Not much remains of Grindstone City
September 19, 2007
grindstone03.JPG, photo by smartee_martee.
Marty Hogan writes:
One of the few remaining grindstones on the beach. This one is about 3.5 feet in diameter. The beach used to be covered in the old Grindstones; from 1.5 feet to six feet in diameter. Bad, bad thieves plundered them all away.
This photo is part of Marty’s great Huron County, Michigan photo set (slideshow)
I went looking for a photo and details on Grindstone City so I could feature a site I found the other day, but there was little to be found from Michigan.org’s page on Grindstone City or the Port Austin Chamber.
UPDATE: March 2012: The best resource I found at the time of this post was willett.org, which featured piles and piles of photos and information about Michigan and its history. Among their were some postcards and old photos from Grindstone City, from which I learned that Grindstone City had a quarry and stone mill and made and shipped a whole lot of grindstones. Nothing at willett.org seemed to have been updated, and it felt like going up to an attic in an abandoned farm and poking through partially labeled boxes. Sadly the digital room has since fallen in, leaving nothing.
Fortunately, there are other resources, so check out today’s post Truing up a 3 ton stone in Grindstone City.
If you have anything to share about Grindstone City, post it in the comments!
September 19, 2007 at 7:14 am
Once upon a time, long ago… mid 70′s mid 80′s I spent quite some time in and around Grindstone City… and there were literally tons of grindstones lying around.
During the ’70′s there was also an independent press in the little “downtown” brick building. A couple, Ann (?) and her husband, ran it and printed work by Michigan poets and artists and other revolutionaries. I believe it was called Grindstone Press and that may be wrong. I have some of their work in my paper “archives.”
Does anyone else remember the press? A lot of Detroit artists knew Ann and her family and her work was well-known in the Detroit arts community.
September 19, 2007 at 8:07 am
Is it this building?
http://flickr.com/photos/alanna_stlaurent/1186814359/
October 3, 2007 at 4:08 pm
My dad was born in Port Austin and my grandfather worked in Grindstone City as a lumberjack, (not a quarry worker). I lived in a home my dad built in Grindstone City in the 80′s, then sold it and had to move on. My dad’s brother, my uncle Harry, had a cabin on the lake right around the corner from that home, and I spent many childhood days up there on the lake.
I have many photos and lots of memories of Grindstone City. I did know Ann, mentioned in the post above, and my daughter and her daughter were good friends.
I would love to share if anyone is interested. I can be contacted at joann.russell@gmail.com
JoAnn
October 8, 2007 at 9:23 am
Ken and Ann Mikolowski ran the Alternative Press out of Grindstone City. The Alternative Press started out in the 60′s on Detroit’s Cass corridor. Ann excelled at pointalism, miniatures, and paintings of Lake Huron. I knew Ann from when she did work with us students at the old Port Austin library building (since been torn down). Ken is a poet. He is still at U of M doing the poet “thing”. I am sad to say, Ann has passed.
To see some of Ann’s work:
http://www.stewartstewart.com/artists/mikolowski_ann/index.html
Marty Hogan
October 23, 2007 at 12:26 pm
I’m looking for those old fashion postcards that show the Grindstones and the Workers. My grandfather Abner Carpenter is shown in several (the guy with the floppy hat) He later went on to be in charge of Concrete Pouring on Boulder (Hoover) Dam. My Father Charles I. Carpenter was in the Coast Guard all around Mi. He was born in Bad Axe (1912)and his Grandfather did all the Blacksmithing required by the Grindstone Mfg. If you have any info please contact me: Arleighjoe@bigfoot.com
January 18, 2008 at 12:32 pm
My great, great uncle was the Capt. Peer whose name appears on the top of this building. He was a founder of Grindstone City.
The Capt. sailed all over the world and my family owns a coral neckless that he brought back from his travels in the orient. We also have a tin-type picture of him. He looks like Gregory Peck as Capt. Ahab in the movie Moby Dick.
Capt Peer loved to sail in the Great Lakes and one November a whitecap crashed over his ship taking him overboard. His body was found on one of the islands the following spring.
I’ve not been to the area in over a half century but I do remember the pier there was made of discarded and broken grindstones. They were everywhere. I can’t belive they’re gone
March 7, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Hello Bill,
I would be very interested to hear more about your Great Great Grandfather Capt. Peer. I am a summer resident of Whalens Grindstone Shore Inc. We are a Trailor Park right on the area where the industry took place, the cove the was created by the long arms that jutted out into lake Huron for the rail tracks, is where we are located.
My self and two other woman in the park have created a Historical site on the camp grounds, we have some of the machinery and lots of pictures, showing the quarrys and the work being done in them.
We have gathered as much information as we could about Capt Peer, but alas, not a lot.
If you could possibly be able to give us some more information on him, it would be really apreicated. Hope to hear from you Johanna
August 1, 2010 at 11:45 am
Bought these in Huron, Ohio at a photo show. Paid $25 for these 3, unused postcards. Do you have more you could scan and share , with me… Jerry (sorry, guess I can’t scan and send photos here-if you send your e-mail will send these 3 nice views). JLC
November 29, 2010 at 8:19 am
FYI, I was just up there this past Saturday, and stumbled across the building with your great-grandfather’s name on it. Not only is it still there, it’s for sale. I’ve got the wife thinking about it… It’s a really neat old building!!
January 18, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Thanks for sharing Bill – that’s some very interesting stuff!
February 9, 2009 at 11:03 am
I was born and raised near Port Hope and have a group of photos that I took in the 70s of Grindstone City and of Ken and Ann Mikolowski. I also took quite a few pictures of the grindstones lying around. Are they still there? I am putting a photo book together of the area that I took during that time which I hope to have finished by this fall. Do you think there would be much interest in that in the area? I live in Albuquerque New Mexico now.
September 28, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Looking for any information on grindstone city particular from 1838-present about cause of death, population, general history shipping records of grindstones to where if you can help any info will be appreciated.
July 27, 2011 at 10:02 pm
I would love to see your pics. Ken and Ann mikolowski used to live in the building we are now restoring and we have no pics of them or the building except for one.
April 10, 2009 at 10:07 pm
i have property in grindstone city that was handed down from my parents its a beautiful peaceful area
April 28, 2009 at 12:11 am
I found your blog and read a few of the posts. Keep up the good work. I am looking forward to checking out more from you in the future.
June 14, 2009 at 1:44 am
hey man, very cool website.
awesome replies too.
June 26, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I stayed in Grindstone back in the early 90′s at a place near the marina where you could rent rooms. I can’t remember what it was called, but I do remember it was completely done up in a thin, creaky pine board. I think the rooms were only $15 a night. Does this ring a bell with anyone?
I also remember the ice cream place. We walked down a country road, in the dark, for what seemed like forever and finally there was this lone general store that sold ice cream and it was packed with people.
August 9, 2009 at 10:34 pm
We were at the Grindstone General Store tonight getting their much-lauded giant helpings of ice cream (although a gas station just north of Marlette proved to have much bigger helpings!). At Grindstone, a ‘double’ has 4 scoops! They had tons of local artwork, ceramic, photography, cookbooks, history books and mini grindstones for sale (as a grindstone or a door stopper that I fancied may be a good heel stone) and loads of antique ice cream sundae glasses and scoops on display. The boys working there were friendly and funny. Worth the drive and easy to find! They only take cash and checks.
October 22, 2009 at 1:58 pm
my grand parents used to live next door to the general store. i used to spend my summers as a kid there in grindstone. and sadly my grandparents both passed away a couple years ago and i havent been there since
January 2, 2010 at 11:45 am
Is your Grandmas name was Blanche (Bobbie)& Grand pa BJ?
Bobbie is my 1st cousin,
I was rasied a mile south of the General Store. It was owned by Roy Rouse & it was truly a General Store & Post office.You could buy penny candy,store bought bread, animal traps, shotgun shells, postage stamps Ect.
November 18, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Are the quarry’s still there? That would be a cool place to visit if there is anything left to see. Where was the main street located? Is that still there?
January 16, 2010 at 8:54 pm
My great grandfather Charles McAllister and his brothers and father all worked at the Quarry in Grindstone City. I am hoping to find more information on my family history.
Thank you.
June 23, 2011 at 9:11 pm
Hi Kim –
My Great Great Grandfather – Francis Taafe of Kinde married a Caroline Collins in 1883.
His BEST man at their wedding was a William McAllister. I have seen your Great Grandfather – Charles McAllister on Census’s. I wonder if this William McAllister was a brother or cousin to your Charles McAllister?
I live up north – Northwestern Michigan – Bellaire, Shanty Creek resort town. I grew up downstate and spent summers as a kid in the 1970′s in Kinde, Grindstone, Bad Axe and Pinnebog.
Doug Mills/Carpenter/Taafe Ancesters.
February 20, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Hi, sorry for taking so long in responding, Charles was Williams son. Thank you for sharing that with me. I have been working on my families genealogy history for many years now and I always appreciate anything that helps tell the story of my ancestors. William McAllister was married to Elizabeth “McDonald” Many of my ancestors homesteaded up in that area, including my Carr ancestors. John Carr does that name sound familiar at all? Thank you,
Kim Semaan
February 20, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Hi again Doug, I just spoke with my aunt and she said the Collins were a related to the McAllisters. I will try to figure out what the connection was. Thanks again
January 26, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Hi Everyone,
I see there are many people that love Grindstone City. I spent most of my weekends as a kid up there in the 1980s.
I am currently constructing a page on Facebook to add historical and landscape pictures for everyone to enjoy. If anyone would like to contribute, it would be greatly appreciated. It is Grindstone City Michigan at Facebook.com or you can email me a grindstonecity@gmail.com
Thanks Steve
May 22, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Hi Steve, I saw your thoughts about Grindstone City. I lived there in the sixties. Just a kid. I lived on the harbor, which I guess is now called whalens resort. (Just for a reference I am now 71) My Mom Mabel Whalen and step dad Mac Whalen started the whole Whalen resort thing. I went to sixth grade and two years of highschool at Pt Austin schools. My name then was Linda Welsh. It was an absolutely a beautiul place to live . We live on the Grindstone harbor and my favorite place to be was the right arm of the harbor. Please respond with any comments you might have. I keep thinking I want to come up and visit just because!!
.
July 9, 2010 at 7:41 am
My Grandfather was Sam Bologna. He and my Grandmother Cristina, owned the ‘Sam Bologna Trailer Park’, next to the Casteloma, right across from the Quary. When we were children, we had such adventures exploring that Quary, the woods and the lake. The park is now Thrushman’s Cove. I have some wonderful old photos from the 40′s, to date, that I’d love to share.
October 3, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Hello Julie,
Sam and Cristina Bologna were my godparents. I was just in Grindstone City on Wednesday with my wife and friends looking for the Trailer Park and some other memories. I only visited my Godparents once up there, so I only vaguely remember the house. I have/had an old post card of the trailer park. My Godfather and Godmother were somewhat instrumental in my marrying my wife.
My mother opposed my marriage and suggested that we talk to my Godparents to “get things straight”. My Godfather asked me, “Do you love Diana?” I said “yes”. I then proceded to explain to my mother that she should have no objection even if my wife’s family was from the other side of Terrasini-nor for any other reason.
I was always curious about my Godparents and their time at both Port Austin and Eustis, Fl. We have a place in the Caseville area and like driving to the area trying to imagine where the house and park were. When you now mention the Quarry, I am even further confused.
Well, I can go on and on. You know how great your grandparents were. I truly loved them especially my Godfather. Practically every time I went with my dad to the Detroit Fruit Vendors store he would say, “Its good that you help your dad, but make sure you get a good education.
I can’t say I really know that much about their children in that I only met them once or twice at a wedding or something so I don’t know your mother or father, whomever is the connection.
If you get a chance write back if you wish with more details about Grindstone City.
October 8, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Julie
Your grandparents were wonderful people. The were my great aunt and uncle. We visited them often in Grindstone city up until 1970s. Also we lived in SCS at the time. I have Bologna genealogy from Terrasini. Saw a couple of yr aunts at my Mom’s wake earlier this year.
Janice
July 12, 2010 at 9:11 am
just vacationed in thumb drove around andd found grindstone city was wondering about some history about what where how all the stones was used for an where and why is it look abandoned now. Drove past the genral store busy with people, didnot stop wish i did now thanks
July 21, 2010 at 7:09 pm
No Photos, but my dad and brothers lived in Harbor Beach for many years and when I was a child we would travel to Grindstone City where dad would show us the grindstones that ‘grew on the beach’. Of course, we believed him! At that time you could purchase tiny replicas and we all had one.
September 5, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Did the new pictures get uploaded yet anywhere of the city the way it used to be?
October 15, 2010 at 10:59 pm
In about 1948 or 9, I was about 4 years old and my family was fishing at Grindstone city. There was an Island of sorts (wonder if it is still there?, it was to the left when you were facing the water), not far off the beach. Someone had caught a pike fish and did not want it, so my cousin(adult) was trying to cast his line out for the man to put the pike on the line for him. I was on the back of a pickup with my younger cousins. As he cast the line, it hit me in the forhead with a wallop I still remember the thud,pain and blood. I ended up at the doctors getting about 6 stiches.
Seems the sinker had caught me in the head as he cast. I was the third one, it missed the first two cousins.
I still have the scar. Will never forget Grindstone City. Had many happy times there also. Fishing and playing. I remember playing on the rocks or as I know now grindstones also.
Spent many days in Bad Axe, and Caseville in the summers with my grandma. I lived in Detroit.
I still duck when someone is casting line to close to me.
November 6, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Marty,
I found your flickr images of Sitka and would like to know how we can share your images with area folks. I am working on a website for the Sitka united Methodist Church– One of our projects is to “adopt” the Sitka Hall and see if it can be revived as a community center–In addition, I am the Deputy Supervisor for Bridgeton Township (1/2 of Sitka is in Bridgeton Twp & the other 1/2 is in Sheridan Twp) and I am always looking for Bridgeton/community history gems — (website there is http://www.bridgetoncommunity.com). I would like to either showcase a collection of your images in a slide-show/flash attached to the 2 websites — Let me know if there is something that we can work out –email 7 contact info is on the bridgeton website.
THANKS!
Susan Joy
December 12, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Does anyone know if there are any of the old grindstones still for sale? If you know of anyone who has access to, and are willing to sell some please contact me at david.r@SttSecurity.com
July 27, 2011 at 7:42 pm
We recently bought the old capt peer building in Grindstone City. We are in the process of restoring it and opening the old general store part of the building. We are looking for any pictures available. We have only found one old picture of the building. We would greatly appreciate any pictures involving this building and those who lived in it. We love this place and are so proud to have the chance to bring it back to life. It has been so neglected for so many years.
August 9, 2011 at 9:31 am
A lot of my family are from the thumb area. My aunt gave me a sort of bowl with a lid from Grindstone City. I have no ideal what it was used for. I intend to take a trip there this summer to see if I can figure it out. Anyone have an idea what it was used for?
reply
August 31, 2011 at 8:08 am
After my mom passed away when I was only 5 years old my dad and I found peace and happiness in Grind Stone City. I went back up several years ago to find my old bowling game in the Old Grind Stone bar and grill == I broke down in tears! It had been 35 years since I had been there and time stayed still – then went and had ice cream at the general store. It was so nice to feel like a kid again.
October 1, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Love to see all the history being rediscovered. Any photos can be added to the Grindstone General Store’s Public Archive.
3206 Copeland Rd Port Austin MI 48467 or sent to our email
GrindstoneStore@aol.com
Keep talking, expressing and sharing your history.
Brian
March 6, 2012 at 11:00 pm
I grew up in Grindstone City in the 70′s My parents owned the house west of the Grindstone General Store. There was the house and the cinder block building, my grandfather built it in the 50′s and wanted to open up a barbershop. He died before he could complete it. It was just shell roof walls and a wooden floor full of junk as my grandfather was a pack rat. In the early 70′s we had a little gift shop in the front of that building, my Mom would get the flat bigger grindstone and paint scenes of Grindstone City as she remembered them from her youth. She would get the small round stones paint smiley faces of different colors on them. On other stones she would paint the zodiac signs, some of them she would drill a hole through and run a piece of leather through so you wear them. She couldn’t paint them fast enough especially the scene’s. My aunt would make drift wood sand candles and sell them there as well
I remember the Mikolowski’s in addition to their paper they used to make Tee shirts with scenes from Grindstone Cities past on them, they were blue and white. I remember they gave me one for my graduation from High School, I loved that shirt it was so comfortable, I have it still stored away. Down the road used to be the home of David Summerville, he used to make small grindstones and put them in a walnut stand that he also made, and he would sell them to the tourists He was one of the last men to work in quarries before they shut them down in the 30′s Then there was the Cook sisters, sisters who had married brothers and they were both teachers. One lived in the house that the Mikolowski owned, they actually bought it from her. The other sister lives in the house just before the crick, she used to have 3 or 4 small cabins that she used to rent our in the summer time, they were always full all summer long, Mrs Woods used to live on the other side of crick and they used to have wooden bridge on the back of their properties that they used to use to visit each other. Couple of house down was the Moran house I believe it was Russ Moran and he used to be a commercial fisherman, back in the 60′s he used to sell smoked fish. I could share so many more memories lol
To Darwin that was my mother Blanche everyone called her Bobbie, her husband my dad was called DJ
Jim Mullen
April 25, 2012 at 9:45 am
nice to see you still online, Jim Mullen. Good memories to you.
March 3, 2012 at 8:39 pm
I recently discovered I had ancestors who lived in Huron county. Specifically, a distant cousin – Henry (John Henry) Richards is listed on the 1880 census as living in Grindstone City. It appears that he was employed there. My husband and I are planning a trip to that area in late June/early July. Flo
March 10, 2012 at 10:56 am
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