The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-07-11
Northern Michirau.

Frankfort has population of about 1,500
inhabitants. The country was originally
settled by a colony, and now has many
prosperous farmers. The principal business
of the city is numbering; it has four saw
mills, one planning mill, two shingle mills
and one grist mill. Daily boats run from
here to other shore towns. The Petoskey
and other large lake boats make Frankfort
regularly from Chicago. Frankfort is also
port of entry, has a land Office and custom
house. A life saving crew of eight men are
also stationed here, and the captain gave us
very interesting description, explained
the workings of their entire outfit, and the
shooting of the line from a small cannon to
the wrecked vessel. The car that is used to
carry the wrecked crew ashore is truly a
Yankee invention.
promised to say more about Crystal
Lake. This is one of the finest sheets of
water in this state or any other; the water is
as clear as sunshine. The lake is some
miles long by about wide and it is about
% miles around it; it is rightly named
Crystal Lake from its cearness; 1t is fed
from springs. Some years ago a man
thought to make canal to the harbOr that
would allow the steamers to enter Crystal
Lake He dug the outlet which allowed a
large part of the water to flow into the Bay,
and upon investigation he found to his great
surprise that Crystal Lake was some 1S feet
higher than Lake Michigan. The lowering
of Crystal Lake has left a clean beach vary
ing from IL to 30 rods around the entire
lake; it is perfect grade so carriages can
be driven on any part of the beach. The
lake abounds i'm many of the best varieties
OF Michigan fish, there are also some wild
ducks here.
About two miles from the west end of this
lake is beautiful glen containing about 80
acres; this is on the south shore and is q
lovely spot, called Crystal Banks. | thought
it should have been called Crystal Glen.
The Crystal Bank Co. are beautifying this
spot in many ways, having built several
dams Oh the three streams that flow from
the springs back of the glen. These dams
are six or eight feet high with an apron for
the cool sparkling water to flow over; above
these dams are formed trout ponds that are
really curiosity, they are SO true to the
nature of the trout. This company may not
only have all the trout they will need for
their own use but could supply Petoskey
and other summer resorts. The company
are also building roads and bridges around
the banks and over the chasms, that are
bound to make this a very romantic and
beautiful spot. Paths are being made in
Swings are to be erected high up i'm the
hemlocks. A large pavilion is being built
out into the lake, and boats of various
descriptions are being built. One has Just
been launched-a beautiful yacht and is
named after G. X. Lyons daughter, jessie
The place Is being prepared so that every
want can be supplied, and tits naturally a
beautiful nature made spot; | could spend
hours describing its beauties and then not
begin to do the subject justice. So you will
not wonder tnat our enterprising business
men of Owosso have purchased All interest
with Mr. NJ X. Bank i'm this Locations; what
surprises me Is that it was not occupied long
ago. Crystal Lake is a little over mile
from the city of Frankfort and about so rods
from Lake Michigan. A few rods north of
it is situated Round Lake and a little be-
yond Is Long Lake. Neither of these are
any comparison to Crystal Lake, but they
contain an abundance Of fish. You can see
by glance at the map that Point Betsey is
a little north of Crystal Lake so that a cool
breeze is sure to pass that way across
Crystal Lake one way or the other contin-
ually. This place has many points of at
traction that are not equalled in Michigan,
and Is especially convenient for people
living on the line of the IA. A. & N. M.
X. r., as they soon expect to have their line
completed to this point when you can step
on to the train at even Toledo in the
morning and arrive there i'm the evening
without change of cars and at a very
nominal cost. / also learn that there has
been charter obtained to run railroad
clear out to Crystal Lake so that resorters
can enjoy cheap ride In the cool breezes.
In conclusion L will say that 1t will pay all
Owosso people to investigate before seeking
any other location. Many other points are
being beautiied. The Methodist Society
have large camp ground west of Crystal
Banks, and lots are sought for eagerly, and
we look for every valuable spot around this
lake to be taken at an early day by resort
ers. ID. nj. EsTEY.