The site of this cache is on the abandoned Chesapeake and Ohio right of way through Blanchard, south of near where the depot stood. The site is on property owned by the township.
UpNorth Memories - Donald (Don) Harrison collection, used with Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Blanchard depot and elevator, 1910
Blanchard:
Blanchard was settled in 1878. By 1897 the population was 250 and the town had two churches, a stage to Rowland and Dushville (Winn), telephone, a post office, a blacksmith, barber, shingle mill, school, hotel, livery, druggist, hardware, meat market, general store and a grocery. By 1907, the population was up to 300, added a bank, saloon, a livery and feed barn, elevator and feed mill, produce market, hardware, boots and shoes, and many other small business and craftsman.
Detroit, Lansing and Northern Railroad:
The roots of the rail line through Blanchard began when the Ionia, Stanton and Northern was built from Stanton Junction, just north of Ionia, through Fenwick, Sheridan and Stanton in 1872. In 1876, The IS&N and two other lines were reorganized as the Detroit, Lansing and Northern. In 1878, the DL&N, extended the line from Stanton, through McBride to Edmore, where it connected with an east west line, the Chicago, Saginaw and Canada, (Saginaw to Howard City), a DL&N subsidiary. In 1880, the DL&N line was extended north and west through Wyman, Blanchard, Millbrook, Remus, Mecosta, Rodney and on to Big Rapids, where it crossed with the Grand Rapids and Indiana and connected with the Chicago & West Michigan. In 1893 the DL&LN built branch lines from Remus to Weidman, and from Mecosta to Barryton. A line from Rodney to Chippewa Lake also existed, but the time frame has not yet been determined.
The DL&N, and other lines were reorganized as the Detroit, Grand Rapids and Western in 1897. In 1899-1900, the DGR&W, along with other lines, were reorganized as the Pere Marquette. The line between Big Rapids and Remus, including the Blanchard and Weidman branches, was abandoned in 1943-44. The PM became part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad in 1947. The line between Remus and Edmore was removed in 1981.
Cache:
The railroad right of way ran through the cache site, east to west. Evidence of rail side businesses and buildings can still be seen near the cache site. The depot was west of the cache site across the tracks from the old mill building.
The cache site is also behind the collection of buildings fondly known by the ladies as Loafers Glory. There is plenty of nostalgia along with interesting things to buy (and eat). There are usually plenty of muggles in town, but not to many near the cache site. Update: Loafers Glory closed in late 2013.
You are looking for a two cup lock-n-lock.
Sources:
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