Remembering Crescent: Logging and Life on North Manitou, 1907 – 1915

Forty years after North Manitou Island was acquired by the National Park Service, the site of the village of Crescent is largely hidden in its 15,000-acre wilderness. But the memories have been preserved. In this book, the family of A.J. White, who ran the Crescent sawmill, shares their trove of historical photographs from the years 1907 to 1915. Ghost towns capture our imagination. Today, there are old dock pilings and a few concrete piers to mark what was once Crescent, Michigan — a thriving community of over 300 people. Using rare photographs and detailed explanations of the early 1900s lumbering era, this book shows how people lived and how things worked in a a company town — right down to the long studs hammered into horses’ shoes so they wouldn’t slip on ice and mud. What an important addition to the annals of North Manitou Island life! —Susan Wasserman, writer, historian, and Leelanau Historical Society 2022 Research FellowNever before seen photos richly illustrate the people, pastimes, and lumber operation that once made North Manitou a lively settlement. Bill’s knowledge of the intricacies of the sawmill, railroad, and shipping highlight exactly how the company successfully harvested timber on the remote island. This book is an important chapter in the history of North Manitou and thoroughly documents a little-known decade in island life.—Kim Kelderhouse, Executive Director, Leelanau Historical Society & MuseumThe Rosas have created a wonderful volume rich in detail and rare photos, making this an important contribution to the published historical knowledge of North Manitou. It will be treasured by island campers, visitors, and story seekers — all who are curious about the mysterious point on the island map called Crescent. —Stacie Longwell Sadowski, North Manitou historian and adventurerThe Rosas have done a wonderful job of bringing the North Manitou story to life through great photos and detailed captions. Remembering Crescent is full of previously undiscovered information that many will enjoy for years to come. —Dave Taghon, Empire Museum----------------------------------------------Billy Harmon Rosa, the grandson of Esther (White) Morse, was born in the big white farmhouse of Esther and William Morse in Almira Township, Benzie County, Michigan. The stories that Esther told of her growing-up years on North Manitou remained in Billy’s memory. Billy was raised around the farm and learned lifelong skills from his grandparents and great-grandparents. After Esther’s passing in 1994, he knew he had to preserve the history of those eight years that was so memorable to Esther, as well as her love for Lake Michigan. Karen Rosa, Billy’s wife of sixty years, spent many years with Esther and quickly became aware of the importance of her island history. During the years of putting this book together, Karen complemented Billy’s endeavor by helping assemble photos and writing text to make Billy’s dream a reality. Read more