On the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in an area known as the Ottawa State Forest, a handful of families have been living there in cabins (affectionately referred to as “camps”) for generations. Back quite a few years ago, these people known collectively as Yuppers (for U-P or Upper Peninsula dwellers) built these cabins as vacationing spots initially, but over time which became permanent homes.
The largest natural feature in the area is the Ontonagon River which flows and feeds Lake Superior. For decades, the land in and around the river was owned by the Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) which provided hydroelectric power to a full two-thirds of the population of the UP.
Detroit Free Press has more:
Since the company had no real use for the land on either side of the river itself, UPPCO leased scattered 1-acre parcels to local residents who could not afford to buy their own property so they could build small cabins near the water, where there was good hunting, great fishing and beautiful scenery.
People built structures in all shapes and sizes, and gave them names like Bar None Lodge, Doe Haven, Altoon’s Alehouse, Da Troll Camp and Fuzzy’s No Road Condo. Most were bare-bones log cabins without power or running water. But they were solid camps that lasted for decades.
According to the report, the dams never materialized and the power company ended up selling the land back to the state. Twenty-five years ago, the federal government showed up and showed interest in the land. The state sold the land to the U.S. Parks Service, which then issued a notice to the camps that they would be given a grace period of 25 years to make arrangements to either move the homes or vacate them completely.
Reasons for this abandonment were not given, but it was assumed that the federal government had plans for the land. While the news was heartbreaking for the residents of these cabins who had literally spent their lives there, raising kids and passing on these residences through the generations.
All in all, the general pervading thought about the grace period was that maybe, just maybe, in twenty-five years the federal government would forget about them and just simply leave them alone.
In March of this year, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the notice by the federal government, U.S. Parks Service rangers appeared at their doors.
This is heartbreaking. What did these small cabins really matter to the federal government? They were just a check off item on a beaurocrats list of action items. Now homes and the life history of over 100 families have been wiped out forever… for nothing and for land that was not be reused by anyone. What a waste. There MUST be room ifor appeal and humanity in the federal government for reason. Hopefully the days of land grabbing from the Obama era are over and saner men and women in Trumps Cabinent can provide an avenue for appeal should a similar situation arise. Oh, the UP has some of the most beautiful forests in the US, isolated but beautiful. I think of it now as a new trail of tears. SHAME ON THE PARK SERVICE.
Really
So 25 years of free welfare housing wasn’t enough for them to get their lives in order? I side with the land owner no matter who it is, private or gov. They had ample time and did nothing.
They’re drilling the parks, residents gotta go. Thank Trump and his “donations”.
How very sad and cruel. Does the federal government have any real plans for this area? If not, their actions are shameful!
I thinf feds are stealing from people thats a bad government and they want usnto trust them hell no there democrats
Amy B Harrison Mary Pelto Allore
The US Forest Service is the most Draconian and heartless agency of the government. It is ill managed and is an enemy of “We the People”. Congress needs to clean it up now!
Agenda 21 at work.