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Nestled in the heart of Crawford County, lies the eerie remnants of Pere Cheney. Pere Cheney was once a thriving lumber town that is now shrouded in ghostly tales and mysterious legends. Founded in 1874 by George Cheney, the village quickly grew into a bustling community. A land grant from the Michigan Central Railroad Company established a stop along the railroad. By the 1870s, Pere Cheney boasted a population of approximately 1,500 residents. There was a general store, sawmills, a hotel, and a post office. However, by 1917, this vibrant settlement had dwindled to a ghost town. The land was… Read More »

A Carnegie library is a library constructed with funds donated by the Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Between 1883 and 1929, a total of 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built. Many of those within public and university library systems. Of these, 1,689 were in the United States, 660 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and 125 in Canada. There were 25 more scattered across Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Serbia, Belgium, France, the Caribbean, Mauritius, Malaysia, and Fiji. Personal Connection Initially, Carnegie focused on establishing libraries in areas with which he had a personal connection. Places such as his birthplace… Read More »

The Quincy Dredge Number Two, originally known as the Calumet and Hecla Dredge Number One, is an important piece of industrial history. It is currently submerged in shallow water in Torch Lake, just across M-26 from the Quincy Mining Company Stamp Mills Historic District, near Mason in Osceola Township. This dredge was constructed with the primary purpose of reclaiming stamping sand from the lake for further processing. It was recognized for its historical significance and designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1978. Quincy Mining Company From 1898 until 1967, the Quincy Mining Company operated a smelter in Ripley. This… Read More »