National Register of Historic Places listings in Cheboygan County, Michigan facts for kids
Welcome to Cheboygan County, Michigan! This area is full of interesting history, and many of its special places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its historical or architectural value and efforts are made to protect it.
In Cheboygan County, there are 10 places that have earned a spot on this important list. Let's explore some of them!
Contents
- Exploring Cheboygan County's Historic Treasures
- Historic Mill Creek State Park: A Pioneer Sawmill
- Cheboygan Bascule Bridge: A Moving Marvel
- Old Cheboygan County Courthouse: A Building with Many Lives
- Faunce-McMichael Farm: Pioneer Family History
- Fourteen Foot Shoal Light: An Automated Beacon
- Old Mackinac Point Light: Guiding Ships to Safety
- Newton-Allaire House: A Special Wedding Gift
- Poe Reef Light: A Lighthouse on the Water
- Spectacle Reef Light: The Most Expensive Great Lakes Lighthouse
- Forrest J. Stimpson House: Watching the Ships Go By
- Images for kids
Exploring Cheboygan County's Historic Treasures
Historic Mill Creek State Park: A Pioneer Sawmill
Imagine a time when pioneers needed wood to build their homes and forts. The Campbell Farm Site, also known as the Mill Creek Site, was once a busy place where a sawmill and dam were built around 1790. This mill helped supply lumber to the growing settlement on Mackinac Island. It was used until 1839. Today, you can visit this historic spot as part of the Historic Mill Creek State Park and learn about early logging and pioneer life.
Cheboygan Bascule Bridge: A Moving Marvel
The Cheboygan Bascule Bridge is a special kind of bridge that can open in the middle to let boats pass through. It was built in 1940 over the Cheboygan River on US-23. This bridge replaced an older one from 1877. It was the last bascule bridge built in Michigan before World War II ended, making it a unique piece of engineering history.
Old Cheboygan County Courthouse: A Building with Many Lives
The Old Cheboygan County Courthouse was built way back in 1869 for just $3,000! It served as the main courthouse until 1899, when a new one was built. After that, the old building found new life as offices and even houses a law office today. It's a great example of how old buildings can be reused and cherished.
Faunce-McMichael Farm: Pioneer Family History
The Faunce-McMichael Farm tells the story of two pioneering American families. Ezra Faunce started living on this land in 1875. Later, in 1895, James McMichael bought the farm. While the original farmhouse is no longer there, the land itself holds many stories of early settlers in the area.
Fourteen Foot Shoal Light: An Automated Beacon
Out in Lake Huron, about 2.2 miles (3.5 km) northeast of the Cheboygan River, stands the Fourteen Foot Shoal Light Station. Construction on this lighthouse started in 1929, and its light first shone in 1930. What's really cool about this light is that it was designed to be automated from the very beginning. This means it could be controlled by radio from another nearby lighthouse, the Poe Reef Light, making it one of the first of its kind!
Old Mackinac Point Light: Guiding Ships to Safety
The Mackinac Point Lighthouse was built in 1892 at Fort Michilimackinac State Park in Mackinaw City. For many years, its light helped guide ships safely through the waters where Lake Huron meets Lake Michigan. However, once the huge Mackinac Bridge was completed in 1959, the lighthouse was no longer needed and was turned off. Today, it's a popular part of the Fort Michilimackinac State Park, where visitors can learn about its history.
Newton-Allaire House: A Special Wedding Gift
The Newton-Allaire House in Cheboygan has a sweet story behind it. It was built in 1871 by Archibald Newton, who was the village president, as a wedding present for his second wife, Cornelia Allaire. The house has stayed in the Allaire family ever since, making it a true family heirloom.
Poe Reef Light: A Lighthouse on the Water
Before the Poe Reef Light Station was built, four different lightships (boats with lights) served at Poe Reef starting in 1893. But in 1926, it was decided that a permanent lighthouse was needed. This lighthouse was finally built in 1928. The reef and the light are named after a famous lighthouse designer, Orlando Metcalfe Poe.
Spectacle Reef Light: The Most Expensive Great Lakes Lighthouse
The Spectacle Reef Light is located in northern Lake Huron, about 10.3 miles (16.6 km) north-northeast of Ninemile Point. This lighthouse holds a special record: it was the most expensive lighthouse ever built on the Great Lakes! Its construction in the 1870s cost a massive $406,000. It's considered an amazing engineering achievement in lighthouse building on Lake Huron.
Forrest J. Stimpson House: Watching the Ships Go By
The Forrest J. Stimpson House was built in 1882 in Mackinaw City. Forrest J. Stimpson used this house as a special station to record all the ships passing through the straits. It was like his own personal ship-watching post! The house has since been moved to a new location, but its history as a marine recording station remains.
Images for kids
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Location of Cheboygan County in Michigan
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A view of Historic Mill Creek State Park today
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The Cheboygan Bascule Bridge open for boats
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The historic Old Cheboygan County Courthouse
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The Faunce-McMichael Farm
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The Fourteen Foot Shoal Light in Lake Huron
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The Old Mackinac Point Light
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The historic Newton-Allaire House
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The Poe Reef Light in Lake Huron
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The Spectacle Reef Light
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The Forrest J. Stimpson House
