Landmarks

The Bavarian Inn Glockenspiel Tower houses a magnificent 35-bell carillon, a beautiful figurine movement and an illuminated clock, all imported from Germany! The sound of the Glockenspiel can be heard for miles around Frankenmuth with lively German and American tunes and hymns. The sound is originating from a 50-foot bell tower where installation of specially cast carillon bells and figurework for the Pied Piper of Hameln was completed in October, 1967. The tower, which was built in traditional Bavarian style architecture, can be seen from roads leading into Frankenmuth from the south. Before striking the hour, and on each quarter hour, the clock sounds the 5-bell Westminster chime. At Noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m. each day the Bavarian Inn Glockenspiel plays several selections which are immediately followed by figurine movement depicting the legend of the Pied Piper of Hameln.
Bavarian Inn’s Holz-Brücke, German for “wooden bridge,” hearkens back to a bygone era. Although the bridge was completed in 1980, its aesthetic has more in common with designs from the 19th century. However, it’s not just the architecture that speaks to the past, it’s also the hard work and craftsmanship that went into replicating how covered bridges were originally built. The “Covered Bridge” as it’s called locally, stretches 239 feet across the scenic Cass River. 163,288 board feet of wood and nearly 1,000 pounds of non-wood material went into the making of the almost entirely wood structure, built mostly of Douglas Fir and clad with an astounding 25,000 cedar shingles. In January 1980, a team of oxen was used to pull the completed bridge into place over a span of 12 days at a rate of only three inches per minute.
The 74-foot Figurinespiel Tower located at the Frankenmuth Cheese Haus tells “The World of Cheese,” an animated story about cheese making across Europe and the U.S. The story features five children and their pets from around the world, sharing their stories about their countries and some fun facts about the cheeses produced there. Characters include: Sophie from Holland and her duck, Lottie Mario from Italy and his goat, Gina Jacob from Germany, Otto the pig and Peter the rabbit. Anna from Ireland, her lamb Molly and her dog, Finn Michael from Frankenmuth and cow Betsey The ten-minute long story includes country-specific music and interactive moments with the audience geared to young and old guest alike. Story is told at 9am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm
Bronner's Silent Night Memorial Chapel, a 56-foot-tall landmark, is nestled on the southern tip of Bronner's 27 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. It is a replica of the original chapel in Oberndorf/Salzburg, Austria, which marks the site where “Silent Night” was first sung on Christmas Eve in 1818. Bronner's chapel is open daily - during store hours for visitation and meditation, but is not available for ceremonies. No charge for admission.
The Wolkensdoerfer Log House (house instead of cabin because this structure has two full stories rather than just one) was built by 27-year-old Johann Georg Wolkensdoerfer in August of 1852 in Frankentrost (between Maple and Bradley roads in Frankenmuth Township). As the Wolkensdoerfer name died out in the Franken-colony area, the house sat, was sided by additional wood (which most likely saved the structure from rot and other damage), and was used as a storage shed until 1975. While doing some updating to the "shed", William Daeschlein discovered the original logs and the true origin of the building. The Log House turned out to be the only remaining original log house in the township and one of the few remaining in the county. The structure was donated to the Frankenmuth Historical Association and was dismantled by a group of volunteers and the Frankenmuth Jaycees in August of 1976. Each piece was numbered and photographed as a plan for reconstructing the house when funds were available. The house was in storage from 1976 until 1982, when it was reconstructed at Cross Park. Inside, the house is restored to look similar to how a log house would look in the 1870's. The Frankenmuth Historical Association uses the house for programs for students, Boy and Girl Scouts, and as a host site for their Annual Pioneer Fest, the third Saturday of August.
Located in the heart of Frankenmuth, at the Cass River Dam, Frankenmuth’s Fish Passage project reconnects the fish of the Saginaw Bay to more than 73 miles of historically significant spawning areas. While the focus of the project is on fish passage, the project maximizes opportunities to benefit Frankenmuth’s local economy – keeping the river profile as it is today and adding opportunities for recreation that sustain the tourism industry and employment center through eco-tourism. Regionally, the project benefits the Saginaw Bay Watershed, supporting local and regional efforts to improve the premier water resource, creating a desirable recreation center, and a successful and sustainable tourism destination.
When Walter and Maria Palmer came to Frankenmuth in the early 1970’s, they were in search of a community in which they could establish a lodging business. They were introduced to Wally Bronner and eventually purchased a piece of property from him on the south side of Frankenmuth, just north of the famous Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. During their retirement, the Palmers, through their foundation; provided over $1.2 million in funding for various projects within the community, i.e., community holiday decorations, scouting, school music programs, Gunzenhausen Park and fountain and our summer community concert venue, the Palmer Schau Platz. One project the Palmers were always interested in but couldn’t complete during their lifetime; was a welcoming arch or gateway into Frankenmuth from the south. The archway, measuring 160 feet wide, crosses M-83 at the southern boundary of Frankenmuth between Townline Road in Frankenmuth Township and Weiss Street in the city of Frankenmuth near Bronner's Christmas Wonderland and Grandpa Tiny's Farm. The towers are taller than 26 feet.
Located just west of the Rose Garden is a memorial to the Chippewa Indians. Filled with history and symbolism, this landscaped area includes an arrowhead monument and an interpretive sign to educate the public on the Native Americans and their relationship with the settlers from Germany in 1845. Frankenmuth was founded by German settlers in 1845 to be a religous mission to the Chippewa Indians and to be the first of four colonies in the Saginaw Valley for immigrants from the Francionian region of Bavaria, Germany.
On October 14th, 1995 the Frankenmuth American Legion Post 150 dedicated this Memorial as a tribute to our veterans. It depicts war and peace, life and death, and hope. A granite block to the right of the Memorial explains the symbols incorporated in the structure. Benches invite pedestrians to escape the bustling streetscape and enjoy the beautiful landscape, fountain and sculpture.
The Frankenmuth Fire Department invites you to remember the innocent victims of the September 11 tragedy. Pause at the memorial erected by the Department's firefighters to honor 9/11's heroic first responders. Touch the twisted steel that vividly exemplifies the tragic events of that day. The memorial is a 900-pound, ten-foot steel section of I-bean from the World Trade Center and is mounted on a pentagon-shaped granite base. There are panels that summarize the events of September 11th, 2001 around the base.
The Gunzenhausen Platz recognizes the Sister City relationship between Frankenmuth and Gunzenhausen Germany. That Sister City relationship is one of the longest in the world spanning 50 years. In celebration and commemoration of that 50-year relationship the City of Frankenmuth, the Sister City Committee along with private donors constructed a fountain. It is topped with a bronze pair of dancing figures sculpted by Midland artist James Ardis. A delegation of nearly 100 Gunzenhausen residents came for the dedication held on Thursday, June 7, 2012.
In 1845, 15 German missionaries came over from Neuendettelsau to show the Native American’s “how wonderful it is to live with Jesus.” Temporary shelter was provided by a quickly constructed “community house.” A similar structure served as a church and parsonage. Although too late in the year for planting, the land was parceled out and clearing the dense forests began. Seventy acres were dedicated to church use. The following June, nearly 100 more immigrants arrived from Rosstal – Gunzenhausen – Nürnberg area. The newly expanded congregation began construction of a larger, sturdier “church – school – parsonage,” which was dedicated on Christmas Day 1846. A replica of the modest structure stands in its original location as a tribute to those members of St. Lorenz.
The Cheese Haus mouse was "born" in 1970. Generations of families have had their picture taken with the mouse for many years! The Cheese Haus Mouse is one of the most photographed image in all of Frankenmuth. The Mouse towers at 8ft, 4in tall!