Bergland Administrative Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bergland Administrative Site
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Ranger Office
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | M-28, Bergland, Michigan |
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| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1936 |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000103 |
| Added to NRHP | July 9, 2005 |
The Bergland Administrative Site, also known as the Bergland Ranger Station, is a group of six old government buildings. They are located along M-28 in Bergland, Michigan. This site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Today, it is home to the Bergland Cultural & Heritage Center and The Bergland/Matchwood Historical Society Museum.
Contents
Discovering the History of Bergland Ranger Station
Around 1900, a man named Gunlek A. Bergland bought land here for its timber. He later started a sawmill near Lake Gogebic in 1903. The small town around the mill was then named Bergland after him. The mill operated until 1958.
By the 1920s, much of the forest land was cut down. The United States Forest Service began buying large areas of land. This happened in Bergland and other parts of the Upper Peninsula.
Why Was Ottawa National Forest Created?
The Ottawa National Forest was created in 1931. Its job was to manage these newly bought lands. The main office was first in Munising. In 1935, it moved to Ironwood.
How the Civilian Conservation Corps Helped
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a program that put young men to work. They helped with conservation projects. Because of the CCC, more local offices were needed. In 1935, seven district offices were set up. One of these was in Bergland.
The first ranger, Joseph "Popcorn" Blake, arrived in 1935. He lived in town until the station was ready. The CCC began building the station in 1936. They finished it in 1937. It was one of the first offices built in the Ottawa National Forest.
What Buildings Were There?
The site first had a Ranger's Office and a house for the ranger. There was also a garage, an oil house, and a woodshed. A warehouse, a latrine (restroom), and a weather station were also built. The latrine and weather station are no longer there.
Later, more buildings were added. An Assistant Ranger's house was built in 1957. A small woodshed was added in 1979. A pole shed was built in 1985.
What Happened to the Ranger Station?
Over time, the ranger staff grew. They started to focus on environmental monitoring and recreation. The Bergland site became too small for their needs. The station closed in 1998.
Now, the Ottawa National Forest works with local groups. The Bergland Cultural & Heritage Center and The Bergland/Matchwood Historical Society Museum use the buildings. In 2009, the Museum moved into the ranger's house and garage. The Cultural & Heritage Center uses the office and other buildings.
Exploring the Buildings of Bergland Site
The Bergland Administrative Site has six main buildings. They were built between 1936 and 1937. Three newer buildings were added later. All the buildings are located along a curved driveway.
The Ranger Station Office
The Ranger Station Office is a one-and-a-half-story building. It is built in the Colonial Revival style. This style looks like old American colonial homes. The office measures 26 by 30 feet. It has wood siding and a concrete foundation. The main entrance has a small porch. Inside, there are offices on the first and second floors.
The Ranger's Dwelling (House)
The Ranger's Dwelling is a two-story house. It is also in the Colonial Revival style. It measures 26 by 36 feet. Like the office, it has wood siding and a concrete foundation. The front door has a small stoop. A large stone chimney stands on one side. Inside, the living room, dining room, and bedrooms have original wood floors. The living room has a fireplace with a brick hearth. There are also built-in bookshelves.
The Garage
The garage is a single-story building. It has two bays for vehicles. It measures 22 feet by 22 feet. Each bay has an overhead door.
The Warehouse
The warehouse is a long building, 22 feet by 60 feet. It has wood siding. It features four garage bays with overhead doors. There is also a regular door for people to walk through. The inside is divided into two parts.
The Oil Shed
The oil shed is a small, one-story building. It measures 10 feet by 12 feet. It has wood siding and a concrete foundation. It has a single door.
The Woodshed
The woodshed is also a small, one-story building. It has wood siding and a concrete foundation. It has a single door.
