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History of
Indian River
David Smith was one of the first white settlers came to the region in 1873. Other early settlers were Solander P. Hayes, Mathew A. McHenry and John B. Clark.
One account states that the village of Indian River was founded by Floyd E. Martin who moved here and bought land in 1878, had it surveyed in 1879 and recorded in 1880. However, no land patent searches for Floyd Martin support this statement.
Situated strategically between Burt and Mullett Lakes, Indian River was an ideal distribution and gathering point for lumber cut from the surrounding area. It received a post office in 1881 and eventually became a station on the Michigan Central Railway line.
A community of log cabin homesteads appeared along heavily wooded shores of this scenic water route shortly thereafter as the area began to grow. At the turn of the century, along this water route, more than 32 steamboats carried supplies, mail, logs and forest products. Timber cutting and prosperous saw mills, followed by orchards and farms, eventually cleared the land.
Later, encouraged by the new railroads, seasonal tourists began arriving. Many of them settled in summer hotels and in river and lakeside vacation homes. This shift in the region's industry made Indian River the resort area it is today.
In 1911, Indian River was devastated by a fire along the downtown area, destroying what Tuscarora Township considered much of its business district. The area built anew and economic growth continued.
This Page Was Last Updated Saturday, 03-Mar-2012 12:37:35 MST
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