See Michigan's Sea Shell City

I sometimes amuse myself during long road trips by posting random images to Instagram and asking folks to guess where we are at that time.

 

 

It's no surprise to me that one of my Facebook friends immediately identified my location as Sea Shell City when I posted a photo of a 500-pound clam shell to Instagram last summer and started off the guessing game that day.

That image of a giant clam shell situated between a few artificial palm fronds by the men's restroom in a classic northern Michigan tourist trap along I-75 near Cheboygan, Michigan is permanently emblazoned on the childhood memories of most Michiganders who traveling Up North with their families over the past 57 years!

You can't miss Sea Shell City as you travel north on the expressway and approach the Mackinac bridge that connects Michigan's two peninsulas and spot the billboards urging a stop at exit 326 to see the "giant man-killing clam" and shop at this nautical-themed gift store.

 

 

Sea Shell City, about 10 miles south of the Mighty Mac Bridge, has beckoned travelers from the expressway ever since I can remember, so it's no surprise to learn that it opened in 1957.

The original owners of the store had similar shops in Florida and the Wisconsin Dells area, but the Michigan store managed to remain in business over the years, largely because of the huge increase of traffic brought along this north-bound route by the opening of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957.

Other than the clam shell, some of the store's more dubious attractions over the years included a live alligator kept in a pole barn behind the store where visitors paid to see an "Indian" wrestle the animal.

New owners bought the place in 1990 and worked to upgrade the stock and displays while keeping the store's cheerfully cheesy character.

The long white cinderblock building with its bright red roof gives at least a little clue as to the treasures within its walls, but I like to stop by and shop at least once every few years on my way up to Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The store's tropical and nautical decor and giant clam shell from the Philippines seems a bit incongruous, given its northern Michigan location about 500 miles from any ocean and at roughly the same latitude as Minneapolis, but it holds a fond place in the heart of many travelers and fans of kitschy roadside stops.

 

 

The "man-killing clam" in question seems serene, although it emits a somewhat eerie glow as a light from its interior shows off the curves of the shell's edge, making it look a little like a the its reputed reputation as a sinister maw that might open and quickly snap on a human extremity before dragging a man to his death.

But really...to me it looks more like the shell is wearing a happy grin while enjoying its time in the spotlight.

A sign by the long-ago-vacated clam shell informs visitors that giant clams of these types are one of the largest mollusks in the world, exceeded in size only by the giant squid in the mollusk world. The clams can be green, blue, red or brown and can weigh as much as this 505-pound shell.

The giant clams are also vegetarian, preferring to dine on algae, rather than people, which is why the folks at Sea Shell City make it a point to remind visitors that the animal is a man-killer, not a man-eater.

 Doesn't that make you feel better?

So, what other treasures does Sea Shell City hold for the discerning souvenir shopper? T-shirts, mugs, hats, loose shells, shell-encrusted knick knack of every sort and home decor items like lamps, sculptures, clocks and brass replica diving helmets line the walls and shelves of the store. There are a few Michigan-themed items like shirts and books, but you're more likely to find a Jolly Roger-flag or pink "Pirate Girl" water bottle than a Michigan-made souvenir.

Still, I found a pink skull-and-crossbones bandana that I had to have the last time we visited.

 

 

I made my purchase and climbed aboard the pirate ship in front of the store along the expressway before bidding farewell to Sea Shell City.

Sea Shell City is open seasonally, closing during the cold winter months. It re-opened for the 2014 season a few short weeks ago.

© Dominique King 2014 All rights reserved

Comments

[wanderingeducators]

Love this - what fun!

[Dominique King]

Like I said, it's cheerfully cheesy...but it's a must stop on the way north :)

[lee anderson {yooper}]

Can you say Sea Shell City many times real fast. LOL.

[Dominique King]

I wouldn't even attempt that! :)

[Sher Clark]

We have home movies of the alligator wrestling. I was about 11 years old then. It was a favorite stop on our way to our family cabin in Munising. We had fun trying to say Sea Shell City three times in a row, but not in hearing range of our parents. :-) Good memories.

[Dominique King]

Thanks for stopping by Sher! I don't ever remember seeing alligator wrestling there, but it sounds just like the type of attraction they'd have! Was it a baby alligator? I remember "wrestling" an alligator in Florida...big build up to it, and I finally said, sure, I'd volunteer...and the little guy might have been a foot long...if he was lucky :lol: