Driving Tours

Of

Alcona County Historic Sites

2013 Edition

Alcona Historical Society

Driving Tours of Alcona County Historic Sites

Welcome to three Driving Tours of Alcona County featuring locations designated as Historic Sites by the Historic Site Committee of the Alcona Historical Society. Enjoy these historic and scenic tours

Tour A: Haynes, Alcona and Caledonia Townships.

15 sites; 58 miles round trip; 3 hours and 15 minutes

Tour B: Harrisville, Gustin, Millen and Hawes Townships

16 sites; 48 miles round trip; 1 hour, 50 minutes

Tour C: Greenbush, Mikado, Curtis and Mitchell Townships.

16 sites; 126 mile round trip; 4 hours, 30 minutes

Please respect the premises of all historic sites. Do not enter private property without invitation.

Any reproduction of any part or section of this driving tour guide without the expressed written consent of the Alcona Historical Society (P.O. Box 174, Harrisville, Michigan 48740) is prohibited.

Bill Roorda Dave Tacia Lynn VanderLinde Linda Klemens

2

Tour A

Bailey School and Sturgeon Point Lighthouse

Mt Joy Cemetery

Mt Joy School

Village of Alcona (Old Alcona)

Low School Site - Black River

St. Gabriel Catholic Church

Rosa's Lookout Inn

Spruce General Store (Gillard's General Store)

Spruce Lutheran Church (Norwegian Lutheran Church)

Churchill Pointe Inn (Bennett's Tavern)

Spruce Presbyterian Church

Lost Lake Woods

Haynes Township Hall (Johnson School)

Haynes Community Church (Old Stone Church) Food Service:

Rosa’s Lookout Inn (on the tour)

Churchill Point Inn (on the tour)

Public Restrooms:

Sturgeon Point Lighthouse parking lot

Black River Park Boat Launch (Huron Drive, north of river)

Directions to First Site:

From the traffic light in Harrisville, drive north about 2.6 miles and veer right onto Lakeshore

Drive; go about 1.1 miles and turn right on Point Road; go about 0.9 miles to Sturgeon Point

Lighthouse parking lot: The schoolhouse is adjacent to the parking lot and the lighthouse is a

short walk north. 3

Old Bailey School

Old Bailey Log Schoolhouse and Museum (Haynes Township)

The schoolhouse was one of the few one-room schoolhouses still standing in Michigan. It was

built in 1907, at the site of C.A. Johnson Logging Camp west of Mikado, for the children of the

logging crews. (Herb Bailey was part of the crew that built the school.) In 1913, after the logging

camp ceased operating, the school was moved north about one mile to a site on F-30. (Herb

Bailey directed the crew that moved the school.) It remained in service until 1941. Partly

restored in 1973, it was disassembled, moved to Sturgeon Point, and restored to near original

condition in 1998.

Open May through October Phone 989 724 6297 for hours.

Directions to Next Site: Walk north about 450 feet (straight ahead).

4

Sturgeon Point Lighthouse

Sturgeon Point Lighthouse and Museum. (Haynes Township)

In 1854, Perley Silverthorn established a fishing station and cooperage at this site. The dangerous reef that extends 1½ miles east from Sturgeon Point presented a serious hazard to ships, so one of the earliest lighthouses in Michigan was built in 1869 and placed in operation in 1870. Mr. Silverthorn, the first Keeper, served from 1870 until 1874. In 1939 the lighthouse was electrified and automated and in 1941 the last personnel departed. The lighthouse fell into disrepair due to neglect and vandalism. In 1982 the Alcona Historical Society, under the leadership of Floyd Benghauser, leased the lighthouse and restored it, using mostly volunteer labor. The light, with its 3.5 order lens, is no longer used by the Coast Guard, but is kept operational by the Alcona Historical Society for the benefit of small boaters.

Open May through October and for special events Phone 989 724 6297 for hours.

Directions to Next Site: Return to Lakeshore Drive and turn right; go about 3.1 miles to Alcona Road and turn left; go about 0.7 miles to the cemetery:

5

Mt. Joy Cemetery

Alcona Road (Haynes Township)

Mt. Joy was the cemetery for the former village of Alcona. The actual date of the first interment

is unknown, but the earliest tombstone is that of Hannah Johnson who died on July 16, 1855.

Early settlers interred here included:William Hill, the “Commodore of the Cove” founder of the

village of Alcona; Perley Silverthorn, first keeper of the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse and first

captain of the Sturgeon Point Lifesaving Station; and Newton Edwards, the last mayor of

Alcona, which became a ghost town after 1893; Edwards continued to wear the gold badge of

office until his death at age 94 on July 3, 1957.

Open during daylight hours year-round. Entrance gate may be closed at times during the winter. Directions to Next Site: Proceed west on Alcona Road about 0.5 miles (left side):

6

Mt. Joy School

5130 Alcona Road (Haynes Township) In 1887, George Lee contracted to disassemble, enlarge, and move the former “No. 2

Schoolhouse” to the Alcona Road location. On January 21, 1888, Mt. Joy School was

established. It was reported at the time to be “one of the best schoolhouses in the county and the

best site in the state.” It served until it was closed and sold in 1948. It remains a private

residence.

Directions to Next Site: Return to the intersection with Lake Shore Drive. The historical site marker is on the right:

7

Village of Alcona

Village of Alcona (Haynes Township)

Circa 1855, William Hill established a fishery at this place, which was called The Cove. He had

five fishing boats and a lodging house. The settlement became the village of Alcona. In the

1860s and 1870s, Johnston, Haynes & Company built a saw mill here with a railroad for

transporting logs from the west, eventually from as far as present day Lost Lake Woods. By the

early 1880s, the community included three general stores, three hotels, a lumber dock and a

passenger dock. The 1000 residents made it one of the largest communities in the Huron Shore

region. In 1893, the sawmill was destroyed by fire. It was not rebuilt and residents began to

leave to seek other employment. By 1903 it was a “ghost town.”

Directions to Next Site: Go north about 4.2 miles to the intersection with Alger Smith Road; the historic site marker is on the southwest corner:

8

Low School Site Lakeshore Drive at Alger Smith Road

Site of Low School – Black River #2 (Alcona Township)

In 1868, the Alger-Smith Logging Company began lumbering operations in the Black River area

and, by 1879, consolidated its operations in Black River. By the early 1880s the company

employed 600 men and Black River became the largest community in the Huron Shore Region

with a population of 2000. The school was built in the late 1880s and initially had an enrollment

of 90 students. When the lumbering era ended in about 1900, both village population and school

enrollment declined. The school was moved west of town to Sand Hill in 1908.

Directions to Next Site: Continue across the bridge to Alcona Township Park and turn right:

9

Village of Black River (Alcona Township)

In 1849 “Uncle Billy” Cullings took up a “government forty” at the mouth of Black River

because of its ideal harbor. He built a permanent residence and established the base for his

fishing operations. He is considered to be the father of the village of Black River.

In 1868, Russell A. Alger and Martin Smith founded Alger, Smith & Company and began

lumbering operations in the Black River area. In 1876, the company began to build a logging

railroad from Black River into the interior. In 1879, the company consolidated all its operations

in Black River. By the early 1880s the company employed 600 men. By the 1890s Black River

had 2000 residents and succeeded Alcona as the largest community in the Huron Shore Region.

But when the lumbering era ended, the rails were pulled up and the village began to decline.

But, because of its excellent harbor, Black River did not become a “ghost town” like Alcona and

Springport. Instead, it reverted back to being a fishing village.

Directions to Next Site: ontinue about 0.1 miles to Black River Road:

10

St. Gabriel Catholic Church (Black River) 5570 N. Lakeshore Drive

Saint Gabriel Catholic Church (Alcona Township) The original settlers in Black River were primarily French Canadian trappers and fisherman,

many of whom were Roman Catholic. Therefore a mission congregation was established by

Sacred Heart Church, Au Sable, in about 1883. Father Cornelius Roche visited about twice a

year. In 1894 Alger Smith Lumber Company donated an acre of land and the church was built

under the direction of Father Julien Doucet. The church hall was added on the south side in

1976. This church served as the community center from 1893 through the 1950s. This modest,

wooden structure has faithfully served the community for over 100 years, and remains an active

Catholic parish today.

Directions to Next Site: Proceed west about 2.7 miles on Black River Road to US-23 and turn right; go about 4.1 miles:

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Rosa's Lookout Inn 6808 N. US-23

Rosa’s Lookout Inn (Caledonia Township)

In June 1933, William Gilliland and Archie Mc Intyre purchased 40 acres on the highway right

of way and built the Lookout Inn. Under several subsequent owners, and under different names,

it has continued as a restaurant. Under the previous owner it became Rosa’s Ristorante, which

served fine Italian/American fare. The present owner, Lisa Hensel, continued the cuisine but

changed the name to Rosa’s Lookout Inn by combining the original name with the previous

name.

Directions to Next Site: Return south on US-23, go about 0.8 miles and veer right on F41; go about 0.1 miles and turn right on Spruce Road; go about 2.9 miles to Spruce (right side):

12

Spruce General Store

1491 E. Spruce Road Gillard's General Store Caledonia Township

In 1897, Alex Bushey, with his wife Mary and two small sons, arrived in Spruce, where they

built the first general store in the area. Spruce had come into existence to serve the lumbering

community in the surrounding area. The original store was a 26’ x 44’ two-story structure with

living quarters in the back. The upper story became the community dance hall. Mr. Bushey

made a weekly trip by horse and wagon to the railroad depot in Black River to pick up supplies

for the store. Almost everything came in barrels. Subsequent owners included several

generations of the Gillard family, so the store was known to many as Gillard’s General Store.

Although no longer an old-fashioned general store in the original sense, for many years it kept

the same “down home” atmosphere. Currently, the store is not open for business.

Directions to Next Site: Continue west on Spruce Road 0.5 miles (left side):

13

Spruce Lutheran Church Norwegian Lutheran Church (Caledonia Township) In 1894 ten families of Norwegian farmers organized the Norwegian Lutheran Church and began

to raise money to build the church. Every Sunday, the minister traveled from Alpena to

Ossineke by train to be picked up by a family with a horse and buggy for conveyance to Spruce.

He spent the night in Spruce and returned to Alpena on Monday. To raise money the women

held coffee socials, box socials, sock knitting bees, and garden produce sales. The men cut the

trees and milled the lumber. In 1900 the new church sanctuary was dedicated by Reverend

Johnson.

Directions to Next Site: Continue west about 2.0 miles to where Spruce Road becomes Hubbard Lake Road. Continue west about 1.6 miles to Bennett Road. Turn left and go proceed 1.5 miles (left side):

14

Churchill Pointe Inn

(Bennett's Tavern) 5700 Bennett Road

Caledonia Township

The inn was built in 1926 by Edwin and Margaret Bennett from Jackson, MI and opened for

business in 1927. It was named Bennett’s Tavern, even though it served no alcohol. The

restaurant was on the first floor, with thirteen guest rooms and two bathrooms on the second

floor. A bell called the guests to breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mrs. Bennett was known as an

excellent cook, famous for her “Special Sunday Chicken Dinner” that was served to the public as

well as to the guests. The Bennetts operated the Inn for over 25 years. Other owners continued

to operate the Inn until 1990. In 1995 the Inn was purchased, restored and reopened by Don and

Sharon Geib from Rochester, Michigan.

Directions to Next Site: Return to the village of Spruce; Turn right on Gillard Road and go about 0.5 miles:

15

Spruce Presbyterian Church 6230 Gillard Road (Caledonia Township)

The First Presbyterian Church of Caledonia, with 68 members of Scottish and Swedish descent,

was formed in 1888. On October 26, 1894 an Annual Meeting was held in the new church. The

congregation was served by several ministers in the early years but on December 16, 1901, Rev.

C.M. Boyce was installed and served, with one six-year interruption, until his death in 1933. The

white clapboard church burned to the ground in October 1933. It was replaced by the present

Gothic-style building, which was dedicated on September 7, 1936. In 1979, the name of the

church was changed to Spruce Presbyterian Church.

Directions to Next Site: Continue south.5 miles on Gillard Road to Swede Road and turn left; go about 1.1 miles and veer right on Roe Road; go about 2.2 to F-41 and turn right go about 2.3 miles

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Lost Lake Woods

4243 N. Lost Lake Trail

(Alcona Township)

Established in 1926 by the Lincoln Land Company as a “Workingman’s Outdoor Club,” the Lost

Lake Woods Club encompasses 10,000 acres of land that includes over 500 private homes, a

club house, a golf course, hunting land, trails, lakes, beaches and a riding stable. Several original

cottages still stand, although the original clubhouse was destroyed by fire in 1945. Entrance to

the Club is by appointment only. For information, call (989) 736-8197.

Directions to Next Site: Continue south on F-42 for about 2.6 miles and turn left on McNeil Road; Go about 1.9 miles (right side)

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Haynes Township Hall

Johnson School (Haynes Township) 3930 E. McNeil Road

The school building replaced an older cement block structure built in 1910 for $1500. The

present building began to be used as a school in 1927. Several Polish families had farms in

Haynes Township. These families spoke no English at home, so when their children were

enrolled at Johnson School, the teachers had to teach them English while also teaching eight

grades of primary school. In 1947, the school closed. In 1963, the township bought the school

and it remodeled into Haynes Township Hall.

Directions to Next Site: Continue about 1.1 miles east on McNeil Road and turn left on Poor Farm Road; Go about 0.5 miles to the intersection with Shaw Road: Continue about 1.1 miles east on McNeil Road and turn left on Poor Farm Road; Go about 0.5 miles to the intersection with Shaw Road:

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Old Stone Church Haynes Community Church

4505 E. Shaw Road

In 1880 the Township of Alcona had 187 houses, 4 schools, 2 Churches, a

lighthouse, and 3 post offices. Presbyterians living there built their own white

frame church, the First Presbyterian Church of Alcona. In 1886, the Church

building was moved two miles west to the present site. In June 1924, sparks from a

roof fire at a neighboring farmhouse set the church ablaze. Many of the interior

features were saved, but the building was totally destroyed. Volunteers rebuilt the

church with stones found on surrounding farmland. It was reopened on June 6,

1934. In 1969, the church became the present nondenominational community

church.

End of Tour A: End of Tour A. Return to Harrisville; go east about 1.0 mile on Shaw Road and turn right on US-23; go south about 6.8 miles.

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Tour B Harrisville Depot

The Old Place Inn

Hollyhock Quilt Shoppe

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Harrisville United Methodist Church

Craftmakers Cabin

Seaver Country House

Springport Inn

Springport Cemetery

Last Civil War Soldier Memorial

Lincoln Depot (West Harrisville Depot)

Lincoln United Methodist Church

First Baptist Church of Lincoln

Trinity Lutheran Church

Barton City School (VFW)

Mud Lake Railroad

Food Service: Flour Garden (US-23 at the traffic light, Harrisville)

Mikado Tavern (F-41, just north of F-30) The Iron Skillet (Lake Street, one block north of Lincoln Depot)

Backwoods Bistro (Barlow Road at Traverse Bay Street intersection) Public Restrooms:

HarborTown Marketplace (opposite Mr. Ed’s IGA in Harrisville) Harrisville Harbor of Refuge

Directions to First Site: Begin the tour at the traffic light in Harrisville; go east on Main Street 4 blocks to Lake Street and turn left; drive 3 blocks to Dock Street and turn left; proceed 1 block:

20

Harrisville Depot

Dock Street Harrisville

In 1883 Russell Alger formed the Detroit, Bay City and Alpena Railroad. In 1895 it was

combined with the Alpena and Northern to form the Detroit and Mackinaw Rail Company. In

1900 depot sites were selected at Greenbush and Harrisville. Scheduled passenger service began

on December 15, 1901. The following month the new cut stone depot was completed in

Harrisville. Passenger service between Bay City and Alpena continued until March 31, 1951.

Directions to Next Site: Return from the station to Lake Street and turn right; proceed to Main Street and turn right; proceed 1½ blocks on Main Street (right side):

21

The Old Place Inn

309 E. Main Street, Harrisville The building was constructed in the 1870s as a private residence for Joseph Evans, the first

sheriff of Alcona County. Upon his death in 1899, his wife had the building remodeled and ran it

as the Cottage Hotel until 1935. It continued as the Harrisville Hotel until 1964, under James and

Maude McCullough and several other owners. The building became the El Dorado restaurant in

1973, the Harbor Lights Restaurant in 1981, and the Old Place Inn in 1988. The restaurant closed

in 1991. New owners Don and Sharon Hume reopened it on January 8, 1997.

Directions to Next Site: Next door to the west

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Hollyhock Quilt Shoppe

301 E. Main Street Harrisville

The land was purchased by Joseph Evans on March 26, 1875. He erected the Alcona House

hotel. In 1907 the building was remodeled and became a drug store and in 1909 it also became

the site of The Citizens Telephone Company. In 1980 it was sold to the Kosmiuk family and

became their residence. The present owners, Richard and Denise Hartz, acquired the property on

May 30, 2003 and began the restoration that will transform the building into its original

appearance.

Directions to Next Site: Turn right on 2nd Street and proceed one block (left side):

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Westminster Presbyterian Church 201 Second Street Harrisville

The congregation was organized on September 10, 1878 by the Reverend D. van Dyke. The

church was built in 1879 on land donated by George W. Colwell, a civic leader in Harrisville and

one of the owners of the Harrisville sawmill. The church continued until 1895, after which it was

used by the Episcopalians for five years. In 1906, the church reopened as the Westminster

Presbyterian Church, with the Reverend C.M. Boyce as pastor until 1933. He and his successors

have served, and continue to serve, the “yoked” Presbyterian Churches in Alcona County:

Harrisville, Haynes Township [until 1969], and Spruce.

Directions to Next Site: Continue one block to Church Street and turn left; drive one block to State Street (southwest corner):

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Harrisville United Methodist Church 217 N. State Street Harrisville

The Reverend Joseph P. Merchant came to Harrisville as a missionary in 1861. He formed

membership classes that met in a one story house that stood on the lake at the foot of what

became Church Street. They next met at a new school house on Court House Square. The present

church, the first in Alcona County, was built in 1867. Membership included such early settler

names as Conklin, Colwell, LaChapelle, Rutson and Van Buskirk. By 1899 the congregation had

grown to 140. The organ dates from 1891 and the glass windows date from 1924.

Directions to Next Site: Turn left onto State Street and go 0.2 miles to just past the traffic light (right side):

25

Craftmakers' Cabin 217 N. State Street Harrisville

The cabin was built as a WPA project in 1936 to house the Resort Bureau headquarters and

Information Bureau. The rustic log structure, 22’ x 32” in size, features a staircase with a large

curved log for a handrail, flattened log steps, and a massive stone fireplace with a log mantel.

After several seasons it was closed. Later the Chamber of Commerce reopened the cabin, hoping

to encourage tourism. On July 31, 1982 it became the Craftmaker’s Cabin, an outlet for

homemade arts and crafts.

Directions to Next Site: Continue south about 0.5 miles on US-23 to Clark Road and turn right; go west about 1.4 miles to McLean Road and turn left; go about 0.2 miles:

26

Seaver Country House

311 S. McLean Road Harrisville Township Bertha Moe “Birdie” Seaver, recently widowed, came to Springport Inn to vacation in 1929.

While exploring the area, she found and bought a vacant 120-acre farm. She immediately hired

contractors and began to enlarge and renovate the farmhouse into a lavish new house. In 1930

she went to Europe and brought back furnishing for the house. She also brought two Sicilian

burros, a saddle, a cart and necessary harnesses. In 1932 the house was completed. Life at the

farm was leisurely and genteel. A set of brass bells summoned diners to meals, which were

taken in the dining room.

Directions To Next Site: Continue south on McLean Road for about 0.5 miles to Springport Road and turn left; go about 1.1 miles to US-23 and turn left; go north about 0.1 miles to Springport Road:

27

Springport Inn

659 S. US-23 (Harrisville Township) The Inn was originally built in 1877 as the home of Joseph and Mary van Buskirk. Joseph

moved to Harrisville from Clio, Michigan in late 1864 after being discharged from the Union

Army after 3½ years of service during the Civil War. He had enlisted as a Private and rose to the

rank of Captain, participated in 20 battles and was wounded twice. He acquired 1800 acres of

timber and became wealthy as a lumberman. His settlement at Springport became a one-man

town, with a saw mill, a shipping pier, a general store, a farm and his mansion overseeing all of

his holdings. Van Buskirk died in 1905. In 1918 the mansion was sold to Carl Schmidt, the

original architect, who operated it as The Springport Resort, a luxury hotel, until 1949. It was

sold to Frank and Kathleen Wyman in 1951 and operated as the Springport Inn and Restaurant

until the 1980s. Ownership passed to Ken and Rebecca Stratton who reopened it as a bed and

breakfast. It continues in that mode under the ownership of Urs and Sue Schaffleutzen who

acquired and restored the mansion in 2003.

Directions to Next Site: Proceed south on US-23 for about 0.8 miles (right side):

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Springport Cemetery US-23 at Wallace Road Harrisville Township

Dating from before 1852, this is the oldest cemetery in Alcona County. The wife of carpenter

William Higginson was the first to be interred here. (William Higginson came to Springport to

build the first frame house in the region, for Joseph van Buskirk.) Many early settlers are

interred here, including:

William Conklin, First Supervisor of Greenbush.

Isaac Wilson, the first white settler in the Huron Shore Region.

Olive Independence Wilson, the first white child born in the region.

George Hamilton, early civic leader in Harrisville.

Joseph van Buskirk, builder of Springport Inn.

George Rutson, First County Clerk, Mayor of Harrisville (23 years).

George W. Colwell, one of the Harrisville saw mill owners (1876-88).

Directions to Next Site: Return north about 2.2 miles on US-23 to M-72 and turn left; go about 5.5 miles to Barlow Road and turn right; go about 2.0 miles to Traverse Bay Street in Lincoln and turn left; go 8 blocks to Trask lake Road, cemetery is on the right

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Last Civil War Soldier Trask Lake Road

Pvt. Josiah M. Donaldson was born in Pennsylvania and volunteered to serve during the Civil War just two weeks past his 14th birthday, claiming he was 18 years old. His father, Joel, also volunteered at the same time to serve in the same unit as his son. They were assigned to the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry, fought in 14 battles, witnessed Gen. Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, and served with a special guard at General Grant’s headquarters. Josiah was wounded several times during battles. After the war he came to Michigan and lived in the Lincoln, Spruce and Barton City areas. Josiah died January 19, 1937 and was buried at Twin Lakes Cemetery, Lincoln, next to his parents and wife. For unknown reasons, he never had a headstone until 2011 when two Alcona County residents, Janet Higgins and Marcia Simmons, applied for and obtained a Civil War era designed military headstone for his grave site. Pvt. Josiah Donaldson was the last Civil War veteran to have lived in Alcona County. In September 2011, the headstone and a Gustin Twp. special marker were the focus of a dedication ceremony. The special marker was placed at the cemetery's entrance.

Directions to Next Site: Return to Traverse Bay Street go ¼ mile east and turn left on Lake Street

Depot is two blocks north on Lake Street

30

Lincoln Depot and Museum

Lake Street at Fisk Street Gustin Township

The Detroit, Bay City and Alpena Railroad was built in 1883 by the Alger-Smith Logging

Company. The “West Harrisville” depot was built in 1886. The village was renamed Lincoln in

1889. In 1929 the railroad stopped service to Lincoln. The tracks were picked up and the depot

became a private residence from 1930 until 1996. It was restored as a depot under the leadership

of George Byelich and Dick Gillies.

Directions to Next Site: Continue north and go one block past the depot; turn right onto Main Street and go one block to Second Street:

31

Lincoln United Methodist Church

101 E. Main Street Church (Hawes Township)

The Methodist Church Society was organized prior to 1890. On October 3, 1896, the Society

bought a lot and proceeded to build the church. The men donated the labor and the women

raised the money. Rev. F.S. Ford held the dedication service on June 27, 1898.

Directions to Next Site: Continue one block on Main Street to First Street:

32

First Baptist Church of Lincoln

114 W. Alger Street Gustin Township In 1891, Alice Walker secured a minister to preach to the men at the Robert Walker Lumber

Camp. Out of this mission, a Sunday School was organized and lessons were begun in a local

schoolhouse. The church building was built in 1893 and dedicated in February 1895 as the West

Harrisville Baptist Church.

Directions to Next Site: Return to Main Street (F-41) and turn left; follow F-41 for about 2.3 miles to M-72 and turn right; go about 9.0 miles to Sanborn Road and turn right; go about 1.8 miles to Trask Lake Road; go west about 1 mile:

33

Mud Lake Lumbering Center of Alcona County

Mud Lake Village was the center of the great logging boom around 1880 – 1910 in Alcona County. From this area now known as Barton City, logs were cut, banked, and transported by railroad to Black River on Lake Huron, then rafted to lower Great Lakes cities. Many railroad spurs were built throughout the Mud Lake area to collect and move the logs. The railroads that were built in and around Mud Lake in the late 1800's were continually modified according to the needs of the lumber companies. As the logging operations in the forest relocated, so did the spurs of railroad lines used by the logging camps. Once the valuable timber was removed from a site and the camp closed down, the ties of the railroad spurs serving the area were pulled. This historic site honors the brief but intense “long log era” of the lumbering industry in Alcona County.

Directions to next site: Continue west about .4 mile

34

Trinity Lutheran Church

2096 Trask Lake Road Hawes Township

In the early 1900s, several German Lutheran families migrated from Ohio to farm the pine-stump

wilderness around Mud Lake. By 1906, these families were holding services in their homes.

The congregation was organized in 1907. The first “church” was a one-story shingled log house.

A tower was added to house a large and beautifully toned bell that had been donated. A Baptist

congregation bought an empty church in Mikado and had it moved to Barton City using six

teams of horses and log rollers. When the Baptist Congregation failed, the church was purchased

by Augusta Kohlman and given to the Trinity Lutheran Church. It was dedicated in 1937.

. Directions to Next Site: Continue west about 0.1 miles:

35

Barton City School

VFW Hall Hawes Township

The Barton City School building is still in use as a VFW hall. Until 1916, the elementary pupils

went to a school called “the one up on the hill.”

The Alcona County Herald reported, “In 1916, the studding, chimney and roof were completed

for a new Barton City school. It will be finished in 1916 as most of the work could be done

inside.” Later, it reported that, “School started in the new school last Thursday. Both teacher

and scholars seem well pleased with the change.”

The State approved the school as fulfilling the requirements of a State Standard school, the first

school in the county to reach this goal.

End of Tour B. Return to Harrisville by going east about 1.2 miles on Trask Lake Road; veer right onto Sanborn Road and go south about 0.7 miles to M-72; turn left and go to about 14.1 miles to Harrisville.

36

TOUR C

Saint Raphael Catholic Church

Klondike (Klondyke) School Site

Bailey School Site

CCC Camp Glennie

Glennie United Methodist Church

Curtisville Cemetery

Curtisville Civic Center (Curtisville School)

Curtisville Baptist Church

LaForge Centennial Farm

Wiedbrauk Centennial Farm

Sunnyside United Methodist Church

Old Mitchell Township Hall

First Baptist Church

Flynn Valley

Flynn Valley Cemetery

Cedardale School Site

Food Service:

Scott’s Family Dining (F-30 east of Glennie) Nick and Ivy’s in Curran

Buck Stop in Curran Public Restrooms:

Au Sable Vista Scenic Overlook (east of the Au Sable River) Huron National Forest Campground (M-65, 4 miles south of Glennie)

Hoist Lakes Foot Trail (M-65, 0.3 miles south of M-72) Directions to First Site: Drive about 4.8 miles south from traffic light in Harrisville to F-30; turn right and go west about 4.1 miles. The church is on the right:

37

St Raphael Church

F-30 at F-41 Church (Mikado Township)

This faith community began in about 1888 when Father P.C. Winter of the Au Sable Parish

began saying mass periodically at the McDonald home about a mile east and a half mile south of

here. Construction of the church began in 1893 under the direction of Father J.A. Doucet, also of

the Au Sable Parish. The main part of the building was constructed from material from an

unused Oscoda school-church. The finished building was dedicated on Sunday, August 18, 1895

with some 600 people in attendance. Lunch was served on the grounds. According to a

newspaper article, “The revenue from this source was nearly sufficient to clear up the

indebtedness of the church.” At the time of the dedication, the church was the only church

structure in this part of the county. Additions and modifications were made to the building in

1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1976 and 2000.

Directions to Next Site: Continue west on F-30 about 5.0 miles to Buhl Road intersection (NW corner):

38

Klondike (Klondyke) School Site

F-30 at Buhl Road School (Mikado Township)

Klondike School was one of the 5,100 one-room schools in use in Michigan in

1931. Only the foundation remains. The original one-room, wooden structure at

this location burned to the ground in September 1906, destroying all contents and

furnishings. The following year, Seth Bell & Son won the contract to rebuild the

school on the same location. Today only the foundation remains.

\ Directions to Next Site: Continue west on F-30 about 3.2 miles:

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Bailey School Site

F-30 just east of Bean Hill Road (Mikado Township)

Bailey School was one of the 5,100 one-room schools in use in Michigan in 1931. The structure

was moved to Sturgeon Point in 1998. Only portions of the foundation remain intact and visible.

Originally located at the site of the C.A. Johnson Logging Camp, the one room log school house

was constructed there in 1907 for the children of the logging crews. The 18x24 foot building was

made of locally cut Norway Pine. In 1913, the building was moved about one mile northeast to

this marked location west of Mikado, on property then owned by Asa Andrews.

Directions to Next Site: Continue west on F-30 about 0.9 miles and turn left on Rearing Pond Road; proceed 2.7 miles to Pine River N.F. Campground; turn right and drive 0.2 miles to the campground pavilion:

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CCC Camp Glennie

The historical marker is at the site of the first fish hatchery in the state. It was built by CCC

Camp Glennie to provide the fingerlings that restored fish to the Pine River after the

depredations of the loggers, who had used the river to float logs to the saw mills, thereby wiping

out both the fish and the habitat. Over 3.5 million young men were enrolled in the CCC during

the Great Depression. People with dads, brothers or uncles in the program are still grateful for

the money that was sent home to their families – it kept many of them from starving.

The rearing ponds can be seen near the CCC-built campground pavilion. The roads to and

beyond this site were also built by the CCC boys from Camp Glennie. They planted the

countless trees that returned the surrounding area from stump land to the forest you see today.

The actual location of the camp is a few miles away, actually in Iosco County. It is

commemorated by a Forest Service sign that pays tribute to the work of CCC Camp Glennie,

Companies 664 and 1687.

Return to F-30; continue west 9.4 miles to the village of Glennie; continue west on Bamfield Road about 0.1 miles past the intersection with M-65:

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Glennie United Methodist Church 5088 Bamfield Road Church (Curtis Township)

The church was organized on December 25, 1903 by Reverend W.F. Gawn, with 17 charter

members. The cornerstone was laid in 1905 and the church was dedicated on December 5, 1907.

In 1923 central heating was installed to replace the original wood stoves. A basement was built

and the structure was moved onto it. The horse shelter has been replaced with a parking lot and

in 1955 an addition was added.

Directions to Next Site: Continue west about 6.0 miles on Bamfield Road, across the Alcona Dam, to Brodie Road and turn left; go about 0.4 miles to Clouse Road and turn left; go about 0.2 miles;

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Curtisville Cemetery

Clouse Road Curtis Township

The earliest tombstone is dated 1892, but the cemetery is much older than that. (The records

were destroyed by a fire at the home of the sexton.) A number of war veterans are interred here,

beginning with Civil War veterans and continuing through every war since.

Directions to Next Site: Return to Bamfield Road and turn left; go about 1 mile to Curtisville Road and turn left; proceed about 0.5 miles:

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Curtisville Civic Center (Curtisville School)

Curtisville Road Curtis Township

In 1884 a one-room log schoolhouse was built at the site now occupied by the Curtisville Civic Center, on land donated by the lumber company of Moore and Tanner. It was the first school built west of the Au Sable River in Curtis Township. Later the school moved into another larger log building, also built in 1884, on the same site. The logs were eventually covered with clapboard

Directions to Next Site: Return on Curtisville Road about 0.5 miles to the Bamfield Road intersection: Cross Bamfield Road 0.1 miles to the Baptist Church

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Curtisville Baptist Church

Curtisville Road Curtis Township

The church was organized in 1880. The church building was built shortly thereafter on land

donated by Ebenezer Duncan Curtis, founder of Curtisville. Thirty to forty volunteers, using

hand-hewn logs, put up the building in the manner of a “barn raising.” Many of the building

materials were donated. Members canvassed for donations all over the region (Oscoda-Au Sable,

Lincoln, Harrisville, Alpena, Tawas, Prescott and Hale)

Directions to Next Site: Return to Bamfield Road, turn right and return to Glennie; Turn left on M-65 and go about 6.8 miles to M-72 Continue straight ahead on M-65/72 for about 4.5 miles (right side):

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LaForge Centennial Farm

6688 N. M-65 Mitchell Township This eighty acre Michigan Centennial Farm has been in the LaForge family since 1887. It was

originally owned by James and Emilie LaForge, one of many Ontario families that came to

northeast Michigan during the lumbering era. When the lumbering ended they chose to buy some

pine-stump land, to clear the stumps and become farmers. The present dwelling dates from 1961.

Directions to Next Site: Continue north about 0.3 miles on M-65/72 to Ritchie Road (SE corner):

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Wiedbrauk Centennial Farm 6825 Ritchie Road Mitchell Township

In 1890 this eighty acre Michigan Centennial Farm was purchased by Lewis Weidbrauk from the L.C. Smith Lumbering Company. He constructed a three room log cabin that was demolished and replaced in 1965. His log barn haymow is still standing and the spring, at which he watered for his livestock, is still flowing. He was a lumberman until the lumbering era ended. He chose not to “follow the timber” but to clear the stumps from his land and to become a farmer.

Directions to Next Site: Continue north about 0.6 miles on M-65/72 to Small Road and turn right; go about 1.0 mile to Reeves Road and turn left; go about 0.1 miles and look to the right:

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Sunnyside United Methodist Church Site

Original Site Mitchell Township

In 1910, a Ladies Aid Society was formed to raise money to build a United Methodist Church in

Curran. On November 19, 1919 the church was dedicated. The Reverend C.S. Brown was the

first pastor. In June of 1965 the church moved to its present site. The front steps and hand

railings of the original building are still visible. The current Sunnyside United Methodist Church

is located at 1995 North M-65 in Curran.

Directions to Next Site:

Continue north about 0.4 miles to Tower Road and turn left; go about 1.0 mile to M-65/72 and turn right; go just past the Post Office (left side):

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Old Mitchell Township Hall M-65 at Tower Road

Mitchell Township

The building dates from 1916. In addition to serving as the township hall, it was also the center

for all manner of community gatherings, including dances and live music presentations. In the

1940s a new Township Hall was built on Tower Road and the old hall passed into private

ownership.

Directions to Next Site: Continue north about 0.1 miles on M-65/72:

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First Baptist Church M-65 at Baldwin Road

First Baptist Church - Curran Mitchell Township

The congregation was organized on September 29, 1890 by the Reverend H.S. Mellon. Services

were held at “the old log schoolhouse” in Curran until the church building was purchased in

1915 from a Harrisville congregation and moved to Curran. It was dedicated on January 6, 1916

and has been in the continuous service to the community ever since.

Directions to Next Site: Continue north on M-65/72 for about 0.8 miles to the BP Station; continue north for about 7.9 miles past the BP Station and turn left on Flynn Valley Road; go about 4.5 miles and turn left; go about 2.8 miles to the site designation marker on the left at the site of Art Flynn’s farm. (Advisory: You may wish to skip the drive to the site designation marker. This involves about 7.3 miles of sand trail driving, through deer camp acreage, to reach the site of Art Flynn’s farm, of which there are no remnants.)

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Flynn Valley & Flynn Valley Cemetery

Flynn Valley Mitchell Township

The historical marker is placed at the site of the Art Flynn farm which dated from 1906. The

settlement was named for Art Flynn. As many as 30 families settled in this farming community

between 1900 and 1940. Today only one descendant family remains. At its height there were

three schools in the valley. Only one, the Daisy Dell School, remains. It is now a hunting camp.

The cemetery is on Cemetery Road which runs east from M-65 beginning 0.7 miles south of

Flynn Valley Road.

Directions to Next Site: Turn around and return to Curran and on about 6.0 miles to M-72;

Turn left on M-72 and go about 3.5 miles to Reid Lake Foot Travel Area (right side):

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Cedardale School Site

M-72 at Kohler Road

Millen Township

Cedardale School was one of the 5,100 one room schools that were in use in

Michigan in 1931. Only portions of the foundation of Cedardale School remain

intact and visible.

End of Tour C: End of tour.

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About the Alcona Historical Society

The Alcona Historical Society was formed to preserve the rich history of the Alcona County area. The Society realizes the value of the past and its importance to future generations.

Members of the Society take pride in the restoration and stewardship of the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, the Bailey School, the Lincoln Depot, and numerous other educational and social projects and events undertaken yearly. Members donate hundreds of hours each year to greet visitors at the Society's three museums and to explain maritime, railroad, lumbering, educational, and farming history in the area. The organization relies on its members to fulfill the mission for which it was founded: to locate, preserve, protect, restore, and record the historical records, objects, sites, photographs, personal histories, and lands of Alcona County. Please join us in this important work. If you wish to join the Society and/or care to make a memorial contribution or donate money, all contributions are tax deductible and may be made payable and sent to: Alcona Historical Society, P.O. Box 174, Harrisville, Michigan 48740.

Membership Single $15 Family $30 Sponsor $50 or more

Please include name, full address, phone number(s), email (if available), and choice of membership. If you know of a place or site that is important to the history of Alcona County and is at least 50 years of age, please consider nominating that site for historic marker consideration by the Historic Site Committee. You may do this by writing to the Historic Site Committee, P.O. Box 174, Harrisville, Michigan 48740. If you wish to donate or share historical items, papers, photographs, or memories, or if you want to view the historic collection of Alcona County, please write to the address listed above.

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