1900s A 1912 text, A History of Northern Michigan and its people by Perry F. Powers & Harry Gordner Cutler describes Crawford County: The topography is rolling hills but not so steep as to impede farm equipment. The Au Sable River, along with its tributaries, traverse the entire county, providing water and locations for ranching livestock. It also presents an opportunity for superb trout fishing. On the western county line is a natural reservoir that forms the Manistee River. Transportation is primarily provided by the Michigan Central railroad. The Detroit & Charlevoix railroad has track to Frederic, Michigan to the northwest. Half of the land is the county is a gravel loam soil which can produce standard crops. Thousands of acres of clear-cut old growth pine in Crawford County is available to settle. Potatoes, clover and root crops will thrive in this soil. Growing clover seed has become recognized as a “money crop”. Fruit trees are becoming a popular choice with apples being prolific and flavorful. “Plains” soil supports native grasses which stockmen are using for profitable sheep and cattle ranches throughout the county. There are few swamps and lowlands, all along narrow strips beside waterways, which can be productive with proper drainage. Over a hundred years ago, people journeyed "up north" for rest, recreation and their health. Hunting has always been popular, and for wild game, large tracts of second-growth timber on land originally clear-cut provide better food and protection than the original forests did. Deer populations are stable despite the hundreds that are taken every year by settlers and sportsmen.
1900s a 1912 text a history of northern michigan and its people by perry f powers & harry gordner cutler describes crawford county the topography is rolling hills but not so steep as to impede farm equipment the au sable river along with its tributaries traverse the entire county providing water and locations for ranching livestock it also presents an opportunity for superb trout fishing on the western county line is a natural reservoir that forms the manistee river transportation is primarily provided by the michigan central railroad the detroit & charlevoix railroad has track to frederic michigan to the northwest half of the land is the county is a gravel loam soil which can produce standard crops thousands of acres of clear-cut old growth pine in crawford county is available to settle potatoes clover and root crops will thrive in this soil growing clover seed has become recognized as a “money crop” fruit trees are becoming a popular choice with apples being prolific and flavorful “plains” soil supports native grasses which stockmen are using for profitable sheep and cattle ranches throughout the county there are few swamps and lowlands all along narrow strips beside waterways which can be productive with proper drainage over a hundred years ago people journeyed "up north" for rest recreation and their health hunting has always been popular and for wild game large tracts of second-growth timber on land originally clear-cut provide better food and protection than the original forests did deer populations are stable despite the hundreds that are taken every year by settlers and sportsmen