Natural features have often played a role in the naming of communities. One such settlement was Big Rock. Named after a massive boulder, this hamlet was located at the crossroads of present-day M-32 and Thornton Road. Seth Gillet became the first . . . — — Map (db m33279) HM
A Milwaukee businessman, Cephas Buttles became aware of Lewiston through his brother-in-law David Kneeland, the president of Kneeland and Bigelow Lumber Company. In 1901 Buttles purchased 25,000 acres of cutover timberlands and started the Home . . . — — Map (db m33253) HM
In June 1933 two hundred unmarried, able-bodied men between the ages of seventeen and twenty-three, members of the Civilian Conservation Corps, set up camp on Hunt Creek. Soon after, they relocated to this site, which they named Camp Lunden. In 1936 . . . — — Map (db m33293) HM
Lewiston developed in 1891-1892 around the Michelson and Hanson Lumber Company. Dr. U.H. Traver and George Tuxworth held the first religious meetings in the lumber camp. The Reverend A.M. Hills was sent by the Congregational Conference of Michigan . . . — — Map (db m33303) HM
The life of a lumberman or early settler in Lewiston was hard and they worked long hours 6 days a week. Sundays were a day of rest however and after attending church and sharing a mid-day meal with family or friends, attention . . . — — Map (db m250552) HM
Through the history of Lewiston, 3 separate Town Halls buildings have stood near this site beginning at the founding in 1892. The first Town Hall was lost to the fire of 1917 and the town offices and functions moved to the second . . . — — Map (db m277959) HM
On this site stood the town band stand in the early 1900's. Lewiston at the time boasted a population of between 800 and 1,000 residents and that did not include the men at the many lumber camps and the transient workers in . . . — — Map (db m250604) HM
Lewiston's first school was chartered and built on this site in 1892. It was heated by wood stoves and burnt to the ground in 1894. This present structure was erected in 1896 and became the second main school. In the interim, . . . — — Map (db m277998) HM
On this site stood the M & H Company Store and Corporate Offices. In the late 1800's Lewiston was truly a company town. Major stockholders of M & H built their homes here and had streets named after them. The town itself was . . . — — Map (db m250600) HM
The Saw Mill was built in April, 1892, when there were only two framed houses in Lewiston. It burned to the ground in the first week of operation but was quickly rebuilt and was back in operation by August of that year. The mill . . . — — Map (db m250567) HM
The life of a lumberjack was one of extremes...hard labor, harsh weather, and many months away from home and loved ones. At the end of the long week, the men would look forward to Saturday night in town. It was a well-respected . . . — — Map (db m250538) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m250548) HM
When Lewiston was originally platted, the M & H Lumber Co. donated two lots north of town center so that a church could be built. The cost of the building was approximately $3,000 and the new Congregational Church was chartered . . . — — Map (db m277964) HM
The first banking operation in Lewiston was performed by the M & H Lumber Co. by way of the Company Store. Workers were allowed to "bank" their wages in the Company account if they wished and could receive credit or chits drawn . . . — — Map (db m250535) HM
The earliest form of electrical communication in the region was provided by telegraph lines strung along the RR tracks coming into town and connected to the telegraph office in the RR Station. The first telephone lines in this . . . — — Map (db m250602) HM
David Kneeland was a major stockholder of the M & H Lumber Co. and the first general manager when the mill opened here in 1892. He was also President of the Lewiston and Southwestern RR. Mill hands built this house for David and . . . — — Map (db m277960) HM
The Lewiston House Hotel stood at this site and was the first building erected in Lewiston by Swan Petersen for the purpose of housing the new mill's workers around 1891. Mr. & Mrs. Petersen became parents to the first baby born . . . — — Map (db m250599) HM
In 1901 Cephus Buttles of Milwaukee, Wisconsin came to Lewiston to open the Michigan Home Colony land company. The Corporation purchased huge tracts of cutover land from the lumber companies at $1.25 per acre and resold the . . . — — Map (db m250534) HM
The Quebec Hotel was one of Lewiston's earliest lodging establishments and was in operation at this site from 1902 to 1916.
Being situated across from the RR Depot, it was the first stop in town for many visitors. And they . . . — — Map (db m250540) HM
One of the most historic buildings in Lewiston, it was brought in pieces by wagon from Otsego Lake Village at the founding of Lewiston and the opening of the M&H Lumber Co. around 1891. Originally the building housed the Otsego . . . — — Map (db m250591) HM
Lewiston acknowledges with deep appreciation the contribution of Louise B. and John Fredman in planning, constructing and financing our village park.
Dedicated June 24, 1967 — — Map (db m251649) HM
