Town: Ross Station
Population: Only about five residences nearby
Reason for Decline: Once the timber harvest was over there was no longer a need for the village here. The post office was discontinued, the station was removed, and the people left.
History: The village of Ross Station began in 1870 when the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad completed track from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Grand Rapids, Michigan. The town primarily served as a hub for the lumber industry in the area. In 1871, it was platted as the Village of Ross Station and a post office was established. Four years later, the village had a population of 35, a hotel, a grocery store, railroad depot, a handful of sawmills, and post office. Produce such as, wheat, oats, corn, and potatoes are shipped from Ross Station. By 1895, the timber harvest was starting to wrap up in the area and there was only one sawmill left and a population of 30. Around 1900, all of the timber at Ross Station was gone and the village began to dwindle. The post office still operated for 20 more years but, eventually was closed in 1922 due to Rural Free Delivery from Byron Center. Today, a cement parking lot and a warehouse occupied the former village site. Nothing but stories remain of what was once a hub of activity in the 1800’s.
Ross Station Village Plat, 1907
Notes: This cache is located a short distance off of 100th Steet, just south of the former village of Ross Station. The cache is a 4 Cup Jar, it can hold Coins, Travel Bugs, toys, etc. The nearby business has knowledge of the cache placement.
This cache is part of the Michigan's Lost Towns cache series. Visit this link to see the complete list and to submit your own!!!