I was today years old when I found out what a Michigan Basement was. And I'm pretty sure I've been in one several times. I just didn't realize there was such a designation.

I mean if you've wandered down into one creepy, wet, damp, unfinished basement with dirt floors, you've pretty much seen them all right?

The Michigan Basement is the thing of lore and possible nightmare fuel. No one wants to go down into one because let's face it, why should you? What could possibly be down there? A hot water heater, some bugs, maybe some rats, and oh yeah...THE BOOGIE MAN.

Ok not so much the Boogie Man but if he did indeed reside in your house, he's either hanging out in your closet or the Michigan Basement.

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And they all have the same look and feel.

Nope.

For the record, what and why is it a "Michigan Basement"?

Think of it as a crawlspace under the house that was evolved into a basement.

A common design of the times, most Michigan basements were referred to as root cellars and housed food stored for the winter.

After the 1920s, some homeowners dug the original crawl spaces deeper to accommodate additional storage as the economy improved and they acquired more possessions. Many upgraded to cinderblock walls and poured concrete floors. (everdrytoledo)

It's where hot water heaters and other non working appliances go to die.

via prugarinc.com
via prugarinc.com
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via acculevel.com
via acculevel.com
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Most of them are unfinished, have dirt floors, have moisture problems, you get the gist of it.

A Michigan basement is definitely not meant to be used for entertainment purposes. It’s basically a step above a crawl space. (upgradedhome)

And to that, we Michiganders say "hold my beer and hand me that level".

Photo by Adam Winger on Unsplash
Photo by Adam Winger on Unsplash
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How much does it cost to get started on your Michigan Basement upgrade?

We'll leave that to the EXPERTS.

SEE MORE: Home For Sale: Barn Turned Into Amazing Home In Jackson, Michigan

Check out these photos of huge barn converted into a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom house.

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