Wells State Park (Michigan): Difference between revisions
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In 1898, Sam Crawford purchased fifty-three thousand acres of stumpland around Menominee and began logging operations on the hemlock growing among the pine stumps. Five hundred of these acres were was still virgin timber, and Crawford intentionally preserved it. John Walter Wells, part owner of the Bird-Wells Lumber Company, later purchase this land. Wells died in 1921, and in 1925 his children donated 335 acres of virgin timber, including 2.5 miles of [[Lake Michigan]] shoreline, to the state of Michigan to establish a park. An additional 131 acres which had been purchased by the Menominee County Road Commission was added to create the park.<ref name = "nom">{{citation | title = NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM: Wells, J. W. State Park | author1 = Amy Arnold | author2 = Frank Quinn | ate = October 2001 | url = https://catalog.archives.gov/id/25340119}}</ref> |
In 1898, Sam Crawford purchased fifty-three thousand acres of stumpland around Menominee and began logging operations on the hemlock growing among the pine stumps. Five hundred of these acres were was still virgin timber, and Crawford intentionally preserved it. John Walter Wells, part owner of the Bird-Wells Lumber Company, later purchase this land. Wells died in 1921, and in 1925 his children donated 335 acres of virgin timber, including 2.5 miles of [[Lake Michigan]] shoreline, to the state of Michigan to establish a park. An additional 131 acres which had been purchased by the Menominee County Road Commission was added to create the park.<ref name = "nom">{{citation | title = NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM: Wells, J. W. State Park | author1 = Amy Arnold | author2 = Frank Quinn | ate = October 2001 | url = https://catalog.archives.gov/id/25340119}}</ref> |
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Development of the park began in 1927-28. Trees were planted and stoves, toilets, a well, and play equipment were installed. In 1929 a log bathhouse was constructed. However, much of the development in the park was done by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] (CCC). In 1933, a two-hundred man camp was established, and over the next 10 years, the CCC developed five distinct areas within the park: the day-use (or picnic) area, the residence area, the group camp area, the campground area, and the trails and trailside shelters area. The CCC undertook a major reforestation project in the park, constructed three miles of foot trails, a parking lot, recreational fields, and sanitary facilities.<ref name = "nom"/> |
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Many of the park's buildings, landscaping and water and sewage systems were built by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] in the 1930s and 1940s. |
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== Facilities and activities == |
== Facilities and activities == |
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Revision as of 20:42, 12 February 2017
| Wells State Park | |
|---|---|
 Sign | |
  Location within the state of Michigan | |
| Location | Cedarville Township, Menominee County, Michigan, USA |
| Nearest city | Menominee, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 45°24′06″N 87°22′19″W / 45.40167°N 87.37194°W |
| Area | 678 acres (2.74 km²) |
| Established | 1925 |
| Governing body | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
| Wells State Park | |
J. W. Wells State Park | |
| Built | 1927 |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000040[1] |
| Added to NRHP | February 25, 2002 |
Wells State Park (also known as J.W. Wells State Park) is a state park in the U.S. state of Michigan. The 678-acre (2.74 km2) park is located in Menominee County on the shore of Lake Michigan's Green Bay, just south of Cedar River. It is on M-35, roughly midway between Menominee and Escanaba. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.[1]
History
In 1898, Sam Crawford purchased fifty-three thousand acres of stumpland around Menominee and began logging operations on the hemlock growing among the pine stumps. Five hundred of these acres were was still virgin timber, and Crawford intentionally preserved it. John Walter Wells, part owner of the Bird-Wells Lumber Company, later purchase this land. Wells died in 1921, and in 1925 his children donated 335 acres of virgin timber, including 2.5 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, to the state of Michigan to establish a park. An additional 131 acres which had been purchased by the Menominee County Road Commission was added to create the park.[2]
Development of the park began in 1927-28. Trees were planted and stoves, toilets, a well, and play equipment were installed. In 1929 a log bathhouse was constructed. However, much of the development in the park was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In 1933, a two-hundred man camp was established, and over the next 10 years, the CCC developed five distinct areas within the park: the day-use (or picnic) area, the residence area, the group camp area, the campground area, and the trails and trailside shelters area. The CCC undertook a major reforestation project in the park, constructed three miles of foot trails, a parking lot, recreational fields, and sanitary facilities.[2]
Facilities and activities
- Swimming: The park features a three-mile (5 km) shoreline with a sandy beach for swimming.
- Hiking: Hiking is available on the Wells-Cedar River Trail, which runs along the shore, with side trails looping through other parts of the park.
- Cross-country skiing: The park's seven miles of ski trails are not groomed.
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Picnic Area
- Picnic Shelter
- Playground
- Camping: There is a modern campground with 150 sites and five rustic cabins available for rent from mid-March to mid-December. The modern Bay Stone Lodge sleeps twelve and includes an equipped kitchen, two full bathrooms, screened porch and a stone fireplace in the great room.
References
- ^ a b WEEKLY LIST OF ACTIONS TAKEN ON PROPERTIES: 2/25/02 THROUGH 3/01/02, National Park Service, March 8, 2002
- ^ a b Amy Arnold; Frank Quinn, NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM: Wells, J. W. State Park
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External links
- Wells State Park Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Bay Stone Lodge Michigan DNR
- Wells State Park Protected Planet (World Database on Protected Areas)
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