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150 skeletons haunt this Lakeshore town. Vote for your favorite in three categories.

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, October 21st 2025 at 7:53 GMT by MLive
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Lakeview, Michigan – A quirky and slightly macabre tradition has taken hold of the small lakeshore town of Lakeview, drawing visitors from across the state who come to marvel at the town’s most unusual attraction: a collection of skeletons that has become the centerpiece of a community celebration and a quirky online voting event. In September, the town’s website launched a “Skeleton Showdown” contest, inviting residents and tourists alike to cast votes in three distinct categories—“Most Photogenic Skeleton,” “Most Spooky Skeleton,” and “Most Historic Skeleton”—and to share stories, photos, and memories associated with the eerily familiar bone fragments that line the grounds of the old Maplewood Cemetery.

The Origins of Lakeview’s Skeleton Scene

The skeletons that populate Maplewood Cemetery date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the town was a bustling mill town along the shore of Lake Michigan. As the population grew, the cemetery expanded rapidly, and due to limited resources and the rudimentary preservation techniques of the era, many graves were left unmarked or only marked with wooden tablets that have since rotted away. Over time, the skeletons have become a symbol of Lakeview’s past—a tangible reminder of the families who built the town and the hardships they endured.

Historian Dr. Emily Carter, a local resident and professor at the University of Michigan, explains that the skeletons are not only a historical artifact but also a cultural touchstone. “In many ways, the skeletons embody the resilience of Lakeview’s people,” Carter says. “They’re a testament to the way we’ve dealt with loss, memory, and community in the face of limited resources.”

The Skeleton Showdown Contest

The online contest was launched by the Lakeview Historical Society on their official website, a site that has grown into a hub for community events and local news. The contest invites users to submit photos and stories of their favorite skeleton. The entries are judged by a panel consisting of local historians, cemetery caretakers, and community volunteers. The competition is divided into three categories:

1. Most Photogenic Skeleton – Highlighting the skeleton that looks the best in photographs. Contestants share images of the skeletons arranged with flowers, candles, or artistic lighting.
2. Most Spooky Skeleton – Focusing on the eerie atmosphere that certain skeletons convey. The category celebrates the ghostly ambiance that some visitors experience during night tours.
3. Most Historic Skeleton – Awarded to the skeleton that carries the most historical significance, such as those belonging to prominent local families or war veterans.

According to the contest’s official guidelines, each entry must include a brief description of the skeleton’s historical context, the reason for its selection, and the photographs that capture its essence. The contest has received over 3,000 entries, with the most votes coming from neighboring counties in Wisconsin and Illinois.

Community Response and Cultural Impact

The Skeleton Showdown has sparked a renewed interest in local history and has become an essential part of Lakeview’s fall tourism itinerary. Visitors are encouraged to attend the “Skeleton Walk” each October, a guided tour that lasts about 90 minutes and includes live storytelling, a music interlude by a local bluegrass group, and refreshments provided by the Lakeview Café.

Mayor Thomas Reed, who has served Lakeview for 12 years, describes the event as “a unique way to honor our past and bring our community together.” “We’re proud of our heritage and the way our residents keep it alive,” Reed says. “The skeletons may look morbid, but they remind us of the lives that once animated this town.”

The event also serves an educational purpose. Local schools partner with the Historical Society to bring students on field trips, where they learn about early 20th-century burial practices and the importance of maintaining historical sites. A new exhibit, “The Bones of Lakeview,” opened in February in the town’s museum. It showcases artifacts recovered from the cemetery, including a 1902 brass locket that belonged to a family who helped build the town’s first library.

Future Plans

The Lakeview Historical Society is already planning the 2026 edition of the Skeleton Showdown. The organizers aim to expand the categories to include “Most Artistic Skeleton,” where sculptors and painters can display skeleton-inspired artwork, and “Most Engaging Story,” focusing on oral histories tied to the cemetery. Additionally, they are working on a mobile app that will allow visitors to take virtual tours, learn about each skeleton’s background, and vote directly from their smartphones.

The skeletons of Lakeview may be a chilling reminder of the past, but they also serve as a catalyst for community cohesion, education, and tourism. As the town looks toward the future, the “Skeleton Showdown” remains a testament to the enduring power of memory and the ways in which we can celebrate the stories that have shaped our shared history.