Community Profiles

Elmira

Long known for its farming, and in particular, potato production, the small but close-knit community of Elmira is situated a few miles west of Gaylord, on the western edge of Otsego County. M-32 winds like a ribbon through the heart of the burg, whose residents still support a Catholic church, a small cafe, post office, general store and lone tavern.

Today’s Elmira is perhaps quieter than days of old, when it was established in 1883 under the name Windsor and served as a haven for lumbermen. 

At one time, Elmira was a thriving community boasting sawmills, hotels, several stores, a church, post office, bank, school and town hall. A birds-eye view of the town around the turn of the century shows a booming community situated along today’s M-32.

In the years that followed, the population of Elmira dwindled and businesses closed, but many people still call it home, and have for generations.

Surrounding the community are acres of farmland, upon which still stand many family farms producing various crops and, of course, the potato, a mainstay not only at the dinner table, but for the community. The lumbermen are long gone, as is the activity surrounding the railroad, but what still exists in Elmira is a population proud of its heritage.

Johannesburg

Johannesburg, like many other Otsego County towns, emerged with lumbering and milling operations.

This community — which today boasts a huge annual Fourth of July celebration complete with holiday parade, games and fireworks — is one rich in history. Just 10 miles east of Gaylord on M-32, Johannesburg was incorporated in 1901 and was home to the lumbering company of Johannesburg Mfg. Co., operated by the Salling, Hanson and Michelson families.

The town was named after Johanna Hanson, wife of the president of the company. The company was responsible for much of the construction in the small burg, including the development of a branch railroad line, which was for many years a lifeline for the town.

At its peak, Joburg, as it is nicknamed, was a bustling community of 700. By 1929, lumbering operations had ceased.

Today Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools are a focal point for the community. A gas station, eateries, post office, small grocery, township hall, library and its people make up Johannesburg.

Remnants of its past are preserved at Henry Ford Museum and Hartwick Pines State Park. 

Vanderbilt

Located in Corwith Township, Vanderbilt is Otsego County’s northernmost municipality and is best-known as the “Gateway to the Pigeon River Country State Forest,” a 105,000-acre forest home to Michigan’s only elk herd. The forest attracts not just wildlife, but visitors and tourists eager to experience a pristine wilderness where blue ribbon rivers etch their way through miles of woods, fauna and flora.

The village of Vanderbilt was established in 1875, when the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw Railroad extended its line northward from Gaylord. Construction on the railroad extension began in 1881. Virgin woods native to the area attracted timber buyers from across the country.

Besides the vast wilderness of the Pigeon River Country State Forest, Vanderbilt houses industries such as H&H Tube and Manufacturing, Van Products and Grant Airmass Corp. The village of Vanderbilt  was established in 1901 as a general law village.

Elected officials serve either two- or four-years terms. Village offices are located at 606 Garfield Street in Vanderbilt and may be reached by calling 983-4244.

Waters

The community of Waters, 11 miles south of Gaylord on Old U.S. 27, has undergone a face lift recently, dressing up its downtown with new streetlights, signage and landscaping. In 2007, the community debuted Thunder Over Waters, a festival with fireworks and activities, and residents hope the Labor Day weekend becomes as much a part of burg as its rich lumbering history.

The community has an up-and-down existence since its establishment as a village in 1872, being deserted and re-established three times. It was once known as Bradford or Bradford Lake, then Wrights, and now Waters.

The village flourished for many years under the logging industry, but as the forest area was cleared, residents began relocating, and little remained of the community. In 1891, lumberman Henry Stephens Sr. helped the village to prosper again, and by 1905, about 300 people lived there.

After inheriting his father’s fortune, Henry Stephens, Jr. made Waters his home in 1912 and built a large dairy farm. He began construction of a glass bottle fence in memory of the lumberjacks of the day. Portions of the fence still stand.

In 1927, the Remi Schotte family purchased 1,800 acres of land, donating parcels for a fire department, post office and village park. Though the Stephens farm no longer exists, Waters, the heart of Otsego Lake Township, survives.

Guide 2010 » Community Profiles