Rail Roads in the Big Timber Era

Rail Roads in the Big Timber Era. . , Rail Roads were extremely important to the timber industry and the early development of Lewiston and the surrounding area. Prior to rail transportation, logs were floated by river to the saw mills. Hunt Creek and the Thunder Bay Water System provided transport to Alpena. Canada Creek and Black River brought timber to Cheboygan and Big Creek to the Ausable River floated logs to mills in Oscoda. , , In the early 1900's there were 4 RR companies serving the mills and logging camps in Montmorency County. The Twin Lakes Branch of the Michigan Central RR ran from Grayling to Lewiston and operated the Lewiston Depot at this location. Passenger, mail and freight cars accompanied the log train to Lewiston and provided essential services to the Lewiston community. The train cam into town from the south shore of West Twin Lake and continued north between the lakes to a WYE where the engine was turned around and the train backed into town from there to the depot and the mill. It took approximately an hour and 15 minutes to travel the 27 miles from Grayling. A round trip ticket to Bay City cost $1.80 at the time. The MC RR to Lewiston ceased operation after the last of the local hard wood was harvested in 1929 and the rails were taken up in 1932. , , The other RR that came into town was the Lewiston South Eastern RR. It was a narrow gauge line constructed in 1891 for the sole purpose of hauling timber from the camps north of Mio to the M and H Mill. It came into town from the south, passing between Little and Big Wolf Lakes. It was closed and dismantled in 1910 when the timber in that area was harvested. , , Two other RR's operated in Montmorency at approximately the same time. The Valentine Branch of the Detroit Mackinac RR came into Montmorency county from the north passing by Clear Lake to Valentine Lake and into the west side of Hillman. The Boyne City, Gaylord and Alpena RR ran from Boyne City to Alpena passing through Atlanta where they established a depot, engine house, and supply barn. The BCG and A RR was owned by the E.H. White Lumber Co. to service the many logging camps the company had operating in Northern Montmorency County. In 1934 the last stand of virgin hard wood was cut and the rails were taken up. The BCG and A RR was the last operating in the County and thus ended the era of Big Timber and Rail Roads in this region. Lost but not forgotten, one can hardly venture through the local forests without finding one of the old rail beds that crisscrossed the county , and if one listens closely on a moon lit night, you might hear the lonely whistle of the Ghost Train said to be passing through the county from days gone by. , , Donated by Mike and Darcy Dombrowski and Peter and Susan Stephens. , , The Lewiston Heritage Trail is a DDA project funded by private donors with period photos and historical text provided by the Lewiston Area Historical Society.