The Houghton Lake
May 9, 2019
State park roots deep at Higgins Lake,
HartwickOne hundred years ago, the Michigan Legislature Pines es- in Michigan, state parks receive 28 million annual visitors. Another theme that runs through the three parks is the tablished the Michigan State Park Commission to oversee, In a recent interview with Josh Pellows, unit manager of memories that visitors make, many through multiple genera- acquire and maintain public lands for state parks. North Higgins Lake State Park; Rachel Roberts, unit super- tions of families. In 1919, Interlochen State Park became Michigan’s first visor of South Higgins Lake State Park; Densie Dawson, “I run into folks that say, ‘I’ve been coming here since official state park, having been purchased by the state Legis- unit supervisor of Hartwick Pines State ParK; and Hillary I was three years old and I remember when the loops went lature in 1917. Pine, historian at Hartwick Pines State Park, the four shared this way instead of this way and you could camp right on the Locally, three state parks are within a half hour’s drive or their thoughts on the importance of state parks and some water. I’ve been bringing my kids here and now my kids are less – South Higgins Lake State Park, North Higgins Lake stories from their work. bringing their kids,’” Roberts said. “We have a lot of those State Park and Hartwick Pines State Park. One of the underlying themes from the group was that stories, just a lot of visitors that have been coming their The trio of state parks have a rich history and continue to state parks give opportunities to people who would not entire lives and now their kids are bringing their children. So provide opportunities for visitors to enjoy nature and make normally have them. we’re seeing generations of families that have their favorite memories. “It allows access to recreational grounds to anyone,” Pel- site, they have their favorite spots. …So many people, have The oldest of the three parks, South Higgins Lake State lows said of Higgins Lake. “It gives people that lake access so many great memories of the park.” Park, opened July 1, 1927 with 15 campsites, 50 tables, 24 to go out there on that spring-fed lake and see the crystal- Pine said Hartwick Pines also has a lot of generational stoves, two wells and several toilets. According to the park’s blue, kind of Caribbean-style waters.” visitors. historical timeline, 14,625 guests visited the park – then sim- He said during the summer, it is not uncommon to “Speaking from an agricultural resources standpoint, at ply named Higgins Lake State Park – in 1927. find teenagers at the beach, gazing up at the stars and the Michigan History Center we’re all about sharing real sto- In 1927, the land Hartwick Pines State Park sits on was remarking, “I’ve never seen stars.” He said the visitors are ries and that’s definitely part of why state parks are impor- donated by Karen Hartwick. It officially became Hartwick amazed by the the stars in the sky because of the lack of tant,” Pine said. Pines State Park in 1935. light pollution. The parks also have resources to tell the stories in terms North Higgins Lake State Park was first a state forest “It helps give people that connection to natural resources of museums and exhibits. campground, beginning in the 1920s, and officially became that we have,” Dawson said. During Hartwick Pines’ Maple At North Higgins Lake State Park, visitors can visit the a state park in 1963. Syrup Days, she said she has met people who do not know Higgins Lake Nursery and Civilian Conservation Corps In the years since they opened, thousands have visited the that maple syrup comes from maple trees. Museum. parks and their popularity continues to grow. “There’s learning and educational opportunities, too, that “The CCC did so much across the state for state park According to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), can come out of state parks as well,” Dawson said. infrastructure,” Pine said, adding that she has met a lot of people who have never heard of the CCC. Educating people on the work the CCC did in Michigan is important. “All the people that come to vacation in northern Michi- gan and they just take for granted these forests, clean rivers and lakes that weren’t this way 90 years ago and most of it is directly because of the work the CCC did,” Pine said. Pellows said there is something to learn at every facility. “Not is it only about the recreational part of having fun, getting a sunburn, swimming and boating, you truly learn something at every location, too,” he said. Sharing experiences with others is another theme the group said visitors to the parks have. Pine said a woman, who recently called to reserve a campsite for a Boy Scout group, was excited because she had camped at Hartwick as a child and wanted to be able to give that experience to those kids. “Seeing different generations share their stories and their favorite parks with younger generations” is a positive Pine said she observes. Pellows said he watches visitors to their parks grow up through their visits. He said he will see someone he first met while they were being pushed in a stroller and now that same young visitor “is driving grandma and grandpa into the campground.” Roberts told a story of a group that has been coming to the park every year, even before she began working at the park in 1998. She said one of the daughters was “just a little thing” when she started working there and last summer, the woman DECADES OF MEMORIES got married on the park’s beach. A photo from the 1960s shows a Chevrolet driving by the entrance to Higgins Lake State Park - now known as South Roberts said the woman told her, “This is my favorite Higgins Lake State Park. In 1961, vehicle permits to enter the park were 50 cents for a day or $2 for an annual permit. place in the whole wide world. I told my husband this is By 1967, the rates were $3 for a Resident Annual sticker and entry was a dollar a day for residents. (Courtesy photo) (continued from page two) PAGE 2 HOUGHTON LAKE RESORTER History, beauty draws visitors to North Higgins North Higgins Lake State Park offers a Higgins Lake, the Higgins Lake Nursery mixture of history and beauty to visitors. and Civilian Conservation Corps Museum In addition to offering access to the are located across the road from the park. crystal-blue waters of Higgins Lake, North The museum tells the story of the Civilian Higgins offers visitors a chance to see the Conservation Corps and its role in provid- significance of one of the first nurseries in ing work to young men during the Great North America. Depression. “Historical features as well as unique On June 15, the CCC Museum will resources of lake access, beach access and celebrate its grand reopening with updated camping in proximity to Higgins Lake,” is exhibits. what North Higgins Lake State Park Unit The museum first opened in 1985 and Manager Josh Pellows sees as the draw for while it has had a few updates here and visitors to the park. there, it has not changed for the most part, The park is located on property that was said Hillary Pine, historian for the museum. originally the Higgins Lake State Forest She said the new exhibits will be “telling POSTCARD FROM THE PAST Reserve, created in 1901. In approximately the story in a whole new way.” The Higgins Lake State Forestry is pictured in a historical postcard. The Higgins Lake 1925, it opened as a State Forest Camp- Additionally, new outdoor signs for Hig- State Forest Reserve was created in 1901. Today, at the Higgins Lake Nursery and Civil- ground and became a state park in 1963. gins Lake Nursery are now in place, telling ian Conservation Corps Museum, visitors can learn about the important role the Hig- North Higgins Lake State Park is open the story of the nursery and how seedlings gins Lake Nursery played in the reforestation of Michigan. (Courtesy of Barb Swain) year round, offering five sites and two from Higgins Lake went out and replanted which began as the Higgins Lake Conserva- proximately 1.9 miles of the Iron Belle Trail mini-cabins for winter camping. The rest of Michigan. tion Training School, established in 1941. biking route that runs from the east side of the park, including the bathrooms, are open The park is also home to a State Park According to the Michigan DNR website, the park to the west side of the park and from the third Saturday in April to around Explorer Program, which offers events “The campus occupies 32 acres of wooded connects the park to the neighboring RAM Halloween. In total, the park has 174 camp- throughout the summer. land, including 660 feet of Higgins Lake Center. ing sites. Located near North Higgins Lake State shoreline. Many of its existing buildings Staff of North Higgins Lake State Park In addition the camping and access to Park is the Ralph A. MacMullan Center, were constructed by the Civilian Conser- also oversee Reedsburg Dam, Houghton vation Corps from 1939-1942, and many Lake State Forest Campground, Canoe other individuals and organizations helped Harbor State Forest Campground and access create the furnishings that gave the center its sites on Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake and unique ‘up-north’ style.” AuSable River. A recent addition to the area is the ap- For information, call 821-6125.
State(continued frompark page one) rootsRoberts said deep campers spend hours and where I’m getting married.” hours getting ready for the event and add She said the group had said that one of something new each year. them needed to get married at the park and “It’s awesome just to see what they do,” the woman told Roberts, “I said when I was Roberts said. little it was going to be me and I stuck to it.” “They’re building memories,” Dawson “It was really cool,” Roberts said. added. Programming at the park is another All four encouraged people to visit the aspect that brings in visitors. parks, especially those who live in the area. Roberts said the South Higgins Lake “We have the best three state parks in the State Park Halloween Fest has grown into a country,” Pellows said, laughing, adding the huge event that fills the campground for two “locals need to come visit.” weekends in the fall. Its first year, the event “For $11 on your license plate you can go was held one weekend and 46 campsites every day,” Pellows said of the Recreational STANDING THE TEST OF TIME were full. Passport. “And every day can be different... The Lodge, Higgins Lake State Park, is depicted in this historical postcard. The building “It’s a huge draw for our area,” Roberts it gets your whole family in, in one vehicle.” was built in 1935, eight years after the park opened, by the Civilian Conservation Corps said, noting the park has a great group of (CCC). The building, now known as the Park Store at the South Higgins Lake State volunteers that come back every year and “There’s so many different things to do,” Park, was once the caretaker’s residence. When the building was built in 1935, 26,885 the “campers go all out” for the event. Dawson added. people visited and camped in the park during that year. (Courtesy of Barb Swain)
Family Owned & Operated since 1975
View all of our listings at: higginslakeinfo.com houghtonlakeinfo.com Higgins Lake Houghton Lake 989.821.6208 989.366.8740 STATE PARK CENTENNIAL, 2019 PAGE 3 Hartwick Pines historically
significantGrayling’s Hartwick Hartwick state Pines was the parkHartwick Pines State Pines State Park offers visi- site of an active logging Park is open year round tors a glimpse into what life operation in the 1890s. with programming offered was like during Michigan’s “Historically, the whole throughout the year from logging days. place is of significance,” Black Iron Days in August The park not only offers Pine said, noting the park to snowshoe hikes in Febru- camping, it also provides a includes the remains of a ary. chance to see one of Michi- logging camp, sawmill site Other programming in- gan’s last stands of majestic and railroad siding town. cludes Wood Shaving Days, old-growth pine forest. The “There was a lot of stuff Maple Syrup Days, Forest Hartwick Pines Logging that happened in this small Fest and Harvest Fest. The Museum depicts the state’s area that was just Hartwick park also has a rustic cabin it 19th-century logging era, Pines,” she said. “It’s much rents throughout the year. giving visitors a chance to thanks to the foresight and This summer, for the first see what life was like when dedication of Karen Hart- time in 25 years, the park’s Michigan led the nation in wick that we have the park Memorial Building will be sawed lumber production. today.” open. The building was built At nearly 10,000 acres, The park offers a visitor’s in 1929 and served as the Hartwick Pines is one of center, 100 camping sites original visitor’s center. the largest state parks in the (open April through mid- lower peninsula. November), weekly pro- In order to be open, it “We have the largest gramming throughout the will have to be staffed so the stand of old growth timber summer and lots of trails to park is looking for volun- left in the lower peninsula,” explore. The East Branch teers to help staff it. Calling HARTWICK PINES TODAY said Hillary Pine, historian of the AuSable River comes ahead to see if the building Hartwick Pines State Park features the largest stand of old growth timber left in the at Hartwick Pines State through a small portion of will be open is also recom- lower peninsula of Michigan. Visitors can access the forest through trails as well as visit Park. the park as well. mended. the Hartwick Pines Logging Museum. (Photo courtesy of Michigan DNR)
Staff and volunteers will which is currently empty. Park is located at 4216 be collecting input from vis- Memories from visitors will Ranger Rd., Grayling. itors as to what they would also be collected. Call (989) 348-2537 for like to see in the building, Hartwick Pines State information.
HARTWICK PINES CCC CAMP “The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) did so much across the state for state park HISTORY COMING ALIVE infrastructure,” said Hillary Pine, historian at Hartwick Pines State Park. At North Hig- A blacksmith works during the 1991 Black Iron Days at Hartwick Pines State Park. Dur- gins Lake State Park, visitors will be able to visit an updated CCC museum this summer. ing the State Park Centennial being celebrated this summer, Hillary Pine, historian at On June 15, the CCC Museum will celebrate its grand reopening with updated exhibits. Hartwick Pines, said the annual festival will be the signature centennial event. Hosted in She said the new exhibits will be “telling the story in a whole new way.” partnership with the Friends of Hartwick Pines State Park, Black Iron Days will be held (Photo courtesy of Michigan DNR) Aug. 24 and 25. (Courtesy photo)
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SouthSouth Higgins Lake State Higginsdraws people in, the park “Sooffers we do kind of have ‘best of both worlds’ Park draws thousands of can also offer a more quiet the best of both worlds visitors each year and offers setting in Marl Lake, which where we can offer that camping, access to Higgins is across the road from the heavy use recreation with Lake and a place for gen- main park. a lot of people or we can erations of families to make “It’s a great balance. give them a more peaceful
YEARS OF USE The lagoon at South Higgins Lake State Park is filled with boats in this photograph, likely taken sometime during the 1960s. The park has welcomed visitors since the 1920s, with the water and beaches of Higgins Lake a popular attraction. (Courtesy photo) HIGGINS LAKE 91 YEARS AGO Roberts said. Another unique feature service building. This photo shows the South Higgins Lake State Park in 1928, a year after it opened with The park also offers a is the Park Store built by South Higgins Lake State 15 campsites, 50 tables, 24 stoves, two wells and several toilets. (Courtesy photo) boat wash station through the Civilian Conservation Park is open for camping a cooperative effort with Corps (CCC) in 1935. The from mid-April until the first memories. Because South gets really setting. So I think that’s one the Higgins Lake Property unique historic structure was weekend of December. “Obviously, the lake’s the crazy in the summer. We of our draws too. We have Owners Association and originally used as the park For information on the the biggest draw. Everybody get a lot of boat traffic. We the best of both worlds,” Higgins Lake Foundation. caretaker’s residence and park, call 821-6374. comes up because it is a get a lot of people and so beautiful lake. They want to we can offer our guests a recreate on the lake,” said more peaceful setting as Rachel Roberts, unit super- well where they can walk visor of South Higgins. across the street. We have With 400 campsites, 5 1/2 miles of hiking trails. including 40 full hook-ups – Marl Lake connects to the which Roberts said is a huge Cut River. It’s great for draw and South Higgins is paddling,” Roberts said. one of the few state parks “We have a lot of folks that to offer sewer and water on if they want to come in and campsites, South Higgins do any kayaking, canoeing, Lake State Park was roughly stand up paddle boarding, fifth in the state park system we send them over there.” last year in terms of camper Marl Lake, which was numbers and visitors. added to the park in 1984, While Higgins Lake only allows electric motors.
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