Northern Mich~Mash Preserve
~LEVERING~
First called Leverington...
(Including Barker's Siding, later Lakewood)
In the Emmet County 1902 Plat Book, Levering was located in Egleston Township which later became McKinley Township.
Levering is on U.S. 31 twelve miles south of the Mackinac Bridge and
sixteen miles west from Cheboygan.
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.
Information typed in this green font on this Levering page is referenced from the collection of
Mervyn and Ruby Hoar Schmalzried with Sally Byard Schmalzried's
A History of Levering, Michigan 1880's - 1996
IF you can locate a copy of the out of print book above,
it is the most complete history of Leverings Early Years to be found.
Mervyn and Ruby Hoar Schmalzried with Sally Byard Schmalzried's
A History of Levering, Michigan 1880's - 1996
IF you can locate a copy of the out of print book above,
it is the most complete history of Leverings Early Years to be found.
The BARKER SIDING name changed in 1903 to Lakewood... (One mile south of Levering and five miles north of Pellston). In 1907, as reported in the article below, Bogardus Company of Pellston purchased the entire plant at Lakewood including 52 dwellings. With the decline of the virgin timber and the sawmill no longer running, the village was becoming a ghost town. Click HERE to access more information/photos of Lakewood on this same web site.
Potato Soup Valley Named
About 1876
About 1876
Article Below: "Potato Soup Valley, a hamlet west of Levering, was named by surveyors after they had supped on Particularly unappetizing potato soup made from brackish water found in the valley."
The 1880 census listed only 14 people living in McKInley Township,
all farther south from the present townsite of Levering.
all farther south from the present townsite of Levering.
The village of Levering was founded in 1882 in then Egleston Township as a way station on the G.R.&I. Railroad. It was first named Leverington after Joshua Levering, a friend of Mr. Pells of Pellston, Michigan. When it was given a post office on 15 February 1883 the name was shortened to Levering. The FIRST postmaster was James Heany. [Michigan Place Names by Walter Romig]
October 21-27, 1987 ~ Harbor Light submitted by Raymond Kalbfleisch: "To Robert Robinson of Cheboygan is conceded the honor of being the 'father' of Levering. In October of 1881, he purchased for $158, from the state of Michigan the NW 1/4 of NW 1/4 of Section 3, and that is where the village is located. With the building of the railroad and also the east to west highway, this crossroads was a favorable and likely spot for a thriving village. Soon Mr. Robinson had his property surveyed by Oliver S. Heyden, and the Robinson plat of Levering was recorded in May of 1883."
Levering had a railway station stop on the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad about 11 miles south of Mackinaw City.
The first train that went through Levering reached Mackinaw City in July 1882. The station depot location was debated. The Walkers had homesteaded a place south and east form where the present U.S. 31 crosses Schmalzried-DeKruif Roads. In fact it was/is called "Walker's Crossing". The train stopped there if flagged to let people on. Robert Robinson, however wanted the depot built on his property so much so that he offered Mr. Matheny, Division Manger Superintendent of the G.R.&I. Railroad Company a half interest in his property. Mr. Robinson won and the depot was built back of where Hammond Equipment building (the old bank building) is now.
The FIRST depot had burned in 1905.
The last passenger train went through Levering in 1957. Freight trains continued until about the early 1970's. Freight truck had begun delivering good to exact locations.
October 21-27, 1987 ~ Harbor Light submitted by Raymond Kalbfleisch: "To Robert Robinson of Cheboygan is conceded the honor of being the 'father' of Levering. In October of 1881, he purchased for $158, from the state of Michigan the NW 1/4 of NW 1/4 of Section 3, and that is where the village is located. With the building of the railroad and also the east to west highway, this crossroads was a favorable and likely spot for a thriving village. Soon Mr. Robinson had his property surveyed by Oliver S. Heyden, and the Robinson plat of Levering was recorded in May of 1883."
Levering had a railway station stop on the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad about 11 miles south of Mackinaw City.
The first train that went through Levering reached Mackinaw City in July 1882. The station depot location was debated. The Walkers had homesteaded a place south and east form where the present U.S. 31 crosses Schmalzried-DeKruif Roads. In fact it was/is called "Walker's Crossing". The train stopped there if flagged to let people on. Robert Robinson, however wanted the depot built on his property so much so that he offered Mr. Matheny, Division Manger Superintendent of the G.R.&I. Railroad Company a half interest in his property. Mr. Robinson won and the depot was built back of where Hammond Equipment building (the old bank building) is now.
The FIRST depot had burned in 1905.
The last passenger train went through Levering in 1957. Freight trains continued until about the early 1970's. Freight truck had begun delivering good to exact locations.
Postcard Below: Second Levering Depot
1905
1905
Photo Above: Perhaps this was toward the beginning of Levering's most productive years as the sawmill was still going strong and potato warehouses were on both the east and west sides of the railroad track. The building on the far left was Walker's barn. The white building in the photo center was Walker's Department Store, with a potato warehouse this side of the store. The large white building at the far right was DeKruif Hardware (later the Chuck Johnson Hardware).
Levering from the Air (Undated)
Article Below from October 28-November 3, 1987 Harbor Light edition:
Raymond Kalbfleisch wrote a series in the Harbor Light titled " Our Pioneer Past"
which included this information/photos about the beginnings of the business section of Levering.
1890
The Levering Telephone Co. was located in the rear of the big Walker store (in the photo above).
Clipping Below: The switchboard was obtained in 1900, and was second hand even then.
The Levering Telephone Co. was located in the rear of the big Walker store (in the photo above).
Clipping Below: The switchboard was obtained in 1900, and was second hand even then.
~ History of Levering ~
By Mrs. Georgia Pangborn, written in 1968 (Three Sections Below)
Article Below: Raymond Kalbfleisch wrote a series in the Harbor Light titled "Our Pioneer Past" which included this information about Levering possibly being the birthplace of the bicycle, motorcycle, and the automobile.
Levering is located on US 31
in northern McKinley Township and southern Carp Lake Township, Emmet County, Michigan.
A little over 200 people live in the community.
Advertisement Below: The rooster on the Levering Cafe was at one time on the
Red Rooster Restaurant on US 31 North, Petoskey, Michigan.
Red Rooster Restaurant on US 31 North, Petoskey, Michigan.
1896
Potter Mill
Potter Mill
1907
Fire in the Levering Hotel
Fire in the Levering Hotel
1907
Death of Mrs. Emma J. Bacon Hoar
Death of Mrs. Emma J. Bacon Hoar
Looking South ~ 1911
Robinson Street
Robinson Street
L>R: Keiser Room House, Sargent's Drug Store, Josclyn's Store, William and Ed Walker Stores
Across the Street L>R: White Building, ?, Bank, White Building, ?, Hoar Meat Market, Walker's Department Store, Barber Shop.
Across the Street L>R: White Building, ?, Bank, White Building, ?, Hoar Meat Market, Walker's Department Store, Barber Shop.
Robinson Street Looking South
Postcard Below: The stores appear to be the same as the ones named for "Across the Street: in the Postcard Above.
Postcard Below: The stores appear to be the same as the ones named for "Across the Street: in the Postcard Above.
1915
John Hoar's Livery, Feed, and Sales Stables
L>R: Bill Johnston, Walter Johnston, Levi Hoar, Ed Hartung, John Hoard and Bill Murphy
L>R: Bill Johnston, Walter Johnston, Levi Hoar, Ed Hartung, John Hoard and Bill Murphy
Businessmen who came to town on the train, stayed overnight at a hotel, and the next morning hire Henry Hoar to take them where they needed to go. In later years, Henry took passengers by car in the summertime. Henry's wife Elvira also had a car which she used as a taxi. In the winters, Henry trasporter by horse and butter; going to Bliss, Cross Village or other villages.
1916
Photo Below: Levering street scene about 1916. First Building had pool room; brick bank building. Beach restaurant and post office; Hoar's hall and Bennett's meat market, last building --- Walter general store.
"The building on the left was the opera house which was made into one of the first gas stations, next is the pool hall, bank, restaurant (short building with false front), S.J. Hoar Meat Market, Walkers Dept. Store."
"The building on the left was the opera house which was made into one of the first gas stations, next is the pool hall, bank, restaurant (short building with false front), S.J. Hoar Meat Market, Walkers Dept. Store."
Levering Mercantile Company ~ J.F. Joscelyn
Photo Above: This store was built in 1902 with a living apartment over the store and the one story storage addition at the left, with a cream testing area. In 1905 J.F. Joscelyn bought the building and moved to Levering. Part of the promotion of the business was printing the business postcards above, and mailing them to all rural households.
1918 ~ 1920
~ Levering Band ~
1920's
1920's
Former Emmet County Treasurer George Carlton Died
1925
1925
Charles Butler Carpenter, lived in Bliss Township, later moving to Levering where for many years he was
the mail carrier on the Star route from Levering to Sturgeon Bay in the lumbering days of the region.
Later, he engaged in business in Levering where he erected a store and a skating rink and opera house;
next used for garage purposes, and built over the home he had acquired.
1925
the mail carrier on the Star route from Levering to Sturgeon Bay in the lumbering days of the region.
Later, he engaged in business in Levering where he erected a store and a skating rink and opera house;
next used for garage purposes, and built over the home he had acquired.
1925
Shurtleff's Garage, Levering, Michigan
1926
1926
1928
Visit the Air Strips web page on this same site to learn more about
an emergency landing of an army squadron
of planes landing on the Hoar Family Farm Field during a snow storm.
Visit the Air Strips web page on this same site to learn more about
an emergency landing of an army squadron
of planes landing on the Hoar Family Farm Field during a snow storm.
In 1932 U.S. 31 was built on north from Denison's Corner, eliminating going down through town. Scott, Chochran, and Scott was the road construction company. They had their office in the lower part of the Ed Walker building. That was before Harve Bennett's meat market. The Denison family owned land which was full of gravel. They sold the gravel to be used in the construction of U.S. 31. After the road was built nothing was left there but a big unsightly gravel pit. and the town of Levering was by-passed. As time went on a new Levering sprouted up on the new U.S. 31 and the gravel pit has been changed into a fine recreation park.
~ Petoskey Cement and Welfare Workers to be Used
to Start Paving Near Levering ~
1933
to Start Paving Near Levering ~
1933
In the spring of 1938 the road flooded terribly and did not go down for several weeks, from just south of Levering almost to Lakewood (on the second large curve south of Levering).The problem was fixed by a drainage ditch dug through the swamp on the east side of the road, and by raising the road way.
~ Slaughterhouse Road > Keiser Lane ~
Harve Bennett's slaughter house was on the east side of the road about ½ mile, north from the Levering-Cross Village Road. Following the 1930s building of U.S. 31, demand for Slaughterhouse Road fell to reach Carp Lake. Over time, sections of Slaughterhouse Road have disappeared and some sections are used by off-road vehicles... except for the sections known as Keiser Lane.
~ Log Cabin Corners ~
The log cabin corners began with George Hollenbeck building a gas station on U.S. 31.
Located behing the Log Cabin Tavern was a row of log cabins for tourists to rent.
By 1930 a gas station was built on the corner, followed by a log home by Kewaygeshik.
More log cabins on U.S. 31 were built in the 1930s.
Wayne & Emma Coffin built a log restaurant about 1934.
1936
The log cabin corners began with George Hollenbeck building a gas station on U.S. 31.
Located behing the Log Cabin Tavern was a row of log cabins for tourists to rent.
By 1930 a gas station was built on the corner, followed by a log home by Kewaygeshik.
More log cabins on U.S. 31 were built in the 1930s.
Wayne & Emma Coffin built a log restaurant about 1934.
1936
After tourists lost interest in the log cabins,
some of the cabins were sold, moved to other locations, remodeled and enlarged.
some of the cabins were sold, moved to other locations, remodeled and enlarged.
William DeKruif, a Levering resident for 36 years,
owned hardware and farm implement business.
1937
owned hardware and farm implement business.
1937
TOP
1941
~ Levering Description ~
~ Levering Description ~
1944
~ Levering Honor Roll for WWII ~
Click HERE for additional information about "Honoring the Military"
in Emmet and Charlevoix Counties (created by this same web master).
~ Levering Honor Roll for WWII ~
Click HERE for additional information about "Honoring the Military"
in Emmet and Charlevoix Counties (created by this same web master).
1947
~ Levering Block Swept by Fire ~
~ Levering Block Swept by Fire ~
1947
~ George Sparks Retiring ~
George Sparks started driving the Standard Oil wagon out of Levering 5 July 1907.
~ George Sparks Retiring ~
George Sparks started driving the Standard Oil wagon out of Levering 5 July 1907.
1948 >1953
~ Ned Sargent ~
~ Ned Sargent ~
1950
Access additional information about the Levering Post Office on this same web site
on the "Post Offices" web page by clicking HERE.
on the "Post Offices" web page by clicking HERE.
~ Levering – Pellston – Carp Lake Area Washouts ~
1959
1959
~ Levering Resident Celebrated 90th Birthday ~
~ Levering Baseball Field ~
~ Levering's LaTocha's Hardware Store Owner Died. ~
1974
1974
~ Levering Library ~
~ M.E. Church and Parsonage ~
About 1909
About 1909
The possible FIRST minister in the Methodist Chruch was Reverend Eagle.
Reverend A.G. Knoblock, at the age of 19, in 1891, became Levering's FIRST full-time minister.
Reverend A.G. Knoblock, at the age of 19, in 1891, became Levering's FIRST full-time minister.
~ Levering Schools ~
The FIRST Levering School was held in the "Beehive". Sometime in the 1880s when the George Carlton family came to Levering, they lived in one end of the building and Mrs. Carlton started classes in the other end for thier own chidden; other children attended later on. The building had such various uses over the years, and always with such activity, it was called the "Beehive".
The FIRST school building was built on top of the hill west from town; a one story building later moved where the school was located and has become the Lion's Building.
One of the Levering schools burned down in April 1928.
1957 ~ Levering school board dissolved. Levering school district became part of the Pellston school district and then elected members to the Pellston school board.
June 1969 ~ Levering Schoo CLOSED.
Photo Below Right: Postcard was made before gym was built in 1931.
The FIRST school building was built on top of the hill west from town; a one story building later moved where the school was located and has become the Lion's Building.
One of the Levering schools burned down in April 1928.
1957 ~ Levering school board dissolved. Levering school district became part of the Pellston school district and then elected members to the Pellston school board.
June 1969 ~ Levering Schoo CLOSED.
Photo Below Right: Postcard was made before gym was built in 1931.
~ Lions of Levering ~
1975
(OLD School Building)
1975
(OLD School Building)
~ Levering Community Center ~
~ Levering Seniors ~
(OLD School Building)
2019
~ Levering Seniors ~
(OLD School Building)
2019
Photo/Text Below: As of October 2022 the owner of the old Levering school
has applied for a zoning permit to convert the structure to a single family dwelling.
has applied for a zoning permit to convert the structure to a single family dwelling.
~ Levering Telephone Company Dial Equipment Building Expansion ~
~ Gamble's Store ~
1968
1968
~ 2018 ~
Two Photos Below: The name on the building in Old Town Levering is S. J. Hoar...
same name as on the 1921 advertisement as Samuel J. Hoar promoting Dodge Brothers Roadster.
Old newspaper photo below of the Hoar building below was from the early 1900s.
same name as on the 1921 advertisement as Samuel J. Hoar promoting Dodge Brothers Roadster.
Old newspaper photo below of the Hoar building below was from the early 1900s.
~ North Emmet County Road Commission Garage ~
The Emmet County Road Commission was formed in 1909 and began taking over jurisdiction of some roads at that time. The remainder of the township road were taken over by the Road Commission between 1931 and 1936.
Click HERE to access additional information on this same website about the Emmet County Road Commission.
The Red Rooster Flew the Coop????
Where is the rooster now??? Click HERE to contact the webmaster please.
~ 2018 > 2020 ~
Where is the rooster now??? Click HERE to contact the webmaster please.
~ 2018 > 2020 ~
Donna Anderson of Levering, Michigan, passed away 11 December 2023.
Donna served alongside her husband, Pastor Robert Anderson, at Victory Baptist Church in Levering for 34 years.
She played the piano, taught Sunday School, headed hospitality functions, any various other activities in the church.
Donna served alongside her husband, Pastor Robert Anderson, at Victory Baptist Church in Levering for 34 years.
She played the piano, taught Sunday School, headed hospitality functions, any various other activities in the church.
Barker's Siding > Lakewood settled in 1903 on the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad.
Barker's Siding, a sawmill village, was located about a mile south of Levering.
The name was later changed to Lakewood.
Lakewood ceased to exist as the timber stands declined.
Barker's Siding, a sawmill village, was located about a mile south of Levering.
The name was later changed to Lakewood.
Lakewood ceased to exist as the timber stands declined.
1922 and 1923
~ Van and Lakewood Region Railroad Roadbed Damaged by Flood ~
~ Van and Lakewood Region Railroad Roadbed Damaged by Flood ~
Click HERE to access a short history of Levering and a small collection of old Levering photos.