Ogemaw County

by Rose City Area Historical Society

Overview

Ogemaw County, which got its name from the Chippewa chief Ke-ke-to, was organized in 1840, and in 1870, the first permanent population arrived along with the railroads. The white pines brought lumbermen as early as 1863, but by 1890, the pines were gone and only hardwoods remained. Today the county boasts 119 lakes among its forests, artesian wells, and the Rifle River, which begins in Devoe Lake and is favored by outdoor recreationists. The Smiley water tower greets travelers as they arrive here, the last stop for food and gasoline in a vacationer's journey "up north." Step back in time to visit Karcher's and Gould's Drug Stores, the dairy bar, the marl plant, and the Monoghan, Richland, and West Branch Hotels. Remember trout festivals past and the Ogemaw County Fair, as well as Ogemaw's residents who danced holes in their shoes at the Graceland Ballroom with members of Detroit's infamous Purple Gang.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738561455
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	08/10/2009
Series:	Images of America Series
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	1,049,479
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

The Rose City Area Historical Society has selected its best photographs and postcards to showcase and preserve the histories of the county communities for future generations. The society wishes to preserve the area's heritage in the hopes that the travails and joys of those who have called Ogemaw County home are not forgotten.

Editorial Reviews

Title: Historical society creates picture history book
Author: John Fischer
Publisher: The Ogemaw County Herald
Date: 10/12/09

In 1819, Chief Ogemaw Ke-Ke-To and Gen. Lewis Cass signed the Treaty of Saginaw, effectively marking the beginning of what is now known as Ogemaw County. Ke-Ke-To adamantly turned down proposals to purchase the tribe's land, however, he eventually gave in after the rest of the tribe voted to accept firewater, whiskey and silver in exchange for the land.

This bit of information and more, including pictures and background information covering all areas of the county, can be found in the newly released Images of America Ogemaw County picture history book of the county.

"It took us two years to do," said Cathy Snider, president of the Rose City Area Historical Society.

Snider said she got the idea after looking through a few books she owns by the publisher — Arcadia Publishing — which are picture history books of other counties.

"There was nothing on Ogemaw County," she said. "I thought they were reputable, so I took the idea to the board."

All of the work for the book was completed by the historical society, Snider said.

"We did all of the writing and found all of the pictures," she said. "We just had to follow a format they gave us, like how many words per page, but they were pretty lenient."

She said Lugene Daniels, Grace Dooley, Anthony Brent, herself and several others from the historical society did most of the work.

"About 90-percent of the pictures came from the society," Snider said. "The other 10, maybe half of them had information submitted with them. We dug through a lot of old books and newspaper articles to find the information."

She said there was no cost incurred to the Rose City Area Historical Society for the project but they are given a royalty off of books sold. They are available in several locations in Rose City

"I love it," Snider said. "It was a lot of work but well worth it. It's something we can leave for our children and grandchildren."

From the Publisher