Northern Mich~Mash Preserve
~ALANSON~
The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2017.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
"Clicking" on some color highlighted words may access additional information.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
"Clicking" on some color highlighted words may access additional information.
Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
Header Photo and two Photos Below: Alanson, Michigan, has unrivaled village Hillside Gardens.
Photo Below: Spring in Alanson
c
2023
Hillside Garden beside US 31 Road Construction through Alanson
Hillside Garden beside US 31 Road Construction through Alanson
2010 Census for Alanson ~ 738 People
Alanson's FIRST post office name in 1877 was Hinman.
Hinman was changed to Alanson, renamed for Mr. Alanson Cook, an official of the GR&I railroad.
Another source stated Alanson was named after Alanson Howard, a grandson of W.O. Hughart, president of the G.R.&I. Railroad which first came to Alanson about 22 June 1882
when the name was changed from Hinman to Alanson.
Alanson is in Littlefield Township... and was incorporated as a village in 1905.
Hinman was changed to Alanson, renamed for Mr. Alanson Cook, an official of the GR&I railroad.
Another source stated Alanson was named after Alanson Howard, a grandson of W.O. Hughart, president of the G.R.&I. Railroad which first came to Alanson about 22 June 1882
when the name was changed from Hinman to Alanson.
Alanson is in Littlefield Township... and was incorporated as a village in 1905.
1879 ~ Alanson's FIRST Born... Dies 1937
Alanson Pioneer ~ Mrs. Kidder
Alanson Pioneer ~ Leslie Sheldon (1898-1968)
Leslie Sheldon was born 11 January 1898 in Alanson, MIchigan.
He married Gladys Dodge on 28 June 1918 in Petoskey.
Gladys was born 28 June 1893 in Ohio and died at 103 in Petoskey on 28 July 1996.
He married Gladys Dodge on 28 June 1918 in Petoskey.
Gladys was born 28 June 1893 in Ohio and died at 103 in Petoskey on 28 July 1996.
~ Train Wreck in Alanson with Flour Bags ~
~ Log Train at Alanson Station ~
~ Hinkley Handle Factory ~
Turn of the Century ~ About 1900
Turn of the Century ~ About 1900
~ Hankey Lumber in Alanson ~
Undated
Undated
~ River Street in Alanson ~
Undated
Undated
~ No. 9 School House, Alanson, Michigan ~
~ Kent Hotel ~
Alanson, Michigan
1911
Alanson, Michigan
1911
~ Double funeral was one of the LARGEST of attended funerals in history of Alanson ~
1913
1913
~ Hotel Alanson Owners ~
1916
1916
~ Alanson's Artesian Well for Good Health ~
1888 > 1924 >
1888 > 1924 >
The plaque on the artesian well reads:
"The finest water in the world
Compliments of
Del & Crystal Housding
and
Littlefield Township
Water Temperature 44 degrees"
"The finest water in the world
Compliments of
Del & Crystal Housding
and
Littlefield Township
Water Temperature 44 degrees"
(1912~2009) Obituary Right: "Crystal [Housding] lived 65 years in Alanson in her beloved home at the flowing well. She was known to happily talk to strangers who would come up to her house and thank her for the cold, refreshing free drink of water that was flowing from the artesian well in her front year." |
~ Alanson Civil War Vet and Fisherman Back From the Dead ~
(Lewis Sweet)
1929
(Lewis Sweet)
1929
Additional information about this Lewis Sweet tragedy may be accessed on this same web site
on the web page about Skillagalee Island and Lighthouse by clicking HERE.
on the web page about Skillagalee Island and Lighthouse by clicking HERE.
~ Dutch Over ~
1940 > 1941
1940 > 1941
~ New Cement Road Alanson, Michigan ~
~ Alanson Description ~
1941
1941
~ Alanson's Memorial ~
1945
1945
1942
~ New Fire Truck for Alanson ~
1947 >
1947 > 1969
~ Airview of Alanson from plane piloted by Oliver Du Chaine of Northgate Airfield in Petoskey ~
1948
1948
~ Doyle's Food Market in Alanson ~
1948
~ Doyle's Food Market grew into Doyle's IGA Super Market ~
1953 Dedication
1953 Dedication
~ Alanson Students Ride Train to Petoskey ~
1948
~ Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Barney Celebrate Golden Wedding Anniversary ~
1952
1952
~ 60th Wedding Anniversary for Mr. and Mrs. Dave Kitchen ~
1954
1954
~ Alanson School Construction ~
1956
1956
~ Alanson-Littlefield Township Dump ~
1967
1967
~ Crooked River Dam in Alanson ~
1967
1967
~ New Manufacturing Firm in Alanson ~
1968
1968
~ Alanson Public Park and New Tennis Courts ~
1968
1968
~ Alanson Memorial Plaque ~
1970
1970
Dilapidated Alanson Depot may be Condemned
1967
1967
Alanson Depot and Railroad Cars UPDATED
1976
1976
Article and Pictures of railroad cars and depot below: A 1915 Porter steam locomotive and its attached dining car and caboose were once the property of the Harbour Inn, a previous hotel-resort along Little Traverse Bay. The inn used it as a pizza parlor and bar. For years the train cars at the Harbour Inn the train were being vandalized as they sat vacant. Gretchen Toshach of Ann Arbor came to the rescue by moving the train cars, with the help of W.A. Porter of East Jordan who spent two days, by moving of the cars to Alanson, Michigan. Next the train was restored, to become the Alanson Rock Shop. The depot was to become a restaurant-ice cream parlor to be named the Puffer Belly Depot.
Posted in the 14 May 2021 Petoskey News Review Foreclosure Notice: MORTGAGE SALE—Default has been made in the terms and conditions of a Mortgage made by Depot Alanson Land Development, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company, of 33 Harbor Lane, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 (“Mortgagor”), to Citizens National Bank of Cheboygan, a national banking association, of 303 N. Main Street, Cheboygan, MI 49721 (“Mortgagee”), dated April 25, 2016, and recorded with the Emmet County Register of Deeds, State of Michigan, on April 27, 2016, in Liber 1184, Page 947 (the “Mortgage”). The sum claimed to be due and owing on said Mortgage as of the date of this Notice is One Hundred Forty-Six Thousand Five Hundred Twenty-Eight and 08/100 Dollars ($146,528.08) including principal and interest.
~ Alanson Squad Car ~
1977
1977
Alanson Waterway
Photo Below: Alanson Lock Swing Bridge
1968
~ Is End In Sight For Swinging Bridge in Alanson? ~
1978
1978
1986
1987
Three Photos Below:
~ World's SMALLEST "still operating" swing bridge... ~
2017
~ World's SMALLEST "still operating" swing bridge... ~
2017
Photo Above: Alex Childress' additional work also may be viewed at Alex Childress Photo.
2023
Photo Above and Photo Below from 14 May 2023:
Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley, Up North Imaging
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging"
Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley, Up North Imaging
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging"
~ High Water in Alanson ~
1979
1979
~ Thomas Neill Fairbairn and Marilyn Jean Housding Married ~
1951
1951
~ Fairbairn's Hardware Established in 1895 ~
A video produced by Pierpont Productions of Tom Fairbairn telling about
the history of Alanson may be accessed by clicking HERE.
Tom Fairbairn, 93, passed away at home 29 February 2024.
the history of Alanson may be accessed by clicking HERE.
Tom Fairbairn, 93, passed away at home 29 February 2024.
Thomas Neill Fairbairn, Sr., 93, of Alanson died peacefully at his home on Thursday, February 29, 2024. He was born on January 25, 1931, in Petoskey, Michigan to Clifford Raymond Fairbairn and Rose Marie (Leuthard) Fairbairn.
Tom met his true love and partner, Marilyn Jean, when they were both students at Littlefield Public Schools. They were married on October 14, 1951, and were happily married until Jean’s death on February 21, 2008. Together they enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. He loved hunting and fishing and loved spending time with his sons and grandchildren at the family farm. He was also a passionate fan of all sports. For 30 years, Tom was a member of the Michigan High School Athletic Association as a MHSAA referee for men’s basketball, and he officiated two state basketball finals.
Tom attended Central Michigan University where he studied business and was a member of the men’s basketball team. During his time at CMU, Tom was drafted into military service during the Korean War and served his country for approximately 2 years. His military service brought him to the rank of Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army. He served as Platoon Sergeant and proudly led 40 brave men. He was wounded in combat and was awarded the Purple Heart.
After their Honorable discharge in the military, Tom and his brother Walt came back to Alanson to help their father and uncle run the family business, W.W. Fairbairn & Sons. In the early sixties, Tom and Walt bought out Clifford and Morley and began the third generation at WWF. After Walt’s untimely death, Tom and Jean bought out Walt’s stock and brought their son, Tommy, into the business. Together they laid the groundwork for the fourth and fifth generation with granddaughter, Samantha, now assisting her father and taking over the business.
Church and community were very important to Tom. He was involved in many community organizations throughout his life. He helped found the Inland Water Route Historical Society and Inland Water Route Historical Museum in Alanson. He often shared that “Alanson needs to honor its river. The use of the waterway goes all the way back to the Native Americans… You could go all around the world from the Crooked River, if you had the right boat.” He was one of the founding members of the Alanson Improvement Group and served as part of the Hillside Gardens Committee. He was a Board Member for Old Kent Bank and served as Vice Chair for the Northern Michigan Hospital Board and was on the board for 30 years. He was active in the local Masonic Lodge and was a founding member of Allied EMS. He was on the Emmet County Planning and Zoning board and was honored as Citizen of the Year. For many years, he also enjoyed being a volunteer tutor at Alanson Public Schools.
Tom led fundraising for many local non-profit organizations. He often shared his philosophy, “I never minded asking people to donate because I wasn’t asking for me. I was asking them to help our community. A lot of people are willing to help… they are just waiting to be asked.”
As a lifelong Methodist, Tom’s faith was of utmost importance to him. Tom served as both a board member and a Lay Leader in the Alanson Methodist Church. He also spent many years singing in the choir.
Tom is survived by three sons, Tom (Connie) Fairbairn, Paul (Lisa) Fairbairn, and Mark Fairbairn; three beloved grandchildren, Samantha (Tom Loomis), Parker (Victoria) and Chase Fairbairn; and three great granddaughters, Ella Mae, Amelia, and Leigh. He was predeceased by his mother, father, brother (Walter), and two sons, Steven at birth, and John at age 24.
The funeral service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Harbor Springs on Friday, March 8th at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation before service at 10:00 a.m. On Thursday, March 7th from 4:00-7:00p.m. visitation will be at the Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey.
Tom will be buried at the Littlefield Township Cemetery in Alanson next to his beloved wife, Jean, and two sons.
In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to honor Tom’s memory with a contribution may send gifts in his name to: The Inland Water Route Historical Society, Alanson Hillside Gardens, or Hospice of Northern Michigan.
The family would like to extend an incredibly special thanks to Tom’s wonderful caregivers (Heather, Shana, Andrea, Megan, Pam and Kelly) for the love and compassion they shared with Tom and his family over the last several years.
Tom met his true love and partner, Marilyn Jean, when they were both students at Littlefield Public Schools. They were married on October 14, 1951, and were happily married until Jean’s death on February 21, 2008. Together they enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. He loved hunting and fishing and loved spending time with his sons and grandchildren at the family farm. He was also a passionate fan of all sports. For 30 years, Tom was a member of the Michigan High School Athletic Association as a MHSAA referee for men’s basketball, and he officiated two state basketball finals.
Tom attended Central Michigan University where he studied business and was a member of the men’s basketball team. During his time at CMU, Tom was drafted into military service during the Korean War and served his country for approximately 2 years. His military service brought him to the rank of Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army. He served as Platoon Sergeant and proudly led 40 brave men. He was wounded in combat and was awarded the Purple Heart.
After their Honorable discharge in the military, Tom and his brother Walt came back to Alanson to help their father and uncle run the family business, W.W. Fairbairn & Sons. In the early sixties, Tom and Walt bought out Clifford and Morley and began the third generation at WWF. After Walt’s untimely death, Tom and Jean bought out Walt’s stock and brought their son, Tommy, into the business. Together they laid the groundwork for the fourth and fifth generation with granddaughter, Samantha, now assisting her father and taking over the business.
Church and community were very important to Tom. He was involved in many community organizations throughout his life. He helped found the Inland Water Route Historical Society and Inland Water Route Historical Museum in Alanson. He often shared that “Alanson needs to honor its river. The use of the waterway goes all the way back to the Native Americans… You could go all around the world from the Crooked River, if you had the right boat.” He was one of the founding members of the Alanson Improvement Group and served as part of the Hillside Gardens Committee. He was a Board Member for Old Kent Bank and served as Vice Chair for the Northern Michigan Hospital Board and was on the board for 30 years. He was active in the local Masonic Lodge and was a founding member of Allied EMS. He was on the Emmet County Planning and Zoning board and was honored as Citizen of the Year. For many years, he also enjoyed being a volunteer tutor at Alanson Public Schools.
Tom led fundraising for many local non-profit organizations. He often shared his philosophy, “I never minded asking people to donate because I wasn’t asking for me. I was asking them to help our community. A lot of people are willing to help… they are just waiting to be asked.”
As a lifelong Methodist, Tom’s faith was of utmost importance to him. Tom served as both a board member and a Lay Leader in the Alanson Methodist Church. He also spent many years singing in the choir.
Tom is survived by three sons, Tom (Connie) Fairbairn, Paul (Lisa) Fairbairn, and Mark Fairbairn; three beloved grandchildren, Samantha (Tom Loomis), Parker (Victoria) and Chase Fairbairn; and three great granddaughters, Ella Mae, Amelia, and Leigh. He was predeceased by his mother, father, brother (Walter), and two sons, Steven at birth, and John at age 24.
The funeral service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Harbor Springs on Friday, March 8th at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation before service at 10:00 a.m. On Thursday, March 7th from 4:00-7:00p.m. visitation will be at the Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey.
Tom will be buried at the Littlefield Township Cemetery in Alanson next to his beloved wife, Jean, and two sons.
In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to honor Tom’s memory with a contribution may send gifts in his name to: The Inland Water Route Historical Society, Alanson Hillside Gardens, or Hospice of Northern Michigan.
The family would like to extend an incredibly special thanks to Tom’s wonderful caregivers (Heather, Shana, Andrea, Megan, Pam and Kelly) for the love and compassion they shared with Tom and his family over the last several years.
~ Alanson Riverside Park Monuments~
Alanson Aerial
2000
2000
Alanson Riverfest
2010
2010
Inland Water Route Historical Museum
Located in Downtown Alanson
6217 River Street, Alanson, Michian 49706
Click HERE to access a video of the Inland Waterway.
Located in Downtown Alanson
6217 River Street, Alanson, Michian 49706
Click HERE to access a video of the Inland Waterway.
Alanson Riverfest
14 August 2011
(Slideshow Below)
14 August 2011
(Slideshow Below)
~Alanson and its Businesses ~
~ Stafford's Crooked River Lodge & Suites ~
6845 US 31, Alanson, Michigan
6845 US 31, Alanson, Michigan
Three Photos Below: Alex Childress' additional work also may be viewed at Alex Childress Photo.
Prior to the lodge in the above photo being Stafford's Crooked River Lodge & Suites, the lodge was to be a Best Western Crooked River Lodge. In 2002 the Ken, Mike, and Sharon Pressey Family was in the process of building their dream lodge which was just two weeks from opening. It was then that two arsonists who had worked in the actual building, destroyed that dream, reducing it to rubble. During the trial Ken Pressey said, "I will never personally recover from what this has done." Ken also noted that the family's insurance was not nearly adequate for the amount of damage done. Ken Pressey passed away 26 November 2005 with his obituary stating, "The latest challenge was building the Crooked River Lodge in Alanson, seeing it burned to the ground, and rebuilding it again."
In a sad way, this situation for the Pressey Family led to Stafford's acquiring the lodge.
Stafford's has created a huge success of The Crooked River Lodge
which it was meant to be from the very beginning.
Stafford's has created a huge success of The Crooked River Lodge
which it was meant to be from the very beginning.
~ House of Pies ~
4577 Oden Road
4577 Oden Road
In April 2023, Chigago-baker Oreste Cardillo and Deon Benito purchased House of Pies from business originator Cindy Sischo. Cindy had founded the business 30 years ago with her mother Delores Dombrowski. The name and the recipes will remain with the business.
~ Bob's Place ~
US-31 Alanson, Michigan
US-31 Alanson, Michigan
Robert "Bob" and Elizabeth "Betty" (Binkowski) Need moved to Alanson from downstate. In 1976 they purchased the bar then called Frenchie's. They quickly re-named it Bob's Place, and ran a successful business for years. Betty did all of the cooking. Bob and Betty Need sold Bob's Place in 1986 and then went on to own and operate a couple of restaurants in nearby Petoskey, the final place being The Bistro in 1995.
~ Alanson Businesses ~
14 May 2023 (During US 31 Construction)
14 May 2023 (During US 31 Construction)
All of downtown Alanson, Michigan, has been mostly inaccessible during the time of US 31 construction...
barely giving the businesses time to start to recover from the COVID–19 turn-down in business.
barely giving the businesses time to start to recover from the COVID–19 turn-down in business.
To view the 14 May 2023 SLIDESHOW Below of the Alanson Businesses during US 31 Construction:
Click on PLAY in the upper left corner.
Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley, Up North Imaging
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
Click on PLAY in the upper left corner.
Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley, Up North Imaging
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
The Alanson Veterans Memorial Garden is featured on the Charlevoix Emmet History web site,
on the "Veterans Roll of Honor" web page.
on the "Veterans Roll of Honor" web page.
Pfc. Justin T. Paton memorial plaque is located in the Alanson Veterans Memorial Garden, noted on the above link. The Pfc. Justin T. Paton VA Clinic was dedicated in a ceremony 2 November 2023. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill on 20 June 2023 naming the Indian River Clinic after Paton. He served in the U.S. Army with the 1st Cavalry Division, Delta Company, until he was killed (at age 24) in action by enemy fire in February 2007. He was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star.
Previously veterans were served from the Cheboygan Clinic, located in Mackinaw City. The Paton Clinic is a modern clinic, and a more accessible facility, with additional services. The location at 5739 Highway
M-68 in Indian River is very near to I-75.
Photos Below: Memorial Showcase for Pfc. Justin T. Paton in the lobby of the new clinic.
Previously veterans were served from the Cheboygan Clinic, located in Mackinaw City. The Paton Clinic is a modern clinic, and a more accessible facility, with additional services. The location at 5739 Highway
M-68 in Indian River is very near to I-75.
Photos Below: Memorial Showcase for Pfc. Justin T. Paton in the lobby of the new clinic.
Maurice Eby has created a website book titled The Great Lumbering Era of Emmet County, Michigan which includes a great deal of information about the Alanson Sawmills.
~ Alanson Locks on the Crooked River ~
Additional Alanson, Michigan, information can be found on this same website
on the "Crooked River and Locks" web page.
Additional Alanson, Michigan, information can be found on this same website
on the "Crooked River and Locks" web page.