Northern Mich~Mash Preserve
~ BOYNE FALLS~
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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.
The Header Photo and the Photo Below show the preservation of the Boyne Falls Jail...
Two men, William Nelson and Mr. Powers, owned a large tract of land adjacent to the right-of-way of the railroad, proceeded to plat the land, and named it Boyne Falls.
The FIRST post office in Boyne Falls was established in 1874 with William Nelson postmaster.
Boyne Falls was incorporated into a village in 1893.
The village beginnings evolved from the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad coming through in 1874.
The village was named for the falls on the Boyne River which had been named after a river in Ireland.
The FIRST post office in Boyne Falls was established in 1874 with William Nelson postmaster.
Boyne Falls was incorporated into a village in 1893.
The village beginnings evolved from the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad coming through in 1874.
The village was named for the falls on the Boyne River which had been named after a river in Ireland.
~ Grist Mill > Hankey Milliing Company ~
1879
1879
"Charles O. Horn built the grist mill on the Boyne River at the south end of town in 1879. He operated the the grist mill for six years until his death in 1885. The mill was later owned by the Hankey Milling Company of Petoskey. Officers were C.F. Hankey, President, L.C. Hankey, Vice President, and Guy R. Hankey, Secretary and Treasurer. For several years. Frank Pierce managed the mill. It burned in 1932."
~ The Pictorial History of The Boyne Valley Area
~ The Pictorial History of The Boyne Valley Area
~ Mill Dam Question ~
1881
"Battle of the Boyne"
1881
1881
Telephone service from Boyne Falls to Boyne City was provided in 1886.
~ Pennsy Railroad Headon Collision Near Boyne Falls ~
1893
1893
~ A Junction Named Robbins, Three Miles South of Boyne Falls ~
1901
1901
~ Boyne Valley Farm of 1040 Acres ~
1903
~ Boyne Valley Farm Homestead ~
Early 1900s
Harman/Harmon Family Homestead location near Skop and Springbrook roads...
Early 1900s
Harman/Harmon Family Homestead location near Skop and Springbrook roads...
~ White House Flooring from Boyne Falls Area ~
1903
1903
N. N. Eaton was druggist and postmaster at Boyne Falls for many years.
1903
1903
~ Meyer Hardware ~
Boyne Falls, Michigan
1903
Boyne Falls, Michigan
1903
Meyer Hardware was established in its 2019 Downtown Petoskey, Michigan, location in 1935. The business was located in Boyne Falls, Michigan, for 31 years before making the move to Petoskey.
Photo Below: Meyer Hardware housed the village funeral parlor on the upper level, located on the corner of Mill and Center streets. |
Two Photos Below: The counter in the Horton Bay General Store was first a work bench in the
Boyne Falls, Meyer General Store in the photo above.
The counter has been preserved with the original markings when used as a work bench by Mr. Meyer.
Boyne Falls, Meyer General Store in the photo above.
The counter has been preserved with the original markings when used as a work bench by Mr. Meyer.
~ Boyne Falls, Michigan ~
1907
1907
Counselor School, Hudson Township, Charlevoix County, Michigan
This school building was built in 1907 to replace a tarpaper shack.
This building was torn down in 1932 when students were taken to Boyne Falls to school.
R.V. Woodworth was the teacher.
Vernard Howard attended this school from 15 March 1923 to 15 March 1924.
This school building was built in 1907 to replace a tarpaper shack.
This building was torn down in 1932 when students were taken to Boyne Falls to school.
R.V. Woodworth was the teacher.
Vernard Howard attended this school from 15 March 1923 to 15 March 1924.
~ Boyne Falls to have Street Lights ~
1908
Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena Railroad
Photo Below: Howardine Wood Bush clipped out this photo of lighting fixtures from old Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena Railroad because it was a reminder of an ordeal of being stuck in huge snowdrifts while on the train that these same light hung. Howardine had stared up at them for hours, while waiting for help to come for her and the three small children. In January of 1929, Howardine had written in her diary: "I went to Chicago, as my mother was having a goitre operation in Feb. 1929. She had asked me to come. I left the Hetherton farm, & with the 3 children (Don as a baby) and took the train at Gibbs (B.C.G.&A.R.R.) [Boyne City, Gaylord, & Alpena RR]. I intended to get to Boyne Falls, and take the Penn. to Chicago. After we left Gaylord, the storm got so awful the train got stuck in huge drifts-The engine was 1/4 mile ahead, & we got cold-and scared! Peggy Steebing's hubby, Jack, happened to be on the train & helped load the luggage & children on to a big sleigh drawn by horses, the RR sent out (6 miles) from Gaylord. We got there, ate, & at midnight, I took the Pere Marquette from Gaylord to Chicago. There wasn't any snow at all in Chicago! Some change from Gaylord! I couldn't believe it."
~ Central Station, Boyne Falls, Michigan ~
1910
Photo Below: The original old Boyne Falls railroad station sign was preserved and hung over the stage at the Aten Place barn where many musicians have played. Many other local area relics related to the history of Boyne Falls also hung in prominence on the back wall of the stage.
Photo Below: 1978 ~ Boyne City Depot at the end of the Boyne Valley Railroad trip from Boyne Falls as noted above...
~ Galster Store ~
~ Mr. and Mrs. Galster...
had owned a general store and hotel in Boyne Falls since 1884 ~
1918 and 1931
~ Galster Hotel, Boyne Falls, Michigan ~
~ Boyne Falls School Burned ~
1919
~ Boyne Falls Happenings ~
1931
~ Rainbow Garden ~
(M–75, on the Boyne City - Boyne Falls Road)
1941
(M–75, on the Boyne City - Boyne Falls Road)
1941
~ Boyne Falls School ~
1945–1946
~ Boyne Falls Bridge in the Plans ~
1946
1946
~ NEW Village of "Topstown" Between Boyne Falls and Boyne City ~
1948
1948
~ NEW Boyne Falls High School with Large NEW Gymnasium ~
1949
1949
~ Boyne Valley Grange ~
~ Boyne Mountain Ski Resort ~
Photo Below:
Everett Kircher purchased the Boyne Mountain property from William Pearson for ONE DOLLAR.
Think of over the years just how many people have gained employment because of this sale.
Everett Kircher purchased the Boyne Mountain property from William Pearson for ONE DOLLAR.
Think of over the years just how many people have gained employment because of this sale.
Boyne Mountain Lodge started in 1946.
Click HERE to contact the web master
with information about "Our Lady of the Snows" little shrine atop Boyne Mountain. Does the shrine still exist in 2023?
with information about "Our Lady of the Snows" little shrine atop Boyne Mountain. Does the shrine still exist in 2023?
Boyne Mountain ~ 1953
Boyne Mountain ~ 1954
Daniel Leo Goldsmith (1927~2023) worked as a well driller with his father and drilled many wells the area
including the flowing well that forms the pond at the base of Boyne Mountain.
including the flowing well that forms the pond at the base of Boyne Mountain.
Photos/Text Below: Boyne Mountain was included within the descriptions of the six excellent ski resorts.
Boyne Mountain ~ 1960
Article Below: Ballooning Skiers Make Ascent at Boyne
1969
1969
Photo/Text Below: Vandals Kill Hemlock Namesake for Boyne Mountain Run
1970
1970
GRAND 222-room hotel for Boyne Mountain
2000
Boyne Mountain in the Distance
2018
2018
Photos Above: Alex Childress' additional work also may be viewed at Alex Childress Photo.
23 November 2021Slideshow Below: Boyne Mountain
More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
23 November 2021 ~ Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley, Up North Imaging
More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
23 November 2021 ~ Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley, Up North Imaging
Memorial Article Below:
Everett Kircher, PATRIARCH of the Kircher Family and the Boyne USA Resort Family, passed away 16 January 2002.
Everett Kircher, PATRIARCH of the Kircher Family and the Boyne USA Resort Family, passed away 16 January 2002.
Obituary Below:
Lois Kircher, MATRIARCH of the Kircher Family and the Boyne Resort Family, passed away 12 December 2021.
Lois Kircher, MATRIARCH of the Kircher Family and the Boyne Resort Family, passed away 12 December 2021.
Obituary Below:
John Everett Kircher, 64, a Boyne Mountain baby... the son of Everett and Carol Kircher, lived his first years in the Main Lodge at the base of Boyne Mountain. John grew into the Boyne Resorts President of Western Operations.
After a courageous battle with cancer, John passed away 28 January 2023 at Big Sky, Montana.
John Everett Kircher, 64, a Boyne Mountain baby... the son of Everett and Carol Kircher, lived his first years in the Main Lodge at the base of Boyne Mountain. John grew into the Boyne Resorts President of Western Operations.
After a courageous battle with cancer, John passed away 28 January 2023 at Big Sky, Montana.
~ 26 July 2022 ~
Reported in the Petoskey News Review
"SkyBridge On Track To Open"
" Back in fall 2021, Boyne Mountain Resort announced that it would build the longest timber-towered pedestrian skybridge in the world as part of its decade-long project to expand Boyne Mountain beyond just skiing and snowboarding." The lumber for the project is local Boyne Falls Matelski Lumber. The bridge will span 1200 feet across, and is patterned from Boyne's sister park, Gatlinburg SkyLift Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The towers will support a suspension bridge, much as the Mackinac Bridge is a suspension bridge, so some movement may be felt. LED lights will illuminate the bridge which will lead to a dining space and expansive views of the valley. Day or night, or each different season will lend itself to varying exciting experiences.
~ 1950 ~
~ Boyne Falls Chamber of Commerce ~
1950
1950
~ Train Wreck Near Boyne Falls ~
1950
1950
~ "Wildcat" Oil Venture at Boyne Falls ~
1950
Earl Bell, Bob Cunningham, and Chet Turner were involved in the venture,
and were examining soil samples from the well.
1950
Earl Bell, Bob Cunningham, and Chet Turner were involved in the venture,
and were examining soil samples from the well.
~ Boyne Falls Church built in about 1892 Celebrated 60th Anniversary ~
1952
1952
~ Hausler Family ~
1957
1957
Growing up on Chandler Hill on a dairy farm, our family's cream was delivered to Hausler's Creamery.
Then, shopping at the Kroger Grocery Store in Petoskey,
Jackie Hausler Hankins was always a very friendly check-out employee.
Then, shopping at the Kroger Grocery Store in Petoskey,
Jackie Hausler Hankins was always a very friendly check-out employee.
2023
Irene Rose Matelski Hausler was the FIRST female Mayor of Boyne Falls.
Irene spent several years as a cook and boss driver for the school.
She spent many summer weekends with her family at Cherry Hill Greenhouse.
Irene Rose Matelski Hausler was the FIRST female Mayor of Boyne Falls.
Irene spent several years as a cook and boss driver for the school.
She spent many summer weekends with her family at Cherry Hill Greenhouse.
~ Everett Kircher, Fishing the Boyne River ~
1959
1959
~ Boyne Falls' Judy Hrushka, Michigan Honey Queen,
met with Dick Clark of American Bandstand ~
1961
met with Dick Clark of American Bandstand ~
1961
~ Harve Carson Blind Mechanic at Boyne Falls ~
1946 AND 1968
1946 AND 1968
~ Boyne Falls Log Homes, Inc. ~
U.S. 131 Boyne Falls, Michigan
U.S. 131 Boyne Falls, Michigan
"The Swissboyne: One of the many year 'round or vacation log homes manufactured by Boyne Falls Loc Home, Inc. the world's largest producer of fine quality cedar log structures."
~ Rebuilding After Matelski Saw Mill Fire ~
1966
1966
~ FIRST Curb System in Downtown Area of Boyne Falls ~
1970
1970
1972
A Gaggle of Geese in the Boyne Falls Trout Pond
with Boyne Mountain ski slopes in the background
A Gaggle of Geese in the Boyne Falls Trout Pond
with Boyne Mountain ski slopes in the background
Photo Below: Text under the photo stated: " Barns are not the most interesting photo subjects
but this one doesn't look bad after adding some water, a few flowers, a log and rowboat.
Picture was taken near the bridge in Boyne Falls."
but this one doesn't look bad after adding some water, a few flowers, a log and rowboat.
Picture was taken near the bridge in Boyne Falls."
1977
1989
1990
Boyne Village Inn–Motel
Boyne Village Inn–Motel
2013
2016
"Aten Place"...a cultural center for Boyne Falls, Michigan
Bill and Maxine Aten created and developed Aten Place in an old barn on their property in Boyne Falls, Michigan. In 1984 the Atens purchased 20 acres of the farmstead which could be traced back to the Matelski family who purchased it sometime in the early 1900s. The home of “Concerts in the Barn,” the Aten Place venue, began in 1995, and ran until 2017 when the Atens retired. The seating for the first concerts consisted of bales of hay and folding chairs. The addition, later, of theater-style seats acquired from the Antrim County Courthouse and other area places added to the comfort and the character of the setting. The homey family ambiance remained, however, even while the sound and stage lighting were improved over the years. Additional displays of memorabilia and heirlooms contributed by the friends, neighbors, and concert patrons continued to enhance the atmosphere.
Photo Below of Aten PLace: Posted on this Northern Mich~Mash Preserve web site
only by permission from
remarkable photographer and videographer Charles Dawley of Up North Imaging.
In 2018, after 23 years of concerts, Bill and Maxine sold their "concert series"
to new owners of Lavender Hills Farm, on the Boyne City Road, who continue to feature the series.
to new owners of Lavender Hills Farm, on the Boyne City Road, who continue to feature the series.
2017
Boyne Falls AND Boyne Mountain
Boyne Falls AND Boyne Mountain
Photo Above: Alex Childress' additional work also may be viewed at Alex Childress Photo.
Fire Broke Out
3571 US 131
17 July 2019
3571 US 131
17 July 2019
A fire broke out at Four Season Motor Lodge just south of Boyne Mountain entry road around 3:30PM. About half the building was burned. Around 20 people were displaced, some full-time residents, as the building served as affordable housing for resort employees.
~ Boyne Mountain struggles to renew license for Hydro dam ~
by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(Reported in the 8 September 2022 Petoskey News Review)
by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(Reported in the 8 September 2022 Petoskey News Review)
Boyne USA has owned the hydroelectric dam on Dam Road since buying it in 1962 from Consumers Energy. The dam resumed operations in 1980, although originally was constructed in 1909. The dam produces about 660 megawatt-hour per year which is about 8 percent of the resort's energy needs. Various issues need addressing between Boyne USA and the FERC. If the application is approved for Boyne USA, the Boyne Hydrodam should continue to provide energy to Boyne Mountain Resort for the next 40 years.
~ BOYNE FALLS PEOPLE ~
Mahala Smith Magee taught school throughout Charlevoix County.
Herman C. Meyer moved to Boyne Falls in 1900
where he opened a general merchandise store which he operated for the next 35 years.
Herman was active in Boyne Falls civic affairs.
The Meyer business moved to Petoskey where it still exists as Meyer's Ace Hardware in 2023.
where he opened a general merchandise store which he operated for the next 35 years.
Herman was active in Boyne Falls civic affairs.
The Meyer business moved to Petoskey where it still exists as Meyer's Ace Hardware in 2023.
Boyne Falls Toymaker ~ Lewis Upton
Dan and Elizabeth Meyer Herrington
were associated with Meyer Hardare.
were associated with Meyer Hardare.
Articles Above and Photo Below: Mr. and Mrs. Dan Herrington were honored at a gathering recognizing they were leaving the area to go to Chowchilla, California. Mr. Dan Herrington had graduated from Petoskey High School in 1922. He then taught school in Boyne Falls until in 1926 Dan took a position with the former Boyne Falls Bank, later joining the Meyer General Store in Boyne Falls. In 1930 in Boyne Falls, he married Mrs. Herrington, the former Elizabeth Meyer, who had been born in Boyne Falls. In 1926 Dan took a position with the former Boyne Falls Bank, later joining the Meyer General Store in Boyne Falls. He managed the store there during 1935-36 before transferring to the Meyer Hardware in Petoskey. Dan stayed with the store until 1959 when he retired. Elizabeth's brother Herman and wife Hazel Meyer are in the background, seated right at the table.
Vic and Emily Chmielewski served Boyne Falls in multiple ways.
The lives of the pioneers tell much about the places they lived... Julius Kowalski
The Boyne Falls St. Augustine Catholic Church has
a comprehensive pictorial history and directory in celebration of the parish centennial of 1901 ~ 2001.
a comprehensive pictorial history and directory in celebration of the parish centennial of 1901 ~ 2001.
Article Below: Boyne Falls' Bill Aten has been a remarkable community member.
His knowledge in tuning White Chapel Bells is unparalleled.
His knowledge in tuning White Chapel Bells is unparalleled.
Boyne Falls Polish Festival
2023 will embrace the 48th year that Boyne Falls will welcome polka bands, carnival rides and mud runs during its annual Polish Festival; usually held in August.
The Festival Royalty in 2023 includes:
Honored Citizens: Rudy Kondrat and Dale Reinhardt
Grand Marshals: Ed and Nancy Moyer
Little Miss: Marlelah Giem
Little Mistreatments: Camden Reynolds
The Festival Royalty in 2023 includes:
Honored Citizens: Rudy Kondrat and Dale Reinhardt
Grand Marshals: Ed and Nancy Moyer
Little Miss: Marlelah Giem
Little Mistreatments: Camden Reynolds
The Boyne Falls Veterans Roll of Honor 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.
"The Pictorial History of The Boyne Valley Area is filled with historical text and photos compliments of The Centennial Book Committee and may be accessed on-line by clicking HERE.
~ Two Cemeteries in Boyne Falls, Michigan ~
Click HERE to access the web page for Boyne Valley Cemetery on Find-A-Grave.
Click HERE to access the web page for Saint Augustine Catholic Cemetery on Find-a-Grave.
Click HERE to access the web page for Boyne Valley Cemetery on Find-A-Grave.
Click HERE to access the web page for Saint Augustine Catholic Cemetery on Find-a-Grave.