Hart Ford
HomeFeaturesCrawford FeaturesCrawford history on the rails

Crawford history on the rails

Crawford historical society
Memberz of the Crawford County Historical Society Board include: (l-r) Faith Dandois (vice president), Dale Papendick (board member), Gail Thomas (president), David Spencer (board member), Carl Yost (board member), Tad Randolph (board member), and Dave Baran (secretary).  Missing are board members Jack Pilon and Rae Gosling.

GRAYLING – There are historical resources across Northern Michigan, and one exception example is the Crawford County Historical Society.

Incorporated in 1972 by citizens interested in local history, the society started with donations from the community, and the museum was located in the former Grayling Township which was located in what is now the Grayling City Park. 

When the old railroad depot located in front of the Crawford County building became available in the early 1980s, the society moved its collection there. The former township hall building was then moved onto the depot property and is now the Veterans Building.

The Crawford County Historical Society and Museum collects, preserves, and displays artifact and information relevant to Crawford County history for the benefit and education of county resident and visitors. The museum is staffed by an all-volunteer group including eight board members and a number of committed volunteers.

Cabin on historical society
This log cabin is one of several unique buildings on the historical society grounds.

The museum has a small research library and an archive collection that historians have used for many and various research projects over the years. We also have a small gift shop featuring local artists’ unique creations, historical books, T-shirts, and other odds and ends.

Admission is free (although donations are gratefully accepted). We survive on donations and grants. Our displays include an extensive collection of railroad artifacts and photos, the Salling & Hanson collection, the Crawford County Avalanche’s old jobber press and other county historical information and a large collection of Chief Shoppenagon photos and artifacts. The Veterans Building commemorates veterans of Crawford County and displays numerous unique artifacts from the Civil War onward.

The society is located at 97 Michigan Avenue in Grayling. For info call 989-745-3493, email cchsgrayling@gmail.com, or visit crawfordcountyhistoricalsociety.com.

Leave a Comment

###

UpNorthVoice.com is Northern Michigan's source for community news.

We cover seven counties including Crawford, Roscommon, Oscoda, Ogemaw, Iosco, Arenac and Montmorency counties in print and / or online.

We are also a full-service commercial design and printing house. Our specialty is custom commercial printing, as well as the creation of clothing, cups and other marketing products.

To submit information for publication, or for questions regarding promotion of your business through web or print, as well as promotional items such as hats or cups, please email info@UpNorthVoice.com, or call 989-275-1170.

Advertisement