Long Lake Map & History




A Glimpse Into Our Past
 
The history of Long Lake is sprinkled with rich stories and experiences of Native Americans, pioneers, subsistence farmers, lumbermen, religious enthusiasts, merchants, civic leaders, mobsters, weekenders, seasonal vacationers and year-round retirees. Written documents, photographs, and narratives detail the economic and social impact that lumbering, recreation, and tourism has had on the growth and development of Long Lake and the village, and provide a vivid picture of the people who trod the land and shaped its future.

Two hundred years ago, a pristine forest of white pine, red pine, cedar, oak, ash, maple, and beech covered the land now known as Iosco County. Fish were plentiful and wild game was abundant.

In the 1800’s, as the national demand for wood grew, the commercial lumbering industry boomed in northern Michigan and pioneering families from down state, Ohio, New York, New England, and Canada came to the area to earn a living, put down roots, and rear families.

A group of families, including the Barbers, Thayers, LaBerges, Shorts, Pratts, and Yosts, settled around Dease lakes in the 1880’s and engaged in lumbering and subsistence type farming.

George Thayer and his son-in-law, Louis LaBerge, eventually moved their families to the west end of Long Lake and began settling the land. Thayer and LaBerge built small lumber camps and sawmills at different locations on the lake, including one east of the point on Martha Drive. 

Click here to read the complete history of Long Lake
 
 
 
 

A Glimpse Into Our Past
 
The history of Long Lake is sprinkled with rich stories and experiences of Native Americans, pioneers, subsistence farmers, lumbermen, religious enthusiasts, merchants, civic leaders, mobsters, weekenders, seasonal vacationers and year-round retirees. Written documents, photographs, and narratives detail the economic and social impact that lumbering, recreation, and tourism has had on the growth and development of Long Lake and the village, and provide a vivid picture of the people who trod the land and shaped its future.

Two hundred years ago, a pristine forest of white pine, red pine, cedar, oak, ash, maple, and beech covered the land now known as Iosco County. Fish were plentiful and wild game was abundant.

In the 1800’s, as the national demand for wood grew, the commercial lumbering industry boomed in northern Michigan and pioneering families from down state, Ohio, New York, New England, and Canada came to the area to earn a living, put down roots, and rear families.

A group of families, including the Barbers, Thayers, LaBerges, Shorts, Pratts, and Yosts, settled around Dease lakes in the 1880’s and engaged in lumbering and subsistence type farming.

George Thayer and his son-in-law, Louis LaBerge, eventually moved their families to the west end of Long Lake and began settling the land. Thayer and LaBerge built small lumber camps and sawmills at different locations on the lake, including one east of the point on Martha Drive. 

Click here to read the complete history of Long Lake