Mason County Lumber Heritage Trail: Dive Into History at 10+ Sites In Ludington

We’ve already shared our love for Mason County Heritage Trails in our posts about the Mason County Sculpture Trail and the Mason County Barn Quilt Trail, and today we return to take a look at the Mason County Lumber Heritage Trail. The development of Ludington and the surrounding area was deeply tied to a booming lumber industry and this trail explores cemeteries where lumber barons are buried, the massive mansions lumber barons lived in, a historical museum complex, and more. Like the other trails, the Lumber Heritage Trail has a phone connected app (dial 231-480-3084 and enter the stop number, or scan the QR code on the sign) that helps guide visitors through their journey while providing historical facts and stories.

According to the Visit Ludington website this trail invites you to: “Experience what life may have been like in the late 1800’s when the lumber economy was booming. At one time, there were 14 mills along Pere Marquette Lake with numerous smaller villages dedicated to the hundreds of workers who were employed by the mills. Huge amounts of lumber were manufactured and and shipped out to larger cities like Chicago and Milwaukee.” Below you will find a list of the sites on the tour and some of our pictures from the sites we have been able to visit. As some of the houses listed on the tour are private residences or active bed and breakfasts, visitors are asked to park on side streets and to remain at a respectful distance when visiting. A further note for the homes listed on Ludington Ave. is that parking is not permitted on that street, so please use Emily St., Lavinia St., or Delia St.

Stops 100-106 are at Lakeview Cemetery (906 N. Lakeshore Drive)
Stop 107  – Edward Stanchfield & Frank Filer Residence (201 N. Gaylord Ave.)
Stop 108 – Lumbering Sculpture at Waterfront Park
Stop 109 – Warren Cartier Residence (409 E. Ludington Ave.)
Stop 110 – Marshall Butters (412 E. Ludington Ave.)
Stop 111 – Antoine Cartier Residence (501 E. Ludington Ave.)
Stop 112 – Emery Weimer Residence (510 E. Ludington Ave.)
Stop 113 – W.T. Culver Residence (701 E. Ludington Ave.)
Stop 114 – James Foley Residence (702 E. Ludington Ave.)
Stop 115 – Daniel Goodenough Residence (706 E. Ludington Ave.)
Stop 116 – John Joyce Residence (201 S. Washington Ave.)
Stop 117 – Milton Ward Residence (309 S. Washington Ave.)
Stops 118-120 are at Pere Marquette Cemetery (5884 W. 6th St.)
Stops 121-138 are at the Mason County Lumber Museum at Historic White Pine Village (1687 S. Lakeshore Dr.)**
**admission fee required to enter Historic White Pine Village