Station: Otsego Lake, MI

Otsego Lake was a station stop at a body of water at a lake of the same name in southern Otsego County. It was settled about 1872 by the Smith, Kelley and Dwight lumber firm and is located about 10 miles south of Gaylord.

Image info: Top, a view of the Otsego Lake depot, date unknown. [UML] 2nd view, the same building in a 1918 railroad valuation photo . [CMUL]

Notes

At one time, the village had several retail stores, a boarding house, an opera house, saloon, hotel, newspaper, post office and school. This was the temporary county seat from 1875 to 1877. [OHS]

Located at what is today Old 27 and Mancelona Road. [OHS]

Time Line

1872. The JL&S railroad arrives here from the south. [OHS]

1886. Merchant D. Wilson has sold his store and residence to Salling, Hanson & Co. of Grayling. [CCA-1886-1028]

1880. The MC railroad will begin to cut ice this week at Otsego Lake, 255 miles north of Jackson by rail. About 300 car loads, or 45,000 tons, will be taken out, an amount sufficient to supply the main line and its branches this season. [DFP-1880-0131]

1884. Population of 800. [OHS]