Michigan has many interesting things to see, like the famous Great Lakes, the grand Mackinac Bridge, and the musical Motown Museum. But besides its well-known sights, the state has a hidden past that is marked by ghost towns and empty places. Pere Cheney stands out among these mysterious places. It is a former lumber town that is wrapped in mystery and is said to be haunted by the terrible fires and diseases that happened there in the late 1800s.
The Rise and Fall of Pere Cheney
The lumber baron George Cheney founded the town in 1873 and named it after his son Pere. It did very well in Crawford County, close to the Au Sable River. Over 1,500 people lived in Pere Cheney, which had a railroad station, post office, school, hotel, sawmill, and many other companies. But the good times didn’t last long. Many people died of diphtheria in 1893, which some people thought was caused by a witch’s curse, bad health, or too many people living in one place at the same time.
The town never fully got better. In 1899, there was a terrible fire in Pere Cheney that destroyed most of the buildings there. By 1912, the town was gone for good; the post office had shut down.
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The Haunting of Pere Cheney
Pere Cheney turned into a ghost town and became famous among locals and people who are interested in the supernatural. There are many reports of strange sights and sounds, especially in the graveyard where people who died of diphtheria were buried. A woman in a white dress, who is thought to be the town’s evil witch and the sounds of children crying and laughing are said to be ghosts. Some people said that the trees in the graveyard moved in ways that didn’t make sense, sending a message of life and anger.
People who visited often said they felt uneasy and that they could sense unwanted spirits. People still believed in a curse that told them not to dig up graves or take artifacts, and there were tales that a pack of wild dogs watched over the town.
The Visit to Pere Cheney
It’s difficult to find Pere Cheney since he’s tucked away down a gravel road ten miles south of Grayling and surrounded by thick forest. Only reachable by car, the badly maintained road requires navigation with a map or GPS. Once there, the cemetery is the most noticeable landmark among the scattered foundations and chimneys that are relics of Pere Cheney.
When visiting, utmost respect and caution are required. The ninety-odd graves in the cemetery—which is denoted by a fence and a sign—are mostly unmarked or illegible. One notable exception is the burial of Pere Cheney, which bears both his name and a Masonic emblem.
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In Summary
Pere Cheney is a haunting ghost town in Michigan that is fascinating and full of mystery, tragedy, and history. It invites people who are interested in stories of ascent and descent and challenges them to delve into its mysterious past. Thorough research, preparation, and adherence to polite conduct are crucial for people with the audacity to take risks. Pere Cheney might not be for everyone, but it offers an intriguing and strange experience for the daring and inquisitive.