Young State Park. Charlevoix County, Michigan

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1 Young State Park Charlevoix County, Michigan Young State Park, on Lake Charlevoix (previously called Pine Lake) originated in 1920 when 100+ acres of land was donated to the State by Boyne City. Boyne City previously had the land for this project donated to by several people from Boyne. The park received its name from the Young family, when A. F. and Mary Young gave their parcel of land to Boyne for the sum of $20.00 and other considerations. The park was made up of 242 acres at that time. It was typical Michigan lake shore property consisting of, white sand waterfront, pine, hardwood, and scrub timber. Later additional land was acquired by land tax default, and purchases. The park was opened to the public, in its very rustic state, in No running water, no electric, trails before roads, complete with area wildlife, mosquitoes (large), bear, porcupines, fox, and other critters things that went bump in the night. Men from CCC, The Civilian Conservation Corps, Camp Wolverine came to Young State Park and erected some of the first park buildings. The pavilion, bath house, well (pump) house, two toilets, and the park manager s quarters. These

2 were in the area known as Old West Campground or Oak Campground The Corps also erected a split rail fence that surrounded the park perimeter along with planting 25,000 red pine seedlings. Some of the red pines you see there today. On a personal note, it was interesting to find that my fatherin-law, Michael Shubert worked from CCC Camp Wolverine on the Young State Park buildings in the 1930 s. I am sure that many other Boyne City men s sir names appear on the rosters from Camp Wolverine. See old photo of CCC erected log building. (1936) The park is located on what is known as the Boyne City- Charlevoix Road or more properly know as County Road 56. The original entrance was about ¼ mile to the North of the present entrance. It was affectionately known to locals as the figure 8 road due to the many curves and turns required in its passage. Since its conception the park has had many additions and/or replacements. Fire took the old log cabin style park ranger residence in Then new entrance road was designed and completed in In the 1960 s a new head-quarters building was added. We now have three camp grounds in the park. Oak, Spruce and Terrace. They offer trailer parking, lakefront, rustic tent, and modern facilities.

3 As Scoutmaster for Boyne City Troup #49, I remember well many campouts held in Young State Park. The camp offers 240 camp sites for all types of camping, with direct boat launching access to Lake Charlevoix. The sandy beach is well known by locals and visitors. Some sites for larger motor-homes offer 50 AMP electric services. This along with a camp store, hiking trails, restrooms, showers and many other enhancements for the overnight or long term camping. When hiking through the park if you look closely to the geography of the land you might see the old lake water level line. In , the Core of Engineers lowered the lake level, some 3 to 6 feet. They dredged the Pine River channel deepening and widening the Pine River, by hand, until the channel was 35 ft wide and 12 ft deep. Piers were built into Lake Michigan north and south of the river mouth to act as breakwaters and were soon equipped with shipping beacons. As improvements continued, most Great Lakes steamers and sailing ships of the day could sail the length of the lake to bring in iron ore from the Upper Peninsula to be smelted in the furnaces at Boyne City, East Jordan and Ironton, loading milled lumber and ironwork outbound and generally provide freight service directly to other Michigan ports farther south and to Chicago. The original Pine Lake water table was considerably higher until Two Mini-Cabins, Timberdoodle and Sundew round out the available units. Today the park consists of about 563 acres and has lake frontage of 7,750 feet.

4 Young State Park stands second to none. It is well situated and surrounded by many Michigan cities and towns. These render a great deal of Michigan history and beautiful country year round. The Park also offers winter snow mobile, cross country skiing and snow-shoe trails.

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7 My special thanks to Sue Topham, Unit Manager Young and Fisherman s Island State Park Her assistance in gathering material and allowing me access to the park archives made this possible. Edward May III