Higgins Lake in Roscommon County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Packing House
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023
1. Packing House Marker
Constructed in 1935, this building was the heart of Higgins Lake Nursery. From here, hundreds of millions of tree seedlings were packed and shipped all over Michigan.
To protect the four- or five-year-old trees' delicate root systems during shipment, nursery workers wrapped them in damp moss and burlap. They were then placed in large wooden crates that held 5,000 seedlings on trucks at the loading dock.
Advances and Accomplishments
In 1953, large walk-in coolers were added to the packing house basement, replacing the ice house for seed storage. Up to 1,000 pounds of seed were kept in airtight milk containers at 32-39°F. Seeds kept in these conditions could still sprout ten years later.
The nursery was successful in its mission of replanting Michigan's forests. It closed in 1965.
Erected by Michigan History Center and Department of Natural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.
Location. 44° 30.928′ N, 84° 45.451′ W. Marker is in Higgins Lake, Michigan, in Roscommon
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Michigan's First Fire Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Ice House (within shouting distance of this marker); Cone Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hale Fire Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Beginning of State Reforestation (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the Higgins Lake Nursery and CCC Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Civilian Conservation Corps (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023
2. Packing House Marker
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023
3. Packing House
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023
4. Packing House
This marker is part of the exhibits at the Higgins Lake Nursery.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 264 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on September 30, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 7, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
