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060,000 ACRES
E LANDS,
IN THK ST\TK OF MlfHIGAN, WITTï
L U ]\1 H E li S T A r 1 S TI (; s,
ANI» ÜTHRU VALUABLE INFOUMATIOK CONrERXING TKK
ï=>IlSrE L-A^lSriDS OF TKCE
Saint Mary's Falls Ship Canal Company.
LAND OFFICE, DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
DETROIT:
H . U A R N S , PRINTER, T R II) f N E 0 F F I C E ,
No. 36 Woodward Avonuo.
1SÓ7.
J
560,0 0 0 ACKES
PINE LANDS',
n THB BTATB OF
MICHIGAN,
WITH LUMBER STATISTICS AND OTHER VALUABLE
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE
PIISTE L^NDS
OF THB
Saint Mary's Falls Ship Canal Company.
LAND OFFICE, DETROIT, MICHIGAN.
DETROIT:
PUIKTKD BY H. BARNS, TBIBÜNK OFFICB,
Ko. 36 Wocdward Ayenue,
1857.
THE PINE AND FARMING LANDS
OF THB
SUNT MAM'S FALLS SHIPÍÍÁNAL ÏOMPANÏ.
DESIGN OF THE GRANT OF LANDS, AND THE
COMPANY'S TITLE TO THE SAME.
For the purpose of aiding in the construction of a Ship Canal
around the Falls of Saint Mary's, connecting the waters of Lake Supe
rior with Lake Huron, the Congress of the United States granted to
the State of Michigan 750,000 acres of the public lands.
The State of Michigan, in the Spring of 1853, entered into con¬
tract with the Saint Mary's Falls Ship Canal Company, for the building
of said Canal, in consideration of the grant of lands above referred to.
The work of building the Canal commenced in the Spring of 1853,
and was completed in the Spring of 1855, when, according to the
conditions of the contract, the State of Michigan conveyed, by patent,
to this Company, the title to the 750,000 acres of land, in conform¬
ity with the selections, which had previously been made.
MODE OF SELECTING THE LANDS.
The Pine Lands now belonging to the Company,
granted as above mentioned, .were selected principally
during the year 1853, and the early part of the year
1854; agents for the purpose being designated by the
Citnal Company, and appointed by the Governor of the
Sute.
4
The selections were made through the agency of ex¬
perienced woodsmen, surveyors and lumbermen, many
of whom were from the lumber districts of the State
of Maine. All the selections were examined by two,
and generally by three, different parties, at different
times, and without any connection with each other.
These examining parties went around each 40 or 80
acre lot, and through and across it, and recorded on the
spot a careful estimate in detail of the average size and
number of the lumber trees, their average height to
the limbs, the proportion of the different qualities of
lumber they would make, the character of the soil, the
capacities of the rivers for lumbering purposes, and such
other information as would affect the value of the lot
under examination.
The reports of all the parties who had, at the differ¬
ent times, examined the same lands, were compared
upon each 40 or 80 acre lot, when, if either report was
unsatisfactory, the lot was rejected.
There were employed, to make these examinationSj
from 18 to 25 parties, composed in the aggregate of
from 55 to 75|men in constant service for nearly 18
months. During this time they examined all the Pine
Lands in the State which were situated within a reason¬
able distance of good streams for floating logs.
As the Canal was a work of great public importance,
the Government permitted the agents to reject any lands
which had been taken up and subsequently found not
as desirable as supposed.
From the foregoing it wül be readily seen, that with
descriptions of all the lands, accessible to water, in the
State, before them, and all subject to entry, they had
the fullest opportunity to make selections so that no
5
better lands should remain than the least desirable
which they should select. In confirmation of this is
the fact that, that to find the last 18 or 20,000 acres, to
make up their amount, cost more time and expense
than any previous 100,000 selected.
GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE SELECTIONS.
MINERAL LANDS.
The Company selected about 190,000 acres in the
mineral region of the Upper Peninsula. These are lo¬
cated principally in the Copper and Iron Districts of
Lake Superior, embracing, also, some valuable Farming
and Timber Lands in the vicinity of the villages of
Marquette and Ontonagon.
PINE LANDS.
The balance of the Grant (560,000 acres) was selec¬
ted in the Lower Peninsula, and on the northern shore
of Lake Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula. These are
all Pine Lands, having mostly fine soil for farming pur¬
poses, and lying in different parts of the State, conve¬
niently located on good streams, and are the best selected
lands in the west
WATERS OF THE LOWER PENINSULA.
TTie Lower Peninsula is watered, in many parts, by large streams
and rivers, rising almost in the geographical centre, and outletting on
both sides of the State, into Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
The largest of these streams on the Western Slope, and emptying
into Lake Michigan, upon which the Lands of this Company are sit
uated, are Grand River, the Muskegon, White River, the Pere Mar
•quette. River au Sauble, Manistee, and River aux Becs Scies. On the
north shore of Lake Michigan, the Monistigue, Sturgeon, White Fish
■and Esconawhy. On the Eastern Slope, emptying into Lake Huron
6
th Cheboygan, Thunder Bay River, Black River, River au Sauile,
Rifle, Pine, and the large tributaries of the Saginaw, (the Tiiebeteae-
see, Chippewa, Pine, Tobacco, and Cedar Rivers.)
By reference to the accompanying map, it will be se?n that the
waters of these streams reach almost every portion of the peninsula,
and the Pine Lands of the Ciompany are located at various points
along their borders, in almost all the counties. The figures upon the
map represent the number of acres belonging to this Company in
each county.
These natural outlets, for the lumber of the interior, are un¬
surpassed in any other region. Most of them have been occu¬
pied at their mouths, for many years, as lumbering points.
Michigan lumber, in western markets, is known and designated by
the name of the stream in the vicinity of which it is produced.
SITUATION OF THE LAND.
On tlie waters of Grand River the Company have, in round
numbers, 34,000 acres.
A large number of saw-mills are located at the mouth and on the
upper waters of this river.
The Lands of (his Company here lie principally on Plat and Fish
Rivers, in the county of Montcalm. The pine is mostly of the first
quality, and a heavy growth, mostly White Pine, intermixed with
Beech, Maple, and other hard wood. There are some very superior
locations on Flat River for lumbering, and some choice farming lands
with pine timber.
Oh the watera of the Muskegon there are, in round numbers,
61,000 acres. At the mouth of this river there are nine steam saw¬
mills in operation, and five more projected, and others at different
points up the river. At Newaygo, a very thriving village, some 30
miles up the river, at the head of present steamboat navigation, is
located the largest water mill in the State, rurming 114 saws. Up¬
wards of 70,000,000 feet of lumber are shipped fi-om this river
annually.
A large proportion of the Company's Lands on this stream lie in
the coimty of Mecosta. The pine is of both varieties, yellow and
white; the growth is very heavy; the timber mostly first quality.
7
g^wing upon good soil for. agricultural purposes^ and, in the neig}^
horhoodof extensive settlements and villag^.
On WhiU River, and its tributaries, the Company have upwíffd»
of 21,000 acres.
At this point there n-e 3 steam and 4 water mills. The timber
near the mouth of this river is smaller than in some other localities,
but a very heavy growth, producing a large amoimt of lumber per
acre. Up the river, in the vicinity of recent extensive settlements,
the timber is large and of the best quality, growing upon good soil,
suitable for agricultural purposes.
On the Pere Marquette River the Lands of the Company embrace
upwards of 42,000 acres.
There is a steam saw-mül at the mouth of this river, which point
is the terminus of a Railroad projected from Flint to Pere Mar¬
quette, under a grant of land from the Government, which, it, is
believed, will give to these Lands Railroad facilities at an early day^
which has great bearing upon their value as farming lands after the
timber is cut off. This is one of the choicest and most compact
bodies of pine in the State. The timber is of both varieties, white
and yellow pine, growing with the best kinds of hard timber. Some
of the white pine among, these selections is of the largest size, pro¬
ducing a very large proportion of clear lumber per acre. The bulk
of these lands are located within twenty miles of Lake MioMgan,
and the stream upon which they are situated is one of the. best in the
State for lumbering purposes.
On the Manistee River the Company have upwards of 56,000
acres.
These are located all along the stream from where it is large
enough to float logs, to its mouth. The pine is generally of the very
beat quality, and favorably located for lumbering operations. There
are at this point 5 steam and 8 wifter mills, carrying on an extensive
trade in lumber. This is one of the principal lumber points in the
State.
At Thunder Bay the Company have, in a very compact body, up¬
wards of 59,000 acres.
A heavy growth of yellow and white pine covers the whole region,
intermixed with hard timber and good farming lands« This is one of
8
the most important harbors on Lake Hiiron. A village is 'already
laid out and organized, and extensive preparations are making for
conducting a heavy lumber business on the Bay.^The yelloiv pine in
this vicinity is of the finest quality. The demandjfor this species of
lumber and timber is constantly increasing, and some of the largest
lumber establishments in the State are manufacturingjthis in prefer¬
ence to the best qualities of white pine, realizing as large profits from
its sale as from any other lumber offered in market.
On the waters of the Saginaw River, before mentioned, the tym¬
pany have upwards of 100,000 acres.
On these waters there are upwards of 50 steam and water mills,
constantly employed. There is more lumber manufactured and
shipped firom Saginaw than from any other point in the State. The
selections of this Cîompany on the tributaries of this river, lie in the
counties of Gratiot, Montcalm, Isabella, Midland, Clare, Gladwin and
Tuscola. The pine is both white and yellow, and these selections are
among the best lands in the State, for all purposes.
Other points might be described, showing in detail all'the selections
of the Company, but the description of these principal localities will
be sufficient to show the general position and character of the Lands.
LUMBER STATISTICS.
»
The great lumber marlcet of the country, beyond all
doubt, is Chicago. The market of Milwaukee is also
an important one, and the amount of lumber received
and sent westward from that port is increasing rapidly
every year..
In the Annual Review of the Trade and Commerce
of the Port of Buffalo, for the year 1856, the following
remarks are found in reference to the lumber trade:
" The extraordinary demand which has sprung up for pine lumber
in Indiana and Illinois, where timber for building purposes is only to
be obtained from the lake regions and the Upper Mississippi, has
had the effect, more than other cause, not only to decrease the
receipts here of rough lumber, but to make a market for dressed
lumber at the West. Several of our planing establishments have
9
^pped large quantities to Chicago, and several cargoes to Milwau-
kie, the past season."
This extraordinary demand arises not from any tem¬
porary or fluctuating cause, but from the actual and
imperative necessity of the case. The settlement of
the prairie country of the West has but just begun,
and the immense emigration to these Western States
and Territories, tends directly to increase the demand
for lumber, and when it is considered that this constant
increase in the demand must be met, a single glance at
the map will convince kny one of the immense impor¬
tance and value of the lumber regions of Northern Mich¬
igan, which lie tributary to the great water communi¬
cation of the Lakes, perfectly accessible to these
principal lumber marts, and thus, as it were, in the
very lap of the prairie country, requiring immense
quantities of lumber for ordinary and daily consump¬
tion.
The increase in receipts of lumber at Chicago alone,
the past six years, has been nearly 400 per cent., as will
be seen by the following table ;
Receipts of Lumber at Chicago for six years.
SHINGLES. LATH.
60,338,250, 27,583,475
77,080,500, 19,759,670
93,483,784, 39,133,116
28,061,250, 32,431,550
158,770,860, 46,487,550
79,235,120, 135,876,000
ne 20,000,000 feet of lumber
are annually received, which, as no penalty is enforced,
escape the Custom House ; and, if this be added, it in¬
creases the amount for 1856 to nearly 500,000,000 feet.
LUMBER.
1851,
125,056,437,
1852,
147,816,232,
1853,
202,101,098,
1854,
228,336,783,
1855,
306,553,467,
1856,
456,673,169,
It is estimated that
10
The increase in 1856 over the year 1855, in the re-
ceipte of lumber at Chicago, it will be seen, is upwardi
of 150,000,000 feet.
Of the 470,000,000 received at Chicago during the
year 1856j including the amount on hand in the Spring
of that year, there remained on hand on the 15th of
February, 1857, only 117,461,805 feet, and of this
amount the largest proportion had been soldj and was
owned by dealers in St. Louis, who had been unable to
procure its shipment, which leaves a very small supply
to meet the demand at Chicago till May, when it will
begin to arrive again.
Statistics might be given of the lumber trade , at Mil¬
waukee, Detroit, Cleveland; Toledo, Buffalo, and/other
lake ports; showing in detail the extent of the lumber
trade of the lakes, but enough is given to show its im¬
portance, and further details/ wUl be unnece^ai^.
Through all these ports a large amount of Michigain
lumber is distributed to supply the demand of thej in¬
terior and the markets eastward.
Southern Michigan and Ohio are now supplied to a
great extent with lumber from Northern Michigan,
which is distributed from Detroit, Cleveland, Toledo,
and other ports.
COUNTRY TO BE SUPPLIED WITH MICHIGAN
LUMBER.
It is estimated that in the State of Illinois not more
than one acre in twenty is at present cultivated. It
must be less in Iowa, and the Territories further west
have but just begun to be settled, so that it would he
exceedingly dif&cult to calculate the extent, increase
11
and importance of the lumber trade of this region in
the immediate future.
The present consumption of lumber from the lake
ports is something over 700,000,000 feet per annum^
increasing from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000 yearly,
and "would increase faster if the supply could be fui^
nished, and the avenues of the carrying trade were
more extended.
A very large portion of the North Western States is prairie coun¬
try, without timber or lumber for the commonest purposes. This
region, comprising many of the largest States, is growing in popula¬
tion, wealth and general prosperity faster than all the rest of ti»
Union together, and is to a very great extent dependent upon Michi¬
gan for its lumber.
Knowing the supply to be quite limited, it may be worth while to
look a little into the future and see what the consumption and demaid
is likely to be.
The Lands of this Company will cut, upon an average, betweett
600,000 and 700,000 feet of lumber, board measure, to the 80 acre
lot. This is the estimated average on all the selections, and does not,
of course, appply to the lands in detail. It is probable that mapy
other lands which are being cut over will not average above 300,00®
to 500,000 feet, if as much.
The present consumption in the region dependent on Michigan for
its supply, is probably nearer 800 than. 700 millions of feet, and the
rate of increase for many years has probably not been as low as 2S
per cent.
Assuming the consumption in 1856 to be but 700,000,000 feet,
the rate of increase only 20 per cent., and the yield per SO acre lot
400,000 feet, and the following table will show the consumption for
the next four years, and the land cut over ;
FKKT OF LUMBER CONSUMED.
LAND CUT OVER.
1856,
1857,
1858,
1859,
1860,
700,000,000
840,000,000
1,008,000,000
1,209,000,000
1,451,000,000
168,000 "
201,600 "
241,800 «
290,200 «
140,000 acres.
12
These figures look large, but they are probably below the actual
results which will follow, as the following estimate of the consump¬
tion from Chicago alone will show. The rate of increase in the
consumption» from Chicago has averaged 33 per cent. With its many
fi-eshly built and extending railroads there is no apparent reason to
suppose this increase will be less for many years to come than it has
been in the past ; but for the sake of safety it may be assumed at
only 25 per cent., and we have the following table showing the con¬
sumption and land cut over for that market alone :
FEET OP LUMBER CONSUMED. LAND OUT OVER.
1856, 456,000,000, 91,200 acres,
1857, 570,000,000, 114,000 "
1858, 712,000,000. 142,400 «
1859, 890,000,000, 178,000 "
1860, 1,112,000,000, 222,000 "
For actual use in lumber operations it is probably better for th«
operator to buy the lands of this Company at the low price they are
selling them for, situated, as they are, near the stréams, than to work
from lands at a greater distance, even if they could get them for
nothing. This facj will be well understood by those acquainted with
the lumber business, who are familiar with the cost of getting' out
lumber. Looking to the very large and increasing demand for lum¬
ber, the limited supply of Pine Lands from which to meet this
demand, and the fact that this Company owns a very large propor¬
tion of all that are accessible to water and now out of the hands of
actual lumber operators ; and it seems clear that for the speculator,
man of capital, or actual lumber operator, no investment of money
promises so large and certain a reward as the purchase of these lands.
COST OF LUMBERING.
The following statistics may he of value to those who
contemplate investments in these lands:
The cost of a good steam saw mill, with one gang
of saws and appurtenances, including lath machinery,
is about $16,000. Mills of smaller capacity can be
built for $10,000. Portable steam miUs and water mills,
13
for sawing lumber on the ground where the timber is
produced, can be put up for much less, according to
capacity and locality.
The cost of loging (cutting the timber and getting
it into the stream for floating) varies according to
locality and convenience of access, from $1,50 to $3,00
per thousand feet. The cost of sawing lumber will
average from $1,50 to $2,00 per thousand.
The cost of transportation of lumber from any point
on Lakes Huron or Michigan to Chicago, Buflalo or
Cleveland, is from $1,50 to $4,00 per thousand, vary¬
ing with the locality and the season of the year.
A mill like the one flrst described above, running
eight months of the year, will cut about 5,000,000 feet»
One costing $10,000 will cut from 3,000,000 to 3,500,-
000 feet. Mills of these capacities have been success¬
fully operated during the past few years, at different
points, clearing from $12,000 to $25,000 per annum.
The value of common pine lumber in Detroit, for the
last few years, will average from $10 to $13. It is now
worth $15 per thousand. In Chicago $13 to $18.
The value of green clear lumber will average in
Detroit, for same period, about $23 per thousand feet.
In Chicago clear lumber is worth nearly or perhaps
quite as much as in eastern markets, and at so^pe points
on the prairies west of Chicago it is sold at from 70 to
80 dollars per thousand feet.
Logs at Detroit, (where a large amount of lumber is
manufactured,) averaging 1-5 clear, have been worth,
during the period above mentioned, from 7 to 8 dollars
per thousand feet.
Yellow or Norway Pine, which grows extensively on
the lands of this Company, in many cases commands
u
quicker sales, being preferable to White Pine for various
purposes. The average yield of this species of pine
per acre is very great. It has sold in Chicago the
past year at 16 dollars per thousand feet, for all qual¬
ities.
FARMING LANDS.
The lands of this Company, though selected with
particular reference to the pine timber, are neverthe¬
less, to a considerable extent, fine agricultural lands,
having a good loam soil and a läge amount of hard
timber, such as Beech, Sugar Maple, Oak, Ash,
growing with the Pine; also occasional bottom or
meadow lands along the streams, which are available
for grazing purposes, either to farmers or lumber ope¬
rators.
Michigan is well known to possess a soil and climate
better adapted to the production of wheat than most
of the Western States. This fact, with the additional
inducement of excellent timber of aU kinds, renders
these lands peculiarly desirable for purposes of agri¬
culture. The pine timber which must necessarily be
cut in clearing, will pay for the land, moderate build¬
ings, fencing, and other improvements,
T#WN SITES AND SETTLEMENTS.
The facts above mentioned, when conâdered with
the rapid development of the whole of Northern
Michigan, by means of the different State Roads and
Railroads, the building of which has been provided for
by the Legislature of Michigan at its recent session,
offer rare inducements to individuals or colonies who
may desire to locate permanently in the West
15
There are many points among the Company's lands,
in different localities, where tracts of from 500 to 10,'
000 acres or more may be obtained at very low prices,
having all the advantages of soil, climate, timber, and
streams, which have been mentioned. These points
are suited to the formation of settlements composed of
ten, fifteen, or twenty families, more or less, as purcha¬
sers may desire.
PRICE, AND TERMS OP PAYMENT.
The timber on these lands has been carefully scaled
by competent men, and the prices are based upon the
quality and quantity of the timber, and the locality,
varying from 5 to 15 dollars per acre.
Groups of lands containing from 3,000 to 10,000
acres, having a locality on the streams, and extending
back from two to three miles, may be obtained at prices
from 5 to 8 dollars per acre.
The terms of payment are, one-fifth at date of sale,
the balance in one, two, three and four years, with in¬
terest at the rate of six per cent., per annum.
Detailed maps of all the lands, with field notes of
examination, and scaling the timber, are open for ex¬
amination at the Office of the Company, in Detroit, and
parties wishing to purchase will be furnished, if desir¬
ed, with any necessary information, on application, by
letter or otherwise, to
GEORGE S. FROST,
Land Agent,
Detroit, Mich.
General Land Office, 1
St. Mary's Palls Ship Canal Co., >•
Griswold St., Detroit, Mich. )