Station: Gogebic Station, MI

Gogebic Station was on the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western railroad (later C&NW) in 1885. It was located 12 miles east of Marenisco and about five miles south of Lake Gogebic. The name was shortened in 1894. [MPN]

This townsite was apparently a rural stop for those wishing to vacation and hunt at Lake Gogebic. An 1885 edition of the Detroit Free Press describes the road (trail) from the station to the lake as "absolutely wild" with wildlife abounding but it was wide enough for a stage coach or wagon. Located in a "stately forest", travelers would "roll along, bumpety-bump in the omnibus over the roughest road for five miles that ever was cussed in mortal life". [DFP-1885-0906]

Notes

This townsite should not be confused with Lake Gogebic Station in Ontonagon County on the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic railroad on the north side of the lake. Click here to see Lake Gogebic.

A forest branch line left the C&NW here and went north nine miles to Boonsville. The CCC also had a camp near Gogebic Station in the early 1930's.

Longitude/Latitude: 46.352193, -89.502810

Time Line

1889. September 1. A stage coach plying the road between the Gogebic station (on the MLS&W) and a summer resort hotel on Gogebic Lake was robbed. The last stage coach left the hotel with a party of four men who had been spending several weeks there. About 11:30 am as the stage was dragging lazily along the road, its driver was startled by a command to "hang on to the reins and not to make a single move at the peril of your life." There in front of him was the stage robber wearing a slouch hat and holding two immense revolvers, which he pointed at the driver. One of the passengers adopted a trick to throw the robber off his guard. He had a considerable amount of money on his person and did not want it taken from him. When the highwayman extended a general invitation to "cash in", he put his hand into his coat pocket presumably to get a pocket book, but really to get his revolver. He drew it and commenced firing at the robber, who stood his ground and returned fire.

The horses dashed away at a rapid rate but the robber continued to empty his revolvers at the men in the coach. Mr. Fleeschbein rose up and received a 44-caliber bullet in his hip. At the same time the coach gave a lurch and he was thrown forward in the roadway. Banker Mackachar also fell a victim to the robber's murderous weapons. He received two bullet wounds - one in the left side of the head and another in the leg.

The robber pounced upon his helpless victim in the roadway, shoved a pistol in his face and threatened to finish him then and there. Fleeschbein pleaded for his life and the robber, after going through his pockets, getting about $40 in money, a watch and chain and a ring, left him lying bleeding and helpless in the road. He lay there nearly three hours before the arrival of assistance, then was taken to Bessemer, where he was put into a hospital and his wounds cared for; but he had bled so much that his strength was sapped and he died that night, having first furnished a good description of the highwayman. Mr. Mackarchar was taken to Minneapolis where he is recovering.

As soon as the news of the robbery reached Ashland, Sheriff Foley and a posse started in pursuit. They were soon joined by a mob under Judge Lynch. A pack of bloodhounds with their Indian trainers were also brought into requisition. All avenues of escape were cut off and a systematic manhunt was begun. The man, Reimund Holzbay, was captured and arrested in Republic by the village marshal, assisted by E. Weiser, a justice of the peace. He was registered at the Republic Hotel and was recognized by the son of the proprietor. The man was on the way to the DSS&A depot and was confronted. He pulled a gun from his pocket which was grasped by the marshal. The man drew a second revolver with his left hand, but the officer succeeded in hitting him over the head with his "billy" before he could shoot. He was taken to the county jail in Marquette aboard the noon train. [DFP-1889-0901]

1906. July 14. Two men bought tickets here for Chicago, after they killed a man near Marenisco. [BHN-1906-0714]

1912. The C&NW says they will abandon the station at Gogebic Station and operations will be moved to the village of Marenisco. [BHN-1962-0308]

1912. There was "agitation" to change the name of Marenisco to Gogebic, with the C&NW making plans to drop Gogebic Station in favor of Marenisco. It was the agitator's contention that because of advertising the name Gogebic was more widely known. [IWT-1942-0304] [Note: The name was not changed].

1916. December 2. Exploratory work is done on an iron ore deposit along the C&NW, a short distance east of Gogebic station. Some ore was found and drilling was done on the property. Fifteen tons of ore were shipped to a furnace company at Minneapolis for a trial. [DD-1916-0714]

1917. There was no agent or operator at this station in 1917, according to the C&NW telegraphers agreement. [TRT-1917]

1920. December 18. Edward Bakken of Ashland sells land to the William Boniface Lumber company of Escanaba, of the W 1/2 of SE 1/4, and the SE 1/4 of section 22, T47 R41for $3,000. This is several miles southeast of Gogebic Station. [IDG-192--1218]

1922. March 3. The train coming from Watersmeet was one-half hour late because it became stalled in a snow drift east of Gogebic Station. This week, although the trains have been generally late, they have been carrying mail. Freight service has also been restored and the big snow storm has about lost its grip on this section. [BHN-1922-0303]

1923. Vernon Kanouse, of Gogebic Station has installed a radio receiving outfit in his home with splendid success. [IDG-1923-0407]

1926. April 15. The highway department notes that State line (road) No. 12 between Gogebic Station and Watersmeet is impassible, and M-28 between Ewen and Bergland cannot be negotiated by automobiles. All roads leading from Gogebic county to Iron River, Marquette and Houghton are impassable, but it is possible to reach Ontonagon by automobile. [IDG-1928-0415]

1926. The Bessemer Taxi Company provides round trip bus service between Ironwood and Iron River, with a stop at Gogebic Station. [IDG-1926-0518]

1933. 300 men are fighting forest fires near Gogebic Station. [IDG-1933-1230]

1936. Four persons were arrested by sheriff's officers and state police for prostitution. Eino Wirtanen, known as "Jumbo" was charged with keeping a disorderly house here. Police said he had a portable house. His wife Rita, was charged with selling whiskey without a license. Seven quarts were seized from the cabin on wheels. George Biller was charged with vagrancy and his wife Dorothy, known to lumberjacks as "Peanuts", was charged with being a prostitute. The couples operated in the vicinity of Gogebic Station and Wirtanen has operated establishments in Marenisco and Land O' Lakes in the past. [IDG-1936-0219]

1936. The logging camp of Victor Ahonen, 3 miles south of Gogebic Station, was destroyed by fire yesterday. Loss is estimated at $1,800. The fire started in the bunkhouse, a 30x80 foot log structure. 25 men were employed there. Ahonen is a jobber for the Marathon Paper Mills Co. [IDG-1936-0229]

1937. A strike is called by employees at the William Bonifas Lumber Co. near Gogebic Station and has spread to all camps operated by jobbers for the Marathon Paper Mills Co. Sheriff MacFarlane has assigned three deputy sheriffs to the community for duty. One business in Marenisco locked its doors yesterday, admitting persons one at a time, because of the influx of woodsmen, some of whom seemed to be in an ugly mood. [IDG-1937-0520]