SWS - Spencer on the GRK&SE (PM) Traditional Cache

The location of this cache is just east of the crossing of the Pere Marquette Stratford branch line and Spencer road, on Kalkaska County road right of way.

^{Charles Conn collection, Folder 2, Box 6, Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, used with permission of Mr. Conn.}
Former boxcar turned station at Spencer, with some curious freight.

Spencer:

According to the 1907 Michigan State Gazetteer and Business Directory, Spencer had a population of 150, a teacher, hotel, general store, a millinery and notions store, a saw mill and a preacher. Spencer established a post office on February 17^th, 1899, with Sarah Gregory. The post office operated until 1954. The town had a station on the railroad.

^{Post Card image from the private collection of Martin Hogan, used with permission.}
A sled load of logs in front of the general store (and pub) in Spencer.

The GRK&SE was built solely to serve the lumber companies in and around Stratford. When the trees were gone, the railroad disappeared. The former town of Spencer is still a populated place, but not by much.

^{Charles Conn collection, Folder 2, Box 6, Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, used with permission of Mr. Conn.}
GRK&SE train stopped at a camp near Spencer.

Grand Rapids, Kalkaska and Southeastern Railroad:

The Grand Rapids, Kalkaska and Southeastern Railroad was built between Stratford, in northern Missaukee County, and Rapid City, in north-western Kalkaska County in 1897. There, it connected with the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad. The C&WM leased and operated the line. The Pere Marquette Railroad picked up the lease when it absorbed the C&WM in 1899, and gained financial control of the line 1903. When the timber in the area was harvested, the need for the rail line went away. In 1916, the line was cut back to Spencer and two years later, to Kalkaska. The remainder of the line was abandoned in 1921.

^{Map drawn by A.G. Hudley, 2013, using Google Earth and Google Maps Engine.}
GRK&SE and M&NE in the area of Spencer and O'Neil in Kalkaska County

The Manistee and Northeastern Railroad bypassed Spencer on its way to Grayling. Spencer didn't merit another line and the timber to the east was the primary goal of the M&NEThat line existed from 1909-1924. There were other short term lumber lines in the area as well.

Sources:

• Pere Marquette Railroad
• Manistee and Northeastern Railroad
• Michigan State Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1907, R.L. Polk & Co.
• Michigan Railroads and Railroad Companies, Graydon M. Meints © 1992, Michigan State University Press
• Michigan Railroad Liness, Graydon M. Meings © 2005, Michigan State University Press
• Michigan Place Names, Walter Romig, © 1986 Wayne State University Press