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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
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 of 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 of an emergency landing of an army squadron
of planes landing on the Hoar Family Farm Field during a snow storm.
~ Petoskey Cement and Welfare Workers to be Used
to Start Paving Near Levering ~
1933
to Start Paving Near Levering ~
1933
~ The Log Cabin Tavern ~
1936
1936
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 ~
~ Levering Schools ~
~ 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
~ Levering Military Honor Roll ~
More Levering Military information may be accessed from the Charlevoix Emmet History web site.
~ 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.
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.