Station: Kneeland, MI

Kneeland was a station on the Michigan Central's Lewiston Branch, about 8 miles northeast of Grayling in Crawford County. It was settled in 1889. [MPN]

Image info: A 1918 railroad valuation photo of the depot in Kneeland. [CMUL]

Notes

Time Line

1908. October. Word just received from Kneeland states that the fires are completely surrounding the settlement and it is expected that they will spread into the big timber every minute. The town is a lumbering place and has a large general store and other public buildings and about 150 inhabitants. The relief train which was sent in last night is still there. The cars have all been loaded with the store goods and the household effects of the people, as well as other property of a personal character which can be easily taken out, and everything is in prepardness for the immediate removal of the goods and the people.

Fire fighting was kept up all night and it is hardly expected that the fire can be kept out of the big timber from present indications. Should it get away, the train load of goods and people immediately will start from the settlement for a place of safety and the town will be abandoned to the flames. [GRP-1908-1019]