Station: Sparr, MI

Sparr was created around 1913 with the building of the eastern extension of the Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena railroad. It was located about five miles east of Gaylord and was named after Phillip Sparr who settled in the area in 1873. [MPN]

Photo Info: Top, the general store in Sparr in 2003. [Dale Berry]

Notes

According to Ghost Towns of Michigan Vol. II, the railroad had a switch yard at the town for loading 32" drums of "chemical wood" which was used to make alcohol, turpentine and other wood by-products at a plant in Gaylord. Logging in the area was performed by Salling Hansen Lumber Company at "Camp 54". 

Sparr had a saw mill, blacksmith shop and saloon. The Sparr area also had potato farms, loading 156 car loads per year in the early 1930's. Sparr was occasionally used as a meeting point for trains of the BCG&A. The small town began its decline in the early 1930's with the closure of the BCG&A.

Time Line