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William J. Terney was a prominent figure in Michigan’s lumber industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As a lumber baron, he played a significant role in the exploitation and development of Michigan’s vast forests. Lumber barons like William J. Terney were instrumental in the state’s economic growth, and their activities shaped the landscape and communities of Michigan during that era. The historical marker states that the house was built in the late 1880 and that information would have been provided by the organization filling out the request for the historical marker. Other research has suggested that the… Read More »

Otsego County is located in the northern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. It has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. Before European settlers arrived, the area that is now Otsego County was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Ottawa and Chippewa. These Indigenous people relied on the region’s abundant natural resources for their livelihood. Okkuddo County The original name of Otsego County was Okkuddo County, which meant sickly. However, the name was changed to Otsego on March 8, 1843, which means “clear water” or “meeting place”. The county was organized on March 12, 1875,… Read More »

On October 15, 1908, a series of fires swept through the pine forests of Presque Isle County, Michigan. The fires were fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, and quickly spread to the village of Metz. The fire continued to spread, threatening the county seat at Rogers City, and burning to the outskirts of the City of Alpena. The fire even jumped across Grand Lake before finally burning itself out at the Lake Huron shore. The extent of the losses at Metz led to the fire being referred to as “The Metz Fire,” but it devastated an area well beyond the… Read More »

Woolsey Memorial Airport is a publicly owned, public use airport located 3 miles northeast of Northport in Leelanau Township on the Leelanau Peninsula. It was built in 1935 and is owned and operated by Leelanau Township. The Airport is quite a site and unlike any other airport. The grass field is accented by a charming stone-sided air terminal and a gazebo-like observation deck. The airport has two runways. The East-West runway is 3,663 feet long and the North-South runway is 2,500 feet long. The terminal is unmanned and there are four hangars. History of the Airport Woolsey Memorial Airport has… Read More »

The Shay locomotive, also known as the Shay gear and locomotive, was a type of steam locomotive used primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially for logging and industrial purposes. It was invented by Ephraim Shay, who was a schoolteacher and a civil servant in Northern Michigan. Shay designed this unique locomotive to better navigate the rough and uneven terrain of the forests and industrial sites where it was used. Shay locomotives were known for their distinctive features: Geared Power Transmission: The Shay locomotive used a vertical, non-rotary power transfer system that included gears, drive shafts, and… Read More »