Village History

Boyne Falls derived its name from the Boyne River with its falls or rapids at the location. The name was given by "Uncle" John Miller, the first settler near the mouth of the stream that empties in to the head of Pine Lake (now Lake Charlevoix). The town of Boyne Valley was organized in 1873, and in spring of 1874 the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad began operation. Boyne Falls was incorporated as a village in 1893.

With the coming of the railroad the village began to grow, which marked the beginning of the logging era. Other industries included a lath mill, a shingle mill and grist mill. The town boasted three hotel: Galster's, Marsh's and Magee's (the Brookdale). In addition, there were a number of general stores operated by L. A. Moon, the Davoll's, Fannings, Jaffee's, and Grobaski's who also had the hardware store. Other businessmen were Mr. Olsen who had the pharmacy, Mr. Quinn was the barber, Mr. burke owned the Livery stable, Mr. Wakeman ran the telephone office and John Porter was the banker. Of course, we can't forget to mention the village also had at least five saloons

Among the early settlers was David Thompson from West Virginia, a lumberman who lived in the Deer Laker Area. His son, Ethan W. Thompson, was the president of Macabee's Life Insurance Company and served in the Spanish-American War. Ethan was also responsible for beautifying the cemeteries in Boyne Falls.

In 1870 Oscar Marsh came to Boyne Falls as an employee of the G.R. & I. Rail road. He was a telegraph operator whose office was in box car, as there was no depot. His daughter, Luella (Marsh) Wilson, resided in Boyne Falls summers until her death in 1973.

Enon Wilson Came in the 1880'a and cleared the land to build a home at 2451 Center St. which still stands today.

John and Sarah Cramer came here in 1885 from Indiana by covered wagon and homesteaded three miles east of town.

Dan Judd, a Boyne Falls postmaster, owned the first automobile in town - A red run-a-bout.

The John Sudman's Arrived in 1870 and settled on the shores of Deer Lake.

L. A. Moon came to Boyne Falls about 1900 and lived in rooms above his general store with his family.

Other settlers were John Paszkiewicz, Marshal MaGee, Emerald McGee, Frank Szczepaniak, and W. J. Mears, Mike Sevenski and Albert Kroll.

Listing of Township and Village officers at the turn of the century

Township Supervisor William Mears Clerk William R. Vliet Treasurer C. H. Johnson Highway Commissioner James Sudman

Villiage President Frank L. Pierce Clerk Merritt L. MaGee Marshall & St. Commissioner L. Meaker Treasure James Tompson Assessor John Galster

Councilmen: Alfred Sudman, M. W. Soule, O. H. Marsh, William L. Ellison, and Patric Doyle.

Lumbering

Agriculture

School

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