McKenzie Schoolhouse
Jeremiah (Jerry) McKenzie was born April 15, 1842 in Blenhiem, Ontario Canada. He came to Montmorency County where he married Ella Powell on February 3, 1893. To this marriage came six children: Mary, Katie, Russell, Evelyn, Elliott and Hubert.
Jerry McKenzie acquired a homestead (Hossler Road) in, 1888, when President Grover Cleveland signed the deed. The homestead and original deed remain in the family. The 6th generation grandchildren (Bailey and Tanner Broughton) are now being raised there.
Realizing there was a need for a school, Jerry and Alex McKenzie got the project moving and soon #2 school was built for their families and the neighbors. This was about 1890-1900.
Records show Grace Wiggins taught the McKenzie School in 1909-1910 and in 1925. Kathleen Murphy Johnson also taught in the school. Following are the family names known to have been in the school during that time period: Reed, Manier, Henry, Whitehead, Wilson, and Carey.
The Couty Centennial year 1981 approached. A group of persons interested in preserving the history, lore and artifacts of Montmorency County began meeting in 1979. Eventually Montmorency County Historical Society was organized. Membership was open to anyone willing to help achieve this goal. The group began searching for stories, pictures, and information for a book. “Life in the Forest” was produced.
In 1981-1984 with much help, the McKenzie School was moved from Baker Road to the County Fairgrounds in commemoration of its use as a county school and Grange Hall. After the school was closed, it became a Grange Hall. The Grange was the order of Patrons of Husbandry, a nationwide association of U.S. Farmers, founded in 1867 to support agricultural interest. As such, it became the center for many community activities, Oyster Suppers, Square Dances, Box Socials, and Family gatherings.
Rice House
The Rice house, built in 1882 by John Parks, is a well preserved example of a New England Colonial frame house. It was the first frame house in this part of Montmorency County
There have never been any longtime permanent residents of the Rice House, probably due to the fact it was never hooked up to electricity or to a water supply. The house was sold to George Hilberbrant(father of Ruth Rice) in 1910. He died in 1927 and ownership pass to his wife, Etta(Reminton) Hilberbrandt. At that time, Clarence and Ruth(Reminton) Rice moved in and took over operations of the homestead. Upon Etta’s death in 1941, ownership was transferred to the Rice’s.
The house was moved to its present site at the Montmorency County 4H Fairgrounds in 1990 when it was donated to preserve it from demolition. It was painted white shortly after the move to avoid weathering. Prior to its move to the fairgrounds, it was located about 7 miles West of its current site. The move did not effect the historical integrity of the house except for minor repair of the clapboard siding and the application of paint.
Smith Cabin
1947-1982
This cabin was purchased by Henry & Doris Smith from Cassopolis, MI in 1947. It was located at the corner of Ryan and Lake 15 roads.
This cabin was built in the mid 1800’s. In its first hundred years, it functioned as an early pioneer family cabin and later as a trapping/hunting cabin. When the Smith’s purchased the cabin, it was operating as a small restaurant with a lean-to kitchen on the back.
To the Smith family, the cabin was a summer haven of fun. It had an icebox, oil lamps, an outside pump and an outhouse.
Each summer the cabin was enjoyed by family and friends. Some weeks in the winters while trapping beaver and otter. Three of the Smith siblings (Jim, LeRoi, Beverly) spent their honeymoons at the cabin.
When Henry and Doris built and moved into their retirement home, Henry’s mother, Myrtle Smith Asmus, made the cabin her home for many years.
In 1982, the Smith’s donated the cabin to the Montmorency Fairgrounds.
