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

The location of this cache is at the town site of Stratford on the Grand Rapids, Kalkaska and Southeastern Railroad.

^{Charles Conn collection, Folder 2, Box 6, Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, used with permission of Mr. Conn.}
GRK&SE / PM Depot in Stratford, one of the more famous photos taken here

Stratford:

Stratford was built solely to serve the lumber company. When the trees were gone, the town and the railroad disappeared. At its height, several trains a day served the town, coming from Elk Rapids. All that is left is a site with signs showing the locations of various buildings and a signboard with some photos and sketches. The site is owned by the State of Michigan.

^{Charles Conn collection, Folder 2, Box 6, Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, used with permission of Mr. Conn.}
Log train at Stratford. Can you match the buildings with signs that exist there today?

Grand Rapids, Kalkaska and Southeastern Railroad:

The GRK&SE was built from Stratford, through Kalkaska to Rapid City in 1897. It was leased and operated by the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad and then leased and operated by the Pere Marquette in 1899. The PM purchased it outright in 1903. In 1916, the line was cut back to Spencer and two years later, to Kalkaska. The remainder of the line was abandoned in 1921.

^{photo courtesy of classroomhelp.com.}
Thayer Lumber Co near Stratford. Camp, 1900

More information about Stratford can be found on the page for MLT - Stratford II (GC3MKX1) and OBM Smith Hull Grade (Stratford) (GC29MHM). Terrain rating is because of the uneven ground within the town site.

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