Hiawatha Sportsman's Club History

The Club was organized in 1927 by a group of men who were interested in establishing on an area of land, a vacation center which would appeal to people from all walks of life. 

The site they selected lent itself to such an undertaking.

As these men explored the lands by visiting the property, traveled on a few trails which were available and under rough going, believed there was a great future for a limited number of people to enjoy.

They set out upon a program to organize a Club which would be different from anything before attempted. It was to be built as a community where nature could be utilized to its fullest.On this property there was found frontage on lakes, streams, and Lake Michigan.

The site they selected lent itself to such an undertaking. As these men explored the lands by visiting the property, traveled on a few trails which were available and under rough going, believed there was a great future for a limited number of people to enjoy.

These locations would make beautiful sites for building summer homes if properly developed.

The first land was acquired through the efforts of Dr. William E. McNamara, from the Fiborn Land company, through it's representative, a Mr. Rose. This land included an area on Millecoquins Lake known as Idlewild Resort, which included five cabins. This was near our present warehouse.

Natural limestone - taken from the Club's Quarries, rough hewn logs, and other natural materials went into the interiors and exteriors of the buildings.

By April 1930, approximately 500 memberships had been sold. Construction was about to begin on the first 25 cabins.

To reach the Club by car from lower Michigan, one had to cross the Straits of Mackinac on the railroad ferry, Chief Wawatan, then travel on dirt roads from St. Ignace on old U.S. 2, now known as the Hiawatha Trail, to the Club.

Hard times were endured through the 1932 - 1934 Depression. As time passed and the economy became better, we broke Attendance Records in 1941.

1943 we experienced our worst forest fire. Forty men fought the fire for several days. After two rains, the fire was out, but only after burning over three hundred acres.

Some highlights from "Our First Fifty Years"

For a full account of the Club's History please ask about our book: "Our First Fifty Years"

1951 Lake Michigan Floods Beach

1954 Nature Study Formalized

1957 Our first Trout Pond

1958 Hurrah for the Big Mac & Dial Phones!

1965 New Home for Nature Study Society

1969 Snowmobiling Added To Winter Sports

1970 Naubinway Centennial

1975 Hiawatha Trial Blazers

1976 Membership Closed

Historical Pageant of Hiawatha Sportsman's Club 1927-1952
Written by Mrs. Richardson and Miss Hazel Stratton

Members and friends of the Hiawatha Club
Assembled here to celebrate
May we review some past history
On this, our twenty-fifth anniversary date?

We've roamed in Hiawatha Land
Since nineteen hundred twenty-seven
To each and every one of us
It's seemed a little bit of heaven.