By contrast, in Grand Rapids, the population shift was not as major, allowing the „Old Lithuanian district“ there to survive with many Lithuanian institutions intact, and showing how even in the same state Lithuanian history could develop in different directions.

Meanwhile, on the westernmost tip of Michigan, a Lithuanian resort has been developing in Union Pier ~1960s-1980s. There, Chicago Lithuanians would come to spend their summers or summer weekends and numerous Lithuanian beachside hotels sprung up. Some Lithuanians have settled in the area for good.

Divine Providence Lithuanian church of Southfield

Divine Providence Lithuanian church of Southfield near Detroit

After the 1990 independence, the new „Third Wave“ of economic migrants began immigrating, and the Detroit area attracted many of them as well. They joined Michigan‘s largest Lithuanian communities and reinvigorated the key Lithuanian heritage sites: the Detroit area‘s Lithuanian church and the Lithuanian camps. Smaller communities (Custer, Muskegon, Union Pier) received few-if-any new immigrants, however, and Lithuanians who live there are typically descendants of the First Wave or the Second Wave.

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Detroit, Michigan

Like other industrial cities of the USA, Detroit attracted a Lithuanian community well before World War II and even World War I. Detroit Lithuanians worked at the automobile factories of what was the world automobile manufacturing capital. It still is the home to Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. During the 1930 census, 4879 Lithuanians lived in Detroit.

The old Lithuanian district of Detroit

For most of the 20th century, Lithuanian life in Detroit centered in the area southwest of downtown, today's Mexicantown, around the key institutions of St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church and the Lithuanian Hall.

St. Anthony Roman Catholic Lithuanian Church was built in 1920 in Southwest Detroit at 1750 25th Street. The massive brick building had two floors. The main church was on the second floor, while the first (ground) floor once housed a Lithuanian school. Later it was turned into a meeting hall, a small Lithuanian museum and a chapel where ordinary Sunday Mass was held. The diminishing parish no longer needed a main upper church; the elderly found it hard to climb the stairs. The church was closed in 2013 and now serves as a cultural center for modern day immigrants.

St. Anthony Lithuanian church. The building to the left is Lithuanian Hall. ©Augustinas Žemaitis.

A nicely renovated building on the opposite side of W Vernor Highway still bears the words Lithuanian Hall on its facade and there are some Lithuanian memorabilia surviving inside. Also surviving are the architectural elements such as the former ticket booth that would have sold to sell tickets for the events in the hall above, the stage and more. Redeveloped by the same non-profit real estate developer as St. Anthony church, the hall was transformed into its offices but the heritage was conserved well.

Detroit Lithuanian Hall

Detroit Lithuanian Hall

Originally the hall had been built in 1921 by the leftist Lithuanians who did not attend the church (while for the religious, the church doubled as a secular club and activity hub, the non-religious needed their separate institution for that). At least some of the members were communists, and the new owners discovered Lithuanian communist materials during renovation.

Main Hall now serves as an open office space. At one of the walls there is Lithuanian memorabilia

Main Hall now serves as an open office space. On one of the walls there is Lithuanian memorabilia.

It can only be assumed that, back then, Vernor Highway served as a frontline between the two opposing groups of Lithuanians: the religious majority and the anti-religious minority. With the popularity of leftist beliefs declining among Lithuanians, the Lithuanian Hall closed and was later used for community celebrations (holidays, weddings) by the parish.

St. Anthony Lithuanian Chruch (left) and the Lithuanian Hall (right)

St. Anthony Lithuanian Chruch (left) and the Lithuanian Hall (right)

Next to the Hall, there is Val Bauza Funeral Home, also an institution in the area.

However, like all over Detroit, some buildings are now abandoned or burned down. Detroit population more than halved after the 1967 racial riots and the city is now 85% Black (African-American). Most Whites, including Lithuanians, moved to the suburbs. The area around St. Anthony church is now, however, dominated by Hispanics and is known as Mexicantown. It is claimed by Lithuanians to be safer than the average Detroit area. While most Lithuanians moved to the suburbs, Mexicantown still has the largest percentage of Lithuanians in the Detroit city. Currently, it is the Hispanic population that the former St. Anthony church is serving the most, as the first floor is now taken by a charitable institution that teaches the recent immigrants English for free. At one point, merely some 30% of the district's buildings were being used, while now this percentage rose to 80% thanks to redevelopment by the same non-profit.

Val Bauza (Lithuanian name) Funeral Home. The house was constructed in 1930 when the city and the Lithuanian district were still thriving. ©Augustinas Žemaitis.

St. Anthony parish was at its peak immediately after World War 2 when a large number of the Lithuanian intellectual elite emigrated to the USA fearing Soviet persecutions. In these days, the church was too small for the congregation and many people had to participate in the Mass from outside the building. In some 1985, the church was damaged by fire but repaired afterward. Until 2009, the daily mass was still celebrated, twice daily on Sundays. However, in 2009, the priest retired and only a single weekly Lithuanian Sunday mass remained. There was no mass in any other language, therefore the building became scarcely used. In 2011, the bishop of Detroit decided to abolish the parish, which was done in 2013 as the parish was officially merged into the Divine Providence Lithuanian parish (see below).

St. Anthony Lithuanian Church main hall (2nd floor) interior as it looked before closure (2012). Currently, it is similar, but the religious and Lithuanian items, as well as pews, have been removed, and the premises are used for exercise classes and are available for rent for special events. ©Augustinas Žemaitis.

West of St. Anthony church, Detroit also had St. Peter Lithuanian church. The building, opened in 1921 and closed in 1995, has no Lithuanian details, although a publically-funded community center (All Saints Neighborhood Center) operating there since 1997, put up some historical plaques in the first room beyond the entrance. The church is wooden although during its late Lithuanian era its facade used to be covered in bricks. However, the original exterior has been restored now. In fact, the modest building was initially planned to be temporary but the parish never grew enough to build its own "permanent" and larger building. Like St. Anthony's, the church has a basement (dug by parishioner's hands) where Lithuanian used to meet after the mass. Church statues and furniture have been donated to Lithuania. So was a large Lithuanian style wayside cross that used to stand in front of the church.

St. Peter Lithuanian church of Detroit

St. Peter Lithuanian Church of Detroit

Lithuanian memorabilia in the foyer of the St. Peter Lithuanian church

Lithuanian memorabilia in the foyer of the St. Peter Lithuanian Church

In this same area Darius and Girėnas Club was located. Operated mostly by the DPs (Lithuanians who fled the Soviet Genocide), it was established in 1962 and closed in 1996 as the white flight has emptied Lithuanian neighborhoods. Unlike the Lithuanian Hall near St, Anthony church, however, nothing visibly Lithuanian remained on this building as it had not been built by Lithuanians. Instead, Lithuanians acquired a 1914 Czech building, hence it is usually known as the "Bohemian National Home", and this name is on the facade bas-relief. After Lithuanians sold the building, it was used as a concert hall in an increasingly dilapidated district, with many surrounding homes blighted. Eventually, it was abandoned, by bought for redevelopment in 2010s.

Bohemian National Home (Darius and Girėnas Club)

Bohemian National Home (Darius and Girėnas Club)

Southfield Divine Providence Lithuanian complex

The current Detroit's Lithuanian church is Divine Providence located in the suburb of Southfield (255335 West 9 Mile Road). In fact, it is not simply a church but rather a complex of buildings, including a large events hall, a Lithuanian cultural center, a social hall, a small parish museum, a Lithuanian Saturday school, and several monuments. Many Lithuanian organizations use this venue for their activities, among them a folk dance group, a sports club, boy and girl scouts, Daughters of Lithuania, etc.

Divine Providence Lithuanian church of Southfield

Divine Providence Lithuanian Church of Southfield

The complex was designed and built in 1972 by Lithuanian-Canadian architect Alfredas Kulpa-Kulpavičius. Initial designs were even more elaborate but the diocese-imposed costs-cap required the Lithuanian community to prioritize function over details. Therefore, the church lacks the "ethnic grandeur" of most other big-city post-WW2 Lithuanian churches but it still has many Lithuanian details inside. Among those are stained glass windows by the famous designer Vytautas K. Jonynas and wooden relief pieces by Jurgis Daugvila. Among the stained-glass windows, the most impressive is the one with St. Casimir and Vytis, while the wooden carvings depict the Hill of Crosses of Šiauliai and Blessed Jurgis Matulaitis.

Divine Providence church interior

Divine Providence Church interior

Woodcarving inside the Divine Providence church

Woodcarving inside the Divine Providence Church

Stained glass window by V.K. Jonynas

Stained glass window by V.K. Jonynas with patriotic motives, such as Lithuanian coat of arms

The complex of buildings is located in a spacious wooded area. Three Lithuanian monuments are close to the church: Jurgis Jurgutis memorial (who was the first honorary consul of Lithuania in Michigan), a traditional cross with a metal sun and the oldest one - statue of Jesus that had been relocated from the previous locations of the parish.

Sculpture dedicated to the consul of Lithuania Jurgutis

Sculpture dedicated to the consul of Lithuania Jurgutis

Lithuanian cross at the Divine Providence church

Lithuanian cross at the Divine Providence Church

Although the church and the other buildings of the complex have been built in 1972, the parish is much older than that. Unlike St. Anthony, the Divine Providence church has moved together with its community (two times). Its roots are in the St. George church within Detroit City limits (constructed in 1908).

The site of the St. George Lithuanian church

The site of the St. George Lithuanian Church, one time at the northeast corner of Westminster and Cardoni Streets.

In 1949, a new Divine Providence church was constructed further from the center and Lithuanians moved there. During the 1960s highway construction program, plans caused both churches to be demolished to make way for more convenient city commutes.

The site of the first Divine Providence Lithuanian church

The site of the first Divine Providence Lithuanian Church, at one time located on Schaefer Road near Grand River Avenue.

At the time, the bishop of Detroit did not want the continued existence of the ethnically Lithuanian parish, seeing ethnic parishes as slowly disintegrating (a fate then already suffered by numerous Polish parishes of Detroit). After lengthy discussions with Detroit Lithuanians, however, the bishop conceded that Divine Providence Parish would retain its ethnic status, with the stipulation that its membership would consist of Lithuanians only and its financial support would depend entirely on its parishioners. Lithuanians thus collected the necessary funds to build and support a new Divine Providence Church in Southfield.

Lithuanians who moved into suburbs and ceased visiting the city typically would also leave the then-remaining Detroit Lithuanian parishes (St. Anthony and St. Peter) and join the Southfield one. That's why the "urban parishes" had few parishioners and eventually closed, with only the Divine Providence parish retaining younger members and recent immigrants who invariably settled in the suburbs.

After St. Anthony Church was closed, many artifacts were salvaged and moved into the Divine Providence church.

Not far from the Divine Providence Lithuanian church there is the Holy Sepulcher cemetery where many Lithuanians are buried, some under rather elaborately patriotic tombstones.
Unfortunately, the idea to create a Lithuanian section in the cemetery failed to materialize, as a result, the Lithuanian graves are spread over several sections.

Other Lithuanian sites in Detroit

An interesting Lithuanian memento may be found in the eerily empty streets of downtown Detroit. On a building on the corner of Grand River Avenue and Times Square corner (Parker-Webb Building) hangs a memorial plaque with a sole Lithuanian inscription „Čia gimė Fluxus įkūrėjas Jurgis Mačiūnas“. The English translation is not provided (it would be „The founder of Fluxus George Mačiūnas was born here“). In reality, Jurgis Mačiūnas was born in Kaunas, Lithuania (1931) and emigrated to the USA in 1948. The plaque was installed by Gilbert Silverman, an avid collector of Mačiūnas works. He used to have his premises in the building. At one point, he decided to create a memorial plaque and gift it to Kaunas city where Mačiūnas was born; however, Kaunas never installed the plaque and, ultimately, it was sent back to Silverman by Mačiūnas's relatives. Then, Silverman installed it on the building he had premises at. Interestingly, this made the plaque kind of a Fluxus artwork on itself - a false memorial plaque for oneself in some random city is definitely consistent with Mačiūnas's style.

False Jurgis Mačiūnas memorial plaque

False Jurgis Mačiūnas memorial plaque

Parker-Webb building on which the Mačiūnas plaque is located

Parker-Webb building on which the Mačiūnas plaque is located

Wayne State University Detroit campus has a Lithuanian Room in its Ethnic Heritage building, the Manoogian Hall. The room is actually a classroom, room number 288, located on the second floor. It was established in 1978, an important year, marking the 60th anniversary of Lithuania's independence declaration in 1918. All of its walls are covered with murals symbolizing the essence of Lithuania. They include the major buildings (both extant and demolished), patriotic symbols, historical images (e.g. Battle of Žalgiris), ethereal famous creations of Lithuanian artist M. K. Čiurlionis, all grouped into three coherent scenes. The explanations of each detail in each mural are available in English. In addition to the murals, there are other objects of Lithuanian ethnic art.

Fragments of the murals of the Wayne State University Lithuanian Room.

Fragments of the murals of the Wayne State University Lithuanian Room. On the left, one may see Lithuanians in national folk costumes in front of the Kaunas Vienybės Square. In the center, there is a close-up of the Liberty statue there and people laying flowers under it. On the right, there is Vilnius University and people of old era in front.

The room, however, has not been renovated for a long time, leaving parts of its details damaged and the informational plaque that explains all the details still declaring that Lithuania is under Soviet occupation. The building and the room may be accessed by everyone when there are no lectures inside. The designers of the room were the famous Lithuanian architect Jonas Mulokas, as well as his son, architect Rimas Mulokas, while Vytautas Augustinas created the murals.

Fragments of the Detroit Lithuanian room murals. Vilnius University on the left, while famous fortifications of Lithuania (Trakai Castle, now-demolished Vilnius fortifications) and the Battle of Žalgiris soldiers are on the right

Fragments of the Detroit Lithuanian room murals. Vilnius University on the left, while famous fortifications of Lithuania (Trakai Castle, now-demolished Vilnius fortifications) and the Battle of Žalgiris soldiers are on the right

While Hamtramck is traditionally considered a Polish neighborhood, like many Polish-American neighborhoods, it once also had a Lithuanian community. One building there (12000 Joseph Campau Avenue) still has a Lithuanian surname Smailis inscribed on it ("SMAILIS BLDG 1924"). Its original owner Juozas Smailis was a Lithuanian-American pharmacist and an important member of many Lithuanian societies in America. For his work in promoting Lithuanian culture abroad, he was even awarded the Order of Gediminas by the Republic of Lithuania.

SMAILIS BLDG 1924 plaque (Google Street View)

SMAILIS BLDG 1924 plaque (Google Street View)

The elaborate Renaissance revival St. Francis of Assisi is a Polish church - however, its facade has a bas-relief with a Lithuanian coat of arms (Vytis). This is because the church was constructed in 1903-1905. At the time, both Poland and Lithuania were ruled by foreign powers (especially the Russian Empire) and the idea that the independent Poland and Lithuania should form once again a united Commonwealth (as they did before 1795) was not yet dead.

St. Francis of Assisi Polish church

St. Francis of Assisi Polish church

Vytis on the facade of St. Francis of Assisi

Vytis on the facade of St. Francis of Assisi

Another common institution of Lithuanians and Poles before the final divorce of two nations was the Orchard Lake Seminary. While today this 1910 complex consists of Polish schools and museums, until some 1910s the unique seminary was aimed at training priests for a wider array of ethnic minority Catholic churches, including Slovak and Lithuanian. Lithuanians left the seminary during or before the bitter Polish-Lithuanian conflict over Vilnius region in the 1920s-1930s. While some Lithuanian priests would still be educated there afterwards, there were no Lithuanian programs any more and no Lithuanian signs remain within the complex.

Orchard Lake Schools

Orchard Lake Schools

In the University of Detroit Mercy Calihan Hall, Lithuanian-American Vince Banonis is listed in the University of Detroit sports hall of fame with his biography, image, and ball appearing there.

Part of Vince Banonis exhibit in the University of Detroit Mercy

Part of Vince Banonis exhibit in the University of Detroit Mercy

 


The map

All the Lithuanian locations, described in this article, are marked on this interactive map, made by the "Destination Lithuanian America" expedition (click the link):

Interactive map of Detroit Lithuanian sites

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Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids has two Lithuanian cemeteries, three clubs and a church - all of them over a century old and yet all of them still operating. This tenacity of the old Lithuanian district makes Grand Rapids unique among American cities of such size.

Grand Rapids Lithuanian church and parish

While in many Lithuanian districts, it is the church that holds the most Lithuanian decorations, Grand Rapids Ss. Peter and Paul church, while rather large, lacks Lithuanian details. Constructed in the 1920s to replace a smaller church-school, the church was renovated in the 1960s and repainted in the 1980s. The 1960s refurbishment simplified the altar, while the 1980s refurbishment removed the Lithuanian inscriptions under the stations of the cross. According to the priest Dennis Morrow of the church, in Grand Rapids, unlike in many other Lithuanian parishes, the post-WW2 refugees did not overwhelm the entire community and thus their calls for more ethnic detail in the church went unheard. Furthermore, the church never had traditionally opulent historic stained glass windows, so rather simple ones were installed in the 1960s.

Grand Rapids Ss. Peter and Paul Lithuanian church

Grand Rapids Ss. Peter and Paul Lithuanian church

Interior of the Ss. Peter and Paul Lithuanian church

Interior of the Ss. Peter and Paul Lithuanian church

The only Lithuanian details at the church can be found at the World War 2 veterans memorial nearby, which has Vytis (Lithuanian coat of arms) on it.

Lithuanian World War 2 veterans memorial

Lithuanian World War 2 veterans memorial

Vytis on the memorial

Vytis on the memorial

The large buildings further on used to house a parish school and a convent (built in 1964), however, currently these are closed and they are used only for parish events.

Lithuanian school of Grand Rapids

Lithuanian school of Grand Rapids

The multi-lingual sign (also Lithuanian) at the Lithuanian school

The multi-lingual sign (also Lithuanian) at the Lithuanian school

A bench in front of the church has been built to commemorate priest Dennis Morrow of Lithuanian descent.

Grand Rapids Lithuanian clubs

Grand Rapids has three Lithuanian clubs. These clubs also double as members-only bars (although non-members may be able to come in as well).

The most well-known one is the Vytautas Kareivis Aid Society, established in 1910. Its building sports a Lithuanian flag and symbols. Inside, it has a bar and a Heritage room. Among the Lithuanian memorabilia there one can find a military uniform. At its beginning and long after that, Vytautas Aid Society was a paramilitary organization and its members used to march the American streets in these Lithuanian uniforms. Eventually, the Society changed. For example, well until the 1980s there was a requirement that a person who joins must be a Lithuanian through a paternal line (i.e. have a Lithuanian surname) but now a maternal line is also acceptable and women are allowed to join. Non-Lithuanians may join as associate members and since 2000s, non-Catholics are allowed to join as well. Only the Lithuanians could become full members, however. Vytautas Aid Society has some 450 members, 125 of whom are full members (2023).

Vytautas Kareivis Aid Society building

Vytautas Kareivis Aid Society building

Vytautas Kareivis Aid Society members posing with their uniforms (image from the Society's heritage rooms)

Vytautas Kareivis Aid Society members posing with their uniforms (image from the Society's heritage rooms)

Vytautas Kareivis Aid Society uniform at the Society's heritage rooms

Vytautas Kareivis Aid Society uniform at the Society's heritage rooms

Inside the Vytautas Kareivis Aid Society

Inside the Vytautas Kareivis Aid Society

Less well known is the Lithuanian Sons and Daughters Association (est. 1909, building constructed in 1913). Its building has "Lyceum Lithuanian Sons Aid Society" inscribed on it, as the inscription was made at the time the organization was men only (females have been admitted since 1921 after bi-gender Historicist Daukantas society merged into it). While the Vytautas Kareivis Aid Society historically represents the patriots/nationalists, Lithuanian Sons and Daughters represented the leftists and communists. As such, the organization was shunned by most Lithuanians after the Soviet occupation of Lithuania and many people in both the church and the Vytautas Aid Society claim that their parents would advise them not to go to the Lithuanian Sons and Daughters. Today, however, Lithuanian Sons and Daughters members claim their organization is non-political, so much of the rivalry is historical. As a leftist organization, Lithuanian Sons and Daughters amassed less Lithuanian memorabilia and, in fact, in the modern times, it is sometimes referred to as just "Sons and Daughters", while Polish heritage seems to be at least as celebrated as Lithuanian heritage. It has images of its founding members (1913), 20th-anniversary members (1929) and Simonas Daukantas near its streetside entrance (it is interesting to understand that these images hang there since the time World War 1 had not yet begun and Lithuania was ruled by the czar). The main entrance is behind. The hall on the second floor is big but it has no Lithuanian details (although originally, it had been painted with murals showing Lithuanian countryside). It has some 150 members of whom 150 are active (2018).

Lithuanian Sons and Daughters club of Grand Rapids

Lithuanian Sons and Daughters club of Grand Rapids

"Lithuanian Sons" inscription on the club

"Lithuanian Sons" inscription on the club

Interior of the Lithuanian Sons and Daughters club

Interior of the Lithuanian Sons and Daughters club

2nd floor hall of the Lithuanian Sons and Daughters club that used to be decorated in images of Lithuanian countryside

2nd floor hall of the Lithuanian Sons and Daughters club that used to be decorated in images of Lithuanian countryside

Predating the two secular Lithuanian societies were two Catholic Lithuanian societies: the Ss. Peter and Paul aid society (est. 1891) and St. George Aid Society (est. 1903). Both have also erected their clubhouses: Ss. Peter and Paul Aid Society in 1902 and St. George's Aid Society in 1907 (renovated in 1949). Both buildings still stand, however, Ss. Peter and Paul building is no longer used for the original purpose. That is because in 1964 both societies merged into one and use only the St. George building (now titled as St. George's, St. Peter and Paul Aid Society). While neither of the two buildings has any external Lithuanian details, the St. George's building has Lithuanian memorabilia inside, including Lithuanian flag, Vytis symbols, while its mugs are adorned by the Lithuanian coat of arms. St. George Society has 700 members, having rebounded from 50 at its lower point. Its clubhouse is two0floored, with the lower floor serving as a bar and the upper floor as a members-space and rental hall, hosting up to 250 people.

St. George Aid Society

St. George Aid Society

The mugs of St. George's Aid Society

The mugs of St. George's Aid Society

The "Aid Societies" typically were called so because they all initially acted also as charitable organizations to both their members and non-members. In the early days, support for members in times of need was especially important, as, at the time, there were no social guarantees, so the only way immigrants could ensure that they would not be left to poverty in case they get hurt in the job, for example, was to join such organizations where the well-off members would help their less well-off co-nationals. Vytautas Kareivis Aid Society especially continues this charitable mission, regularly supporting both Lithuanian and non-Lithuanian institutions of Grand Rapids. Nowadays, however, these societies also serve as ethnically-themed bars, and Grand Rapids has a culture behind such places, with its apex during the annual Pulaski days when it is common to visit many such historic ethnic clubs.

Former Lithuanian Catholic aid society near the Ss. Peter and Paul church

Former Lithuanian Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic aid society near the Ss. Peter and Paul Church

St. George Aid Society building

St. George Aid Society building, now operating as a united St. George's St. Peter and Paul Aid Society

Grand Rapids Lithuanian cemeteries

The main Grand Rapids Lithuanian cemetery is the rather large Ss. Peter and Paul cemetery. Two of the most impressive memorials here is the Traditional Lithuanian wooden cross of 1987 (author Jurgis Daugvila), dedicated to the Lithuanian 600 years Christianization anniversary, and the Memorial for Lithuanian priests, dedicated in 1979. The priest's memorial symbolizes a Divine Invitation - to the priesthood, life, death.

600th anniversary of Lithuanian Christianity cross in the Ss. Peter and Paul Lithuanian cemetery

600th anniversary of Lithuanian Christianity cross in the Ss. Peter and Paul Lithuanian cemetery

Memorial to the Lithuanian priests of Grand Rapids

Memorial to the Lithuanian priests of Grand Rapids

Just beyond a fence (but with an entrance from the other side) lies the other Lithuanian cemetery of Grand Rapids: the Lithuanian Freedom Cemetery. It is small, only the plaque at the entrance and many surnames show it to be Lithuanian. There, socialists and non-believers used to be buried. According to the local priest Morrow, no more than 15% of total Lithuanians. At the later stages of the cemetery, the priest would have been invited to some burials as some people wanted to bury themselves next to their kin even though they became believers. Interestingly, some of the graves in the Freedom Cemetery are located away from the other graves and right beyond the fence of the Lithuanian Catholic Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery, facing the Catholic cemetery, perhaps signifying that these people were denied burial at the Catholic cemetery for some reason despite wishing for it.

Lithuanian non-religious cemetery entrance

Lithuanian non-religious cemetery entrance

Some of the graves at the Freedom cemetery that are facing the fence between the cemeteries. The Ss. Peter and Paul cemetery is beyond the fence

Some of the graves at the Freedom cemetery that are facing the fence between the cemeteries. The Ss. Peter and Paul cemetery is beyond the fence

 


The map

All the Lithuanian locations, described in this article, are marked on this interactive map, made by the "Destination Lithuanian America" expedition (click the link):

Interactive map of Grand Rapids Lithuanian sites

Click to learn more about Lithuania: Michigan, USA 2 Comments

Custer / Ludington, Michigan

Unlike in all the rest of the USA, Lithuanians did not come to work in mines or factories in the Custer / Ludington area. Rather, they became farmers just they were as in their old country. Typically, they used money they earned in temporary industrial works elsewhere in America to buy their land. At one time, this Lithuanian "colony" used to be referred to as "New Lithuania".

Lithuanians became a major force in all the villages in the area by the early 20th century. In 2000 census, those were still among the most Lithuanian villages in Michigan and Mid-West. For instance, Irons and Custer were 4% Lithuanian, Fountain and Luther were 3%, Scottville and Free Soil were 2%.

"New Lithuania" was a brainchild of a Lithuanian real-estate tycoon Anton Keledis, and, at its highest point, Lithuanians are said to have owned 360 farms in the area. Many of them are still owned by the descendants of some 1200 Lithuanians who moved to live here 100+ years ago, with some farms marked by honorary signs that they are owned by the same family for more than a century.

Lithuanian-owned barn with a Lithuanian decor in Custer area

Lithuanian-owned barn with a Lithuanian decor in Custer area

Lithuanian farmers' heritage in Custer area

Unlike elsewhere, Lithuanians never established their ethnic parishes in the "New Lithuania"; however, they had no need to as they simply dominated the Catholic churches anyways. Custer and Irons churches had Lithuanian priests and masses for a long time. Custer St Mary's Church, while built in the late 1960s, has an Our Lady of Vilnius bas-relief right over its main entrance (with a Lithuanian inscription) and Our Lady of Šiluva statue inside (right side of the nave), both Maryan devotions associated with Lithuania. The church also had a Lithuanian architect - the famous Jonas Mulokas; he is known for his "modern Lithuanian style" which merged the traditional ethnic elements with modern materials, however, here, as the parish was not officially Lithuanian, there are not so many Lithuanian details as usual, even though the "barn form" reminds of the agricultural traditions of both Lithuania and Custer area.

Custer St. Mary church

Custer St. Mary church

Our Lady of Vilnius symbol over the door of St. Mary church of Custer

Our Lady of Vilnius symbol over the door of St. Mary church of Custer

Another major remnant of the Lithuanian farmers' era is the Andrulis cheese factory that still manufactures Lithuanian (Baltic) Farmer's Cheese according to the recipe of the current owner's grandmother. The cheese factory has been established in the early 1940s and still operates in the same building with few changes in technology. The same family still owns it, with the 4th generation since establishment (5th generation since immigration) now beginning to take the helm. It is possible to buy the cheese at a small store near the factory entrance and, with prior arrangements and small groups, to get a factory tour. The factory, however, now operates irregularly: only when there are orders, as Andrulis cheese lacks preservatives to make it suitable for long-term storage. John Andrulis, one of the owners of the factory, by the way, was the one who donated the Custer church's entrance, as the plaque on the church marks.

Andrulis cheese factory

Andrulis cheese factory

Andrulis cheese

Andrulis cheese

Andrulis cheese factory interior

Andrulis cheese factory interior

There are more Lithuanian descendants who farm. Lithuanian farming heritage is celebrated by Lithuanian quilt, a barn decorated by Lithuanian flag colors and Lithuanian symbol in Fountain village. The farm owners Budzynskis participated in the barn beautification project "Mason County Barn Quilt Trail" which led to some 11 barns being covered with such artworks, often relating to the area's heritage or goals. The sign near Budzynski farm indicates that it is held by the same family for 100+ years.

Lithuanian Quilt

Lithuanian Quilt

Yet another farm that is held by the same family for 100+ years was even inscribed into the National Register of Historic Places, the most important US federal register of heritage where just a few Lithuanian heritage sites exists. That's the John and Katharine Tunkun Podjun Farm (original surnames: Tunkūnas and Puodžiūnas). In a story rather similar to that of many "New Lithuania" settlers, the farm's founder Jonas Puodžiūnas immigrated from Lithuania through the east coast (Boston) ~1898 to work in coal mines (Southern Illinois). There, he became disillusioned with the working conditions. Unlike some other Lithuanians, he did not drink alcohol and thus was able to save money. Therefore, when he saw Keledis's advertisements for farm land in Michigan in a Lithuanian-American newspaper, he took up the opportunity. He acquired what is now Tunkun Podjun farm in 1914, building its still-existing buildings such as the farm barn and farmhouse over the next 15 years. The authenticity of these buildings and their little change since 1910s-1920s was the reason why the Tunkun Podjun farm was inscribed in the NHRP. Like many male Lithuanian-Americans of the time, Puodžiūnas brought a wife for himself from Lithuania in 1904 - Kotryna Tunkūnaitė, together with whom he developed the farm. Also, like many Lithuanian-Americans of the era, their name got anglicized and shortened (Jonas Puodžiūnas > John Podjunus > John Podjun; Kotryna Tunkūnaitė > Katharine Tunkun). While the initial generation of immigrants had an endogamous marriage, later generations intermarried with other ethnicities of the area, however, they still remembered the roots. Tunkun-Podjun farm is located 45 minutes driving east of Custer near the village of Luther. This shows just how large the area of Lithuanian settlement was.

Tunkun-Podjun Farm main building

Tunkun-Podjun Farm main building

Tunkun-Podjun barn, built in the 1910s by Jonas Puodžiūnas

Tunkun-Podjun barn, built in the 1910s by Jonas Puodžiūnas

While name anglicizations make it not possible to see the true numbers of Lithuanian descendants still living in the area, there are still some people with original surnames. These surnames are visible in the names of the driveways, which in this area have official streetnames and are typically named after the owners. In 2023, for example, one may still find Brazas Road and Noreika Road on the area maps. However, as time passes and farms change hands, these names disappear.

Noreika Road in Michigan

Noreika Road in Michigan

Stakenas Farms near Ludington

Stakenas Farms near Ludington

Another sign of any Lithuanina-heavy area are the traditional Lithuanian wayside crosses (a UNECO-inscribed immaterial world heritage). There is one near the Judis family farm, built by the owners to commemorate their trip to Lithuania in 1995, soon after the country became independent.

The area has no Lithuanian cemetery but Riverside Cemetery has many Lithuanian burials. There are also various other Lithuanian signs in the area.

A roadside cross ner Irons, MI, built by Lithuanian owners of a nearby farm to commemorate their 1995 visit to Lithuania. Images by Linas Poniškaitis.

A roadside cross ner Irons, MI, built by Lithuanian owners of a nearby farm to commemorate their 1995 visit to Lithuania. Images by Linas Poniškaitis.

Rakas Lithuanian scout camp

The largest Lithuanian institution in the area is undoubtedly the Rakas Lithuanian scout camp, covering some 83 acres (33 ha) of a rather pristine forest (40 acres are used).

Lituanica building, one of the buildings of Camp Rakas sub-camps

Lituanica building, one of the buildings of Camp Rakas sub-camps

Every summer, the camp holds the "main" 2-week long scout camp that draws some 250 scouts mainly from Chicago, as well as various smaller side-camps. In addition to the regular scouting ideals, the Lithuanian scouts of America also put a strong emphasis on the Lithuanian ethnic traditions: songs, dances, etc. The architecture of the camp is, therefore, very Lithuanian. There are multiple chapel-posts, each building is also covered in ethnic motifs.

Larger chapel-post (koplytstulpis) of Camp Rakas

Larger chapel-post (koplytstulpis) of Camp Rakas

A small chapel-post (koplytstulpis) in Camp Rakas

A small chapel-post (koplytstulpis) in Camp Rakas

The buildings are few and far between, however, as the scouts sleep in tents. The largest monument is near the entrance: it consists of a tower with a traditional scout symbol on top and 2018 renovation donors list nearby and on the bricks. There is also a memorial plaque that thanks Frank (Pranas) Rakas for the generous gift of land where Rakas now stands (actually, a 50 years lease paying 1 dollar a year; the land was bought out by the Chicago scouts afterward).

Camp Rakas main monument

Camp Rakas main monument

The camp consists of four sub-camps, each with its own kitchen. All are named in Lithuanian: Kernavė (after Lithuania's first known capital, est. 1966), Lituanica (after the Darius and Girėnas plane they used to become the first Lithuanians to cross the Atlantic), Nerija (after the Curonian Spit), Aušros Vartai (after the gate of dawn in Vilnius Old Town). There are additional buildings, such as the first-aid post, each with ethnic details. Many of the original buildings were constructed in 1965-1975 but later repaired.

Kernavė sub-camp main building in camp Rakas

Kernavė sub-camp main building in camp Rakas

A Vyčiai square with ethnic decor is dedicated to the lifetime scouts.

Vyčiai square in Camp Rakas

Vyčiai square in Camp Rakas

Lithuanian symbols at the Vyčiai square in Camp Rakas

Lithuanian symbols at the Vyčiai square in Camp Rakas

The territory of the camp is usually locked outside of the season and cannot be visited. During the main camp, some 250 people participate, 66% kids and 33% adults. At one time, the numbers stood at 1000.

The map

All the Lithuanian locations, described in this article, are marked on this interactive map, made by the "Destination Lithuanian America" expedition (click the link):

Interactive map of Custer area Lithuanian sites

Click to learn more about Lithuania: Michigan, USA 6 Comments

Manchester, Michigan

Manchester is famous among the Lithuanian-Americans for having two of the top Lithuanian camps in the USA: "Dainava" and "Pilėnai". Lithuanian-American camps are not simply places to spend summer holidays; rather, they are an attempt to recreate a piece of Lithuania abroad. Therefore, they have a fair share of Lithuanian monuments and artworks.

During the camping season (mostly summer), they attract hundreds of Lithuanians who seek to spend some time in a Lithuanian atmosphere and among other Lithuanians. Outside of the season and the main events, they are calm and feel more like Lithuanian parks/memorials.

The Dainava camp monument at the place where two main camp roads fork

The Dainava camp monument man sign with its lake on the background amidst Lithuania-like scenery

Dainava Lithuanian camp

Dainava camp is the largest Lithuanian camp in America. It is also interesting as a tourist attraction as it has a lot of atmospheric sites and is effectively a large Lithuanian-themed park, 225 acres (91 ha) in size.

The altar and the view of the Hill of Crosses behind the altar in Dainava

Camp Dainava

A symbolic heart of Dainava is its Hill of Crosses, a smaller copy of the famous Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai. It has been started in 1975 but, just like its bigger brother in Lithuania, it constantly grows as new crosses are added. Currently, there are 8 large crosses and many small crosses, with the smallest one being hung on the larger ones just like in Šiauliai. Lithuanian cross-crafting is a UNESCO immaterial world heritage and Dainava crosses follow this artform rigorously. Recently, more permanent metal crosses have also been built (e.g. 2011 one by Marius Narbutaitis and 2008 by Ateitininkai). Three of the large wooden crosses are dedicated to Jonas Masiliūnas, a Soviet-murdered Lithuanian interwar politician (1899-1942), Aidas Kriaučiūnas, and Bradūnas family. Like everywhere in Dainava, many crosses also have patriotic symbols in addition to the religious ones.

Hill of Crosses of Dainava

Hill of Crosses of Dainava

Close-up of one of the Dainava crosses

Close-up of one of the Dainava crosses

Another greatly atmospheric location is the Dainava open-air forest chapel where masses are held during the camping season. It is arranged so that behind its altar the Dainava Hill of Crosses would be visible in the distance. It is accessed by a narrow forest path. The path is surrounded by the Lithuanian stations of the cross. The forest chapel was created by priest Lukas Laniauskas. Next to the forest path entrance stands a Memorial to the founders of Dainava.

The altar and the view of the Hill of Crosses behind the altar in Dainava

The altar and the view of the Hill of Crosses behind the altar in Dainava

Lithuanian station of the cross at Dainava forest calvary

Lithuanian station of the cross at Dainava forest calvary

Memorial to the founders of Dainava

Memorial to the founders of Dainava

Dainava has so many religious symbols because it has been established by the American Lithuanian Roman Catholic Federation, of which a major part is Ateitininkai, a Lithuanian religious youth organization that has been banned under the Soviet occupation of Lithuania (1940-1990), yet it continued abroad in the USA. Catholic traditions are, therefore, an important part of the camps here. However, the Catholic art that is available in Dainava is also ethnic Lithuanian art, as traditional Lithuanian woodcarving style is always used to create it. One of the largest sculptures here is the Rūpintojėlis of Dainava - Rūpintojėlis being a traditional Lithuanian way to depict Jesus as a worried person. Catholic faith and Lithuanian culture are thus two pillars on which Dainava has been built.

The main building of the camp known as Adolfas Damušis house (also as "White House", built 1964) is surrounded by both religious and patriotic memorials, among them a wooden sculpture of St. Casimir (Lithuania's patron saint and the only Lithuanian saint), a memorial for Romas Kalanta (a Lithuanian who self-immolated against the Soviet regime in 1972) by Stasė Smalinskienė, a mural "Dainava - Our Lithuania" with the map of Lithuania, a ~2,5 m tall Rūpintojėlis engraved with stylized Lithuanian coat of arms (author Adolfas Teresius, 1999).

Mural "Mūsų Lietuva" (Our Lithuania)

Mural "Mūsų Lietuva" (Our Lithuania)

St. Casimir cross in Dainava

St. Casimir cross in Dainava

Romas Kalanta monument in Dainava

Romas Kalanta monument in Dainava

Dainava Rūpintojėlis (top)

Dainava Rūpintojėlis (top)

Lithuanian symbols on the back of Rūpintojėlis

Lithuanian symbols on the back of Rūpintojėlis

There is also a milepost showing the distances from Dainava to various major world cities (and the cities the Dainava users come from) - it shows Lietuva as ~7400 km away. Like in Lithuania, the distances are marked in kilometers rather than miles.

Dainava milepost

Dainava milepost

On the far west of the camp, there is a beach on Thorn lake (often referred to in Lithuanian as "Spyglys"). This was the only place in the camp where a beach could be made and even creating such a small beach required a considerable engineering effort by the Lithuanians in the 1950s (engineer Adolfas Damušis, Baltakis, Bajorūnas). From the beach area, one may climb a hill, symbolically called Rambynas after an important hill in Lithuania's Nemunas Valley. That is the highest place in the camp and thus a popular hike among the Dainava campers, however, it lacks monuments and the views are obscured by trees outside of the winter when they open up more.

On top of the Rambynas hill

On top of the Rambynas hill

At the road fork where one road leads to the main building and another one to the beach and Rambynas, there is the Main Dainava sign carved in wood with Columns of Gediminas and Cross of Vytis on its top.

Dainava grounds were acquired by Lithuanians in 1955 and the camp was constructed in 1956, and constantly expanded since. The goals of Dainava were to create a summer space for Lithuanian kids where they could speak in Lithuanian to other Lithuanian kids and celebrate the Lithuanian culture. These were held to be especially important in the 1950s by tens of thousands of refugees from Lithuania who have arrived in the USA; most of these refugees saw themselves as exiled people as they would have been killed back in Lithuania which has been just occupied by the Soviet Union and they sought to perpetuate the Lithuanian culture in the USA. These days, "heritage camps" are also popular; in these camps, the main language used in English, however, the Lithuanian traditions are still the focal point of the activities. In addition to children camps, there are also camps for Lithuanian families and teachers of Lithuanian schools.

A STOP sign translated into Lithuanian as STOK and repaited in green, the traditional color of Lithuania

A STOP sign translated into Lithuanian as STOK and repaited in green, the traditional color of Lithuania

The initial site for Dainava was meant to be at the mid-point between the massive Lithuanian "colonies" of Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit; however, in such a case, the camp would have been difficult to maintain as it would be too far from every "colony" for any Lithuanian to quickly go there. As such, it was decided to acquire a donated-to-university lot not too far from Detroit instead, so Detroit Lithuanians could care for it.

Dainava camp sign at the road

Dainava camp sign at the road

Dainava is accessible for the public outside of the hunting season. The camping season itself is summer-only and in the other times of the year, one pretty much could have Dainava for himself/herself (however, the camp is guarded and it is permitted only to hike or sightsee there but not to party).

Dainava has several buildings where the camping people sleep during the camping time (mostly summer). These buildings are locked out-of-season.

Pilėnai camp of Šauliai (Lithuanian National guard)

Pilėnai camp is literally on the opposite side of the road from Dainava. It hosts arguably the most important Lithuanian patriotic memorial in Manchester, the Memorial for those who died for Lithuania. The memorial consists of a pyramid with a soldiers face and a Cross of Vytis on his helmet. The sides include Cross of Vytis, Columns of Gediminas. On the lower side of the right side, famous Lithuanian freedom fighters and activists are listed, while on the left are the famous battles of Lithuanian wars of independence. The pyramid is crowned by a traditional Lithuanian sun-cross and surrounded by two traditional Lithuanian chapel-posts (koplytstulpiai), as well as flagpoles where the Lithuanian and American flags are raised every day when the camp is in use. The author of the monument is Mykolas Abarius.

Monument for those who died for Lithuanian freedom at Pilėnai

Monument for those who died for Lithuanian freedom at Pilėnai

Close-up of the memorial for those who died for Lithuanian freedom

Close-up of the memorial for those who died for Lithuanian freedom

The camp gate is crowned by Iron Wolf sculptures (a traditional symbol of Vilnius city) and the columns of Gediminas. The total area of Pilėnai Camp is 20 acres (8 ha) and it includes a small lake. It has been expanded in the 2010s by acquiring additional land.

Iron Wolf at Camp Pilėnai opening gate

Iron Wolf at Camp Pilėnai opening gate

Camp Pilėnai entrance gate with Columns of Gediminas symbols

Camp Pilėnai entrance gate with Columns of Gediminas symbols

Pilėnai camp has been established ~1971 and is owned by the Šauliai movement, traditionally translated to English as "Lithuanian National Guard in exile" (also translated as "Lithuanian Riflemen"). Back in the years of the first independence of Lithuania (1918-1940), Šauliai were a potent paramilitary movement of patriotic volunteers who sought to learn better how to defend their homeland without joining the army. With tens of thousands of members, it was also a fraternal organization of such patriots. However, when the Soviets have occupied Lithuania in 1940, they added all the Šauliai members to the long list of people to be murdered or exiled. Some eventually managed to flee Lithuania and while Šauliai movement was destroyed in Lithuania itself, it continued "in exile" (being very patriotic, Šauliai generally saw their relocation to the USA as an exile rather than emigration, as they would have never emigrated if not the quick occupation without a real war and the subsequent Soviet Genocide).

The camp buildings hold various memorabilia for the Šauliai organization. Given the paramilitary nature of the organization, the camp also has a shooting range.

Interior of the camp Pilėnai main building

Interior of the camp Pilėnai main building

While Šauliai were on a long decline in America and their post-1990 recreation in Lithuania itself failed to reach the numbers the organization enjoyed between the wars, the Russian aggression in Ukraine has made the organization somewhat more popular in numbers as the perceived threat to Lithuania intensified greatly. Šauliai of Detroit that own Pilėnai increased threefold in numbers.

In addition to the Šauliai activities, Pilėnai also hosts the annual traditional Lithuanian Joninės (summer solstice) festival since 2010, attended by hundreds of Lithuanians (not just by Šauliai) who bring their own tents here. This is the best time to visit the camp and the Lithuanian memorial for non-members, as otherwise the camp is usually locked.

The map

All the Lithuanian locations, described in this article, are marked on this interactive map, made by the "Destination Lithuanian America" expedition (click the link):

Interactive map of Manchester (Michigan) Lithuanian sites

Click to learn more about Lithuania: Michigan, USA 2 Comments

Muskegon, Michigan

Muskegon has a Lithuanian club. Despite its name, the club has mostly non-Lithuanian membership these days. However, it tries to keep the Lithuanian traditions up and running. After the original building of the Lithuanian club burned down in 2008 (together with all the historical documents), the club users (~300 in total) rebuilt the club and once again acquired Lithuanian memorabilia such as the flag and images.

Muskegon Lithuanian club

Muskegon Lithuanian club

The club is located in a rather simple single-floored building with a bar inside. That bar is what draws most of the members in. Outside, the Lithuanian flag is constantly waving together with the American one while inside there are more Lithuanian images, while a member of the club has written a cookbook that includes Lithuanian recipes.

Muskegon Lithuanian club corner with Lithuanian memorabilia

Muskegon Lithuanian club corner with Lithuanian memorabilia

Club's bylaws, dated 1952, specify that "Every member is gracefully obliged to defend America first, but he is also earnestly encouraged to perpetuate the memories and to eulogize the glories and beauties of the ancient and honorable people of Lithuania". The fact that the club and its documents were destroyed by fire makes it difficult to surely state when was the club established.

The map

All the Lithuanian locations, described in this article, are marked on this interactive map, made by the "Destination Lithuanian America" expedition (click the link):

Interactive map of Illinois Lithuanian sites

Click to learn more about Lithuania: Michigan, USA 3 Comments

Map of Lithuanian heritage in eastern Midwest

Map of the Lithuanian heritage in eastern Midwest (Michigan, Ohio) and western Ontario.

More info on Lithuanian heritage in Ohio, Michigan, Ontario.

Click to learn more about Lithuania: Michigan, Ohio, Ontario 2 Comments

Saginaw, Michigan

Saginaw attracted some Lithuanians before World War 1 as a major center of timber industry. Some 60 families separated from a Polish parish in 1918, establishing their own St. George parish. The community was not very large but they built a Lithuanian church ~1920, located near the corner of S Jefferson and Wisner streets. Initially, it was attended by some 60 families.

This church, however, no longer stands, as it was replaced by a new church on Erie St. / Arnold St. / Sheridan Ave. in 1964. By this time, however, while some Lithuanians still attended the parish, it was considered a territorial rather than ethnic parish (since 1959). The total numbers of Lithuanians in Saginaw were in a decline. As such, the newly-built church had no particularly Lithuanian details. In 2015, St. George parish was closed altogether and even the new church building sold.

St. George church in Saginaw

St. George church in Saginaw (new building)

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