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Description

Land Speculation Near Manistique, Michigan (Upper Peninsula)

Interesting map of the the area around Monistique (now Manistique) and Monisitque Lake (now Indian Lake), in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, following the opening up of the area through the involvement of Charles Thompson Harvey, who would create the first mill and development in Manistique and on the Indian River in the early 1860s.

The present map would seem to correspond with the beginning of meaningful settlement and development in Manistique and Schoolcraft County.  In 1860, Charles T. Harvey, the engineer who designed the Soo Locks, built a dam on the Manistique River. Harvey had purchased some timberland and sought to encourage further development of the lumber industry in the area.  The tiny settlement was first known as "Epsport" in honor of Mr. Harvey's wife whose family name was Eps.  Harvey's archives suggest that he was actively engaged in Manistique in 1864 and 1865.

The map is in the area of the Indian Lake Mission established in May 1832 by Frederick Baraga,  "The Apostle of the Ottawas and Chippewas." Baraga founded a number of missions in northern Michigan. The original Indian Lake mission, the third of Baraga's faith, was built in anticipation of his first visit to the area in May of 1832. Built by local Chippewas from logs and bark, the first chapel with a larger one in 1833. Records suggest that the chapel may have existed until 1873, although it is not shown on the map.

Dated February 7, 1873, the map includes a plotting of the first stage coach line through the area, the location of several rapids on the Indian River, and the specific sizes, in acres, of the every lake front and river front parcel.  The creation of the map coincides nearly exactly with the creation of Manistique Township, immediately to the east of this map, which was originally established as Epsport on March 17, 1873 with William M. Cowell as its first  postmaster. 

The Michigan State Gazetter and Business Directory of 1873 describes Monistique as 

A place of 200 inhabitants in the southern part of Schoolcraft County.  It is at or near the mouth of the Monistique River and is the seat of lumbering operations of the Chicago Lumber Co., who are the proprietors of the village.  There has been settlement here since 1848.

The first Chicago Lumbering Company general store was built in the early 1870’s near the old saw mill, surviving until it burned on January 13, 1881.  The first Methodist Church services in Manistique were held in 1873, making it the first church to hold services in this community.   The first bridge built across the Manistique River was completed in 1874. 

The map pre-dates the arrival of the railroad by about 25 years.   Construction of the Manistique and Northwestern Railroad between South Manistique and Shingleton was completed in 1898, with passenger service beginning on January 1, 1899.

Map Details

Along the coast, the map extends from Manistique and the Indian River in the north to Thompson.

The map illustrates the surveyed sections, with attention paid to the location of marshy areas and creeks along Lake Michigan.   A stage road through the area is drawn in pencil, which loosely corresponds with Michigan 442 between Manistique and Elkhorn.

The map includes a note as follows:

  • Tracts marked S are sold.
  • Tracts marked C are Canal Lands
  • Tracts marked (with a red) S are Swamp.

Charles Thompson Harvey In The Upper Peninsula

Charles Thompson Harvey was born on June 26, 1829, in Westchester, Connecticut. In 1852, he was in Northern Michigan recovering from a bout of typhoid and doing business as an agent and salesperson for the Fairbanks Scale Company. Harvey heard that Congress had passed an act granting 750,000 acres of federal land to any company which could build a canal around the Saint Mary’s Falls located at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  

Harvey revisited Sault Ste. Marie and the Lake Superior region to investigate the economic benefits that could be gained with such a project. Based on his report, the owners of Fairbanks Scale Company, and several other investors joined in a contract to build the canal. Harvey was appointed as the general agent in charge of operations. He became the primary contractor and engineer. Learning on the job, he built the Saint Mary’s Falls Ship Canal, which opened in 1855.

After building the Soo Canal, Harvey became in 1859 the General Agent for the Northern Iron Company. He was instrumental in erecting a furnace for the construction of an iron fence on the southern shore of Lake Superior. He patented the coal kiln and also founded the town of Harvey, Michigan, while residing there during construction.

From 1863 to the end of 1864, Harvey served as Chief Engineer in the construction of the Peninsula Railroad. This became the first railroad to reach Lake Superior, extending from the headwaters of Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Marquette, Michigan. 

Rarity

The map is unique. We are unaware of any printed maps which cover this region in minute detail in this period.

Condition Description
Pen and ink map on drafting linen. Evidence of old folds and some staining.