HISTORY OF LEWISTON

FROM TIMBER CAMP TO TIMBERTOWN

Although there were many pioneer settlers in the area, Lewiston became a village when it was platted by the Michelson Hanson Lumber Co. 1891. Mr. Lewis Jensen, one of the managers of the company, helped plat the land and it was called Lewie’s Town until it was formally dedicated as Lewiston.

During the years the Michelson Hanson Co. had their logging, shingling, and planning mills along the shores of East Twin Lake, the town was prosperous. When the Michigan Central R.R. came to town, several businesses sprang up such as grocery stores, a drug store, a newspaper, churches, saloons, livery stables, hotels, restaurants, and many more stores and services to support the needs of a booming town. Some of the “old timers” recalled that there was a bordello or two.

After 20 years the pine was depleted in this area.  Michelson Hanson Co. left the area.  There were others who worked with hardwoods but Lewiston was on its way to becoming a lumbering ghost town. Pictures show vast scenes of cut over land filled with tree stumps.

However, Mr. Cephas Buttles, whose house is now the May family home on Buttles Road, started buying up land for $1.25 per acre. He then sold it as farmland for $5.00 - $15.00 per acre. He advertised throughout the Midwest and even in newspapers in Finland and Sweden to encourage people to take up farming here.

Lewiston had another growth spurt with pioneers coming to start farms. But after a few years the farmers found that under the thin top soil was mostly sand and the growing season was short. While some gave up and moved out, many stayed on. Their descendants continue to live in the area.

Life was hard for them and it didn’t help that the country was going through an economic depression. To supplement their meager income and to bring in much needed cash, they rented out rooms to sportsmen who came here for the excellent hunting and fishing.  This was the beginnings of the tourist trade in our area.

After WWII people began coming up and building cottages and cabins to take advantage of the recreational facilities, beautiful lakes and clean air.  Several resorts and lodges were built around the lakes to accommodate the growing number of tourists.