Cheboygan County MI Genealogy

History of

Wolverine

Originally named the Village of Torrey,* Wolverine is located in southwestern Cheboygan County, about one mile west of I-75, 35 miles south of the Mackinac Bridge and 28 miles south of Cheboygan, the county seat.

This region began to grow during the early 1880s during the lumber boom. The Michigan Central Railroad came to the area and built a station in 1881. It was named after the state animal, which was abundant in the region at that time. The old Depot still remains and can be seen on the west side of the river, just south of the park. Wolverine was incorporated as a village in April, 1903 and a post office was opened with George D. Richards as the first postmaster.

In 1910, Wolverine boasted a population of 1,000. This village occupied an advantageous proximity to the timber which supplied the raw material for manufacturers - two saw mills, a lathe mill, a shingle mill, a veneer and cooperage stock mill, and a planing mill. The town had an active newspaper, the Wolverine Courier,a bank, planing mill, a flour mill and creamery. It also had an electric lighting plant. The surrounding country adapted well to fruit growth and the apples produced were among the finest in quality, both in size and flavor. Also found were a graded school and Congregational, Methodist Episcopal, and Roman Catholic churches. That year (1916), Wolverine boasted a 16-piece cornet band and a well-equipped fire department. Village Officers were: President-Dr. A.J. McKillop. Clerk-Henry Cook. Treasurer-A.W. Jones. Assessor-A.I. Bonnett. Marshal-Charles Peterson.

By 1916, Wolverine had not grown, still reporting 1,000 inhabitants. A telephone exchange provided service for 115 subscribers. C.M. Fails was postmaster. Village Officers were: President-C.W. Taylor. Clerk-B. Pressland. Treasurer-C.B. Stonehouse. Marshal-A.S. Willyard. Fire Chief-A.J. Mackensen. Trustees-Charles W. Taylor, H.W. Sowton, M.W. Jones, J.M. Sterling, F.G. Wager, C.A. Jacobson.

In 1990, the population reflected just 283 residents. Wolverine is now a farm and resort area. The village being situated on the Sturgeon River makes it a popular fishing spot. Wolverine has one general store, *several restaurants, with quite a number of resorts, motels and cabins in the immediate surrounding area.

*With thanks for information provided by K.R. North. [22Apr04]

This Page Was Last Updated Saturday, 03-Mar-2012 12:37:37 MST