Town Name: Bannister
Population: 100
Reason For
Becoming A Ghost Town: Like other nearby ghost towns, the Great
Depression hit this area hard. Businesses couldn't compete with
Ashley, Ithaca and Elsie and closed down.
Town
History: As the Ann Arbor Railroad was heading north towards Ashley
and Ithaca, a man named Thomas Hanvey saw the potential for a new
town on the railroad in Elba Township. In 1883, the post office was
established, and the next year, Bannister was born. Originally
going to be called Maple Bend (after the big bend in the nearby
Maple River), but instead was named Bannister, after the
family from Jackson who owned the land that would eventually become
the town. After the town was established, businesses were quick to
follow. During Bannister's peak, the town had a bank, Catholic
Church, elevator, cucumber salting station, hotel, livery,
blacksmith shop, general store, jeweler, clothing and furnishing
store, a barber and poolroom. Business was booming until the big
bust known as the Great Depression. Most stores closed during this
period, and with the invention of the automobile and the dwindling
importance of small towns, finished off what survived.
Regardless of these setbacks, Bannister has managed to keep its
identity. They celebrate their Dutch heritage (because of the fact
that many of the settlers that moved here came from Holland, MI)
with a festival every year. A handful of small businesses keep the
town's economy going and keeping hope alive that the town may
someday rebound.
Cache
Description: Cache is larger than a micro, but can only hold small
items. The cache is a clear lock & lock container.
Notes of
Interest: Located on an old baseball field off of Main Street.
Stealth may be required.
This cache
is part of the Michigan's Lost Towns Cache Series. Visit this link
to
visit the serie's website!
Bannister 1912-1913
Source: http://www.mfhn.com/gratiot/elba/tucker/bannister.htm