Town Name: Newark
Population: 4
Reason For Becoming a Lost Town: The town never had a large population, but after it lost its post office, it all but disappeared.
Town History:
The community of Newark was created as a postal stop in Newark Township, Gratiot County. The post office was in operation from August 1857 to May 1860. It shut down for a little over three years, re-opening in December 1863, finally closing for good in April 1902.
According to mfhn.com, "The present proprietor of Newark store is S. P. Jones, and he has been on the job since 1903, successor to I. E. Chapman, a well-known citizen, formerly of Seville, who died in Newark in 1903. Mr. Jones carries a good sized stock of general merchandise, and is ably assisted in his work by his energetic wife".
In later years, the store closed down and was briefly turned into a gas station.
On the east side across the street, there was another store and a small house next to it, both now long gone.
The old post office/store/gas station still stands, currently a residence on the corner of W. Buchanan Rd. and Ely Hwy.
'Newark' sits, basically all alone on that corner, with some farmhouses scattered throughout the countryside. It can be called a ghost town, or a town that never got the chance to grow past one or two establishments.
Source: MICHIGAN GHOST TOWN: Newark, in Gratiot County
Cache Description: A bottle that has no pencil. Bring your own please!
Notes of Interest: Located in Naldrett Cemetery about 2 miles south of town, please be discrete and do not visit at night!
This cache is part of the Michigan's Lost Towns cache series.