Category Archives: small towns

The Big Fish

Posted on by Posted in small towns .

Kalkaska, Michigan, is home to the impressive National Trout Memorial, a prominent statue often referred to as “The Big Fish” or the “Fisherman’s Shrine.” This iconic landmark, dedicated in 1966, features a large brook trout, Michigan’s official state fish, measuring approximately 17 to 18 feet in length. The statue is typically set within a fountain, which operates during warmer months and is illuminated at night, creating a striking visual. Its base incorporates wash stones from nearby Torch Lake and Michigan Petoskey stones, further connecting it to the state’s natural beauty. Located across US 131 from downtown Kalkaska, in front of the Kalkaska Historical Museum, the memorial serves as a welcoming sight for travelers heading “Up North” and a proud symbol of the town’s rich fishing heritage.

The National Trout Memorial holds deep significance for Kalkaska, embodying its identity as a premier destination for trout fishing. The town proudly hosts the annual National Trout Festival, an event that celebrates this heritage and draws visitors from far and wide. The statue itself has undergone various iterations and restorations over the years, with the current fiberglass rendition being the third version since the original installation. More than just a roadside attraction, “The Big Fish” is a beloved local icon, a testament to the community’s connection to its natural resources, and a constant reminder of the excellent trout fishing opportunities that abound in the surrounding rivers and streams.

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The Old Church in Deckerville

Posted on by Posted in Churches, small towns, Thumb .

This old church stands on a farm along a dirt road near Deckerville. The town owes its name to Charles Decker, who established his lumber business in 1870. His construction of a sawmill and gristmill helped draw people to the area, leading to Deckerville’s incorporation as a village in 1893. Charles’s son, Martin Decker, served as the first postmaster in 1870, and the town eventually became a stop on the Pere Marquette Railroad.

The Thumb area experienced significant forest fires in both 1871 and 1881. While destructive, these fires had an unintended benefit: they cleared vast tracts of land, quickly transforming the region into a highly productive farming area.

Throughout its history, Deckerville has been home to a variety of industries. Beyond its initial lumbering roots, the village has seen fur-trading, woolen mills, flax mills, brick making, and even a sauerkraut factory. At one point, cheese making was also a thriving local industry.

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Covington

Posted on by Posted in small towns, upper peninsula .

 

Covington, a small Upper Peninsula town near the M-28 and 141 junction, is a quiet place. It consists of a few homes, a post office, a striking church, and an abandoned general store. Founded in 1895 and named by its first postmaster, John Lyons, after his Kentucky hometown.

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Algansee

Posted on by Posted in small towns .

This old general store stands in the southern Michigan town of Algansee. Located on the eastern edge of Branch County, Algansee was established in 1838, separating from Quincy Township. Luther Stiles and Ludovicus Robbins are considered the first white settlers in the area. Remarkably, both families arrived on the same day, despite not knowing each other. Robbins was leading the journey when he got stuck in the mud, allowing Stiles to arrive slightly ahead, earning him the distinction of being the first permanent resident.

The inaugural township meeting and election took place at Horace Purdy’s residence in early May 1838. The settlers initially favored naming their new township “Carlton,” but the state legislature, seemingly fascinated with “Indian names,” opted for “Algansee.” This name, likely a product of the era’s fascination with Native American culture, appears to be a fabricated term with no actual meaning in the indigenous languages of the region.

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Lost In Deefield

Posted on by Posted in Grain Elevators, small towns .

I saw this old building along the River Rasin in the southeast Michigan town of Deerfield. I am guessing it was some sort of grain elevator or somthing agraculture related, but I am not sure. Deefield was first settled by William Kedzie in 1828 who named the town Kedzie’s Grove. It was renamed to Deerfield in 1837. The name came from the numerous deer in the area.

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Lost In Jerome

Posted on by Posted in Forgotten Places, small towns .

The small town of Jerome is located in southern Michigan, northeast of Hillsdale. In 1871, the Detroit, Hillsdale, and Indiana Railroad ran a rail line through the southern Michigan forest. In anticipation of the new railroad, landowner Jerome Smith purchased land and plotted a new town named after himself. He served as the town’s first postmaster and worked as an agent for the railroad. The town’s population grew rapidly, with several businesses relying on the trains that stopped at the town’s depot. In 1906, a large two-story brick schoolhouse was built.

Eventually, the train no longer stopped in the town of Jerome, and the community began to decline. The school was closed in 1960, and the students were bused to nearby North Adams. The businesses faded away, and the two old, dilapidated buildings still stand on Main Street, remembering a time of a prosperous Jerome. A few houses still stand in the little town, and the old school has been converted into a community center.

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Dollar Settlement

Posted on by Posted in small towns, upper peninsula .

I previously shared a post about an intriguing railroad car located in Dollar Settlement, near Brimley. Thanks to the kindness of several commenters, I’ve uncovered some fascinating details about its history. Thank you to Steve and Pauline.
Dollar Settlement owes its name to Joseph “Joe” Dollar, a local legend who navigated the waters of Lake Superior, delivering essential mail and supplies to the region’s inhabitants. His modest log cabin stood on the lakeshore, just north of the railroad car’s current resting place.
The railroad car arrived as a hopeful replacement for Louise’s Hamburger Stand, a beloved local eatery. The plan was to transform it into a new dining destination, carrying on the legacy of Louise’s famous, secret hamburger sauce recipe. Unfortunately, this dream was never realized.
Carol Eccleston and her son John, Louise’s granddaughter and grandson, were the driving force behind this ambitious project. However, Carol’s declining health and limited resources hindered their efforts. Despite facing zoning challenges from the local township, which they ultimately overcame, the extensive restoration required for the rail car proved too daunting. Today, the car remains a silent testament to a dream deferred, serving only as a storage space for the family.

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Lost In Hell

Posted on by Posted in small towns .

I drove through Hell the other day and it’s not a bad place to visit, at least the small town in Michigan not the one with fire and brimstone. The little town near the Pickney Recreation Area is mostly a tourist destination with an ice cream store, miniture golf, a gift store and saloon.

There are a couple of intriguing theories about how the town acquired its unique name. According to Walter Romig’s Michigan Place Names, the frequent drunken brawls that occurred in the area may have inspired the moniker. However, a more colorful tale suggests that the name originated from the local gristmill owner, George Reeves. It seems Reeves had a habit of paying farmers with homemade whiskey, leading their wives to exclaim, “He’s gone to Hell again!” when inquiring about their husbands’ whereabouts during harvest time. This humorous anecdote eventually led to the town’s official name in 1841 when the post office was established.

The town located about 15 miles northwest of Ann Arbor and its a nice place to visit when its not froze over during the Michigan winter.

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Downtown Winn

Posted on by Posted in small towns .

The small town of Winn, located west of Shepherd, traces its roots back to 1867. Its original name remains a subject of debate, with potential origins linked to either Mr. Winn or Wynn England. Wiley Dush, the town’s plotter, renamed it Dushville in 1898. However, following Dush’s passing in the same year, the town’s historical name of Winn was reinstated. This big old building stands in downtown. It looks as if it has seen many customers back in the day but not so much now.

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The Old School In Norwood

Posted on by Posted in Schools, small towns .

 

Situated in the center of the charming community of Norwood, south of Charlevoix, stands an old schoolhouse, a relic of the town’s vibrant past. Founded in 1866 by Orvis Wood, Lucius Pearl, and Orwin Adams, Norwood thrived as a bustling lumber-shipping center. The town’s strategic location on the shores of Lake Michigan, coupled with its abundance of timber, fueled its growth. Sawmills, a company store, and blacksmith shops dotted the landscape. The name “Norwood” was aptly chosen, reflecting the town’s serene setting in the northern woods. As the lumber industry waned, so too did Norwood’s population. Today, the town is a peaceful retreat, primarily residential, with a charming church and the historic schoolhouse, now a museum, preserving its rich heritage.

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