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Cadillac News - DNR 100 Years 2019
Cadillac News - DNR 100 Years 2019
Almost 100 years ago, the Michigan State Park Commission set the course for visitors to enjoy
and explore four seasons of fun. May 12, 2019 officially marks the anniversary of state parks.
History of the
Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center
By Mardi Suhs nual free fishing weekend is popular as well. mounts at the center include a full-size Michigan elk,
Cadillac News The center includes both archery and pellet gun rang- black bear, turkey, ducks, bobcats, coyotes, wolves, and
es and offers scheduled shooting programs throughout all kinds of fish.
In 1992, the DNR expanded the Mitchell State Park the summer. They also provide group tours and guided While the DNR does have statewide programs, in-
in Cadillac to include a new, one-of-a-kind education- hikes through the 2.5-mile Heritage Nature Trail leading cluding the Outdoor Skills Academy, the purpose of the
al center dedicated to hunting and fishing. The Carl T. through the woodland and heritage marsh. hunting and fishing center was to get new generations
Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center was built on the In addition to the auditorium where classes are held, involved.
previous site of a popular World War II era roller rink an exhibit hall displays a conservation time line that re- The center was constructed by the DNR with financial
and later, a sixties dance hall. The property is located veals the rise of sportsmen and women and their contri- assistance from privation donations and from the Rotary
across from the park on a canal that connects Lake Ca- butions to more than 150 years of Michigan history. The Club of Cadillac Foundation.
dillac to Lake Mitchell.
At the dedication ceremony, the center’s 81-year-old
namesake was present. Carl T. Johnson, an avid bear
hunter and the founder of the Michigan Conservation
Foundation, had always envisioned a facility where the
public could learn how to hunt responsibility. He lived
17 more years, long enough to watch his dream unfold
and flourish.
In 2017, the center celebrated its 25th anniversary and
reported on its’ success. About 50-100 students on av-
erage fill its museum and walking trails every weekday
throughout May and June on school field trips. During
the busy season from July 4 through the end of August,
the center hosts 1,200-1,500 and more people every week.
In addition, the center promotes conservation through
outdoor education and hands-on experience. A sampling
of the most popular class offerings include fly-tying, wa-
terfowl hunting, hunting and fishing tips, snowshoeing
events, bear hunting clinics, a lecture on how climate
change effects wild life and ice fishing seminars. The an-
PIECE OF PARADISE!
factor in this development. John and Horace Dodge fore- In July 1943, Compton was at the general store in
saw this condition, and I am sure, if they could express Otsego Lake with his family when a panicked Robert
themselves today, the present action of your board of di- Oppenheimer called him. They had a problem. Op-
north MiSSaukee rectors would receive their hearty approval. penheimer, who was a collaborator, wanted to discuss
MLS# 201800647 $89,000 “…I agree with you that the recreational needs, particu- an urgent matter with Compton, but in person. Since
• 28x48 pole barn with electric larly of our urban dwellers, are largely met by the estab- they were working on a top-secret project, the scien-
• 12x24 addition setup lishment of such parks as this fine gift of Dodge Brothers
for sleeping quarters tists were not allowed air travel. So, Oppenheimer took
• 15+ wooded acres Inc., has made possible.” a train to Michigan. Compton picked him up from the
for recreation use Today some of the Dodge brothers’ parks have been train station and the two men drove to Otsego Lake
• State land and trails just combined with more acquired space to make bigger parks.
1/4 mile away
State Park where they walked on the beach and talked
Dodge Park 4 in Oakland County is one of the original about the problem at hand: could testing the atomic
donated parks. bomb set off a chain reaction that would destroy the
cadiLLac weSt
world?
MLS# 21124938 $92,399
Scientists working on the bomb had discovered nu-
• Seasonal business opportunity
• Ice cream shop w/good
business history
Pizza, Wings, clear fusion – the principle of the hydrogen bomb. In
creating the bomb, scientists were afraid that it would
• All equipment is included in sale
• Located at intersection of 2 main
Subs, Salad cause the explosion of hydrogen and nitrogen in the air,
highways
• Across from Mitchell State Park
& more with unknown, potentially disastrous consequences.
While this was a very real fear, Compton asked Op-
penheimer and the other scientists to go ahead and
At the Northern Exposure complete the calculations. In fact, over the next three
Whitetail Campground & RV Park
285 Manistee River Dr., Mesick
months, Compton asserted that should the chances
of an atomic explosion destroying the world exceed
Realty www.NorthernExposureInc.com
Charles Maidens, Park Director
3 in a million, the whole project would be called off.
Calculations revealed a smaller risk and so the project
231-839-8142 • 101 S. Main St., Lake City, MI continued. In July 1945, the first bomb tests were con-
www.lakecitymirealestate.com (231) 885-1199 ducted successfully in New Mexico and, as we know,
www.lakemissaukeerealestate.com
the world did not end.
Thursday, May 9, 2019 | www.cadillacnews.com Cadillac News - DNR - Michigan 100 Years 3
Unidentified State Park
1929 Palms Book State Park 1975 Fisherman’s Island State Park
1943 Waterloo Recreation Area 1989 Old Mission Peninsula State Park
Yankee Springs Recreation Area 1991 Lakelands Trail State Park
1944 Bald Mountain Recreation Area 1992 Agate Falls Scenic Site
Brighton Recreation Area Bond Falls Scenic Site
Highland Recreation Area
Holly Recreation Area 1993 Bass River Recreation Area
Island Lake Recreation Area
Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area 1994 Van Buren Trail State Park
Ortonville Recreation Area 1996 White Pine Trail State Park (renamed
Courtesy Archives of Michigan Pinckney Recreation Area Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park in 2006)
Pontiac Lake Recreation Area
Fayette State Park 2004 Tri-Centennial State Park (renamed
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
William G. Milliken State Park & Harbor in 2009)
Proud Lake Recreation Area
1946 Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park 2007 Tippy Dam Recreation Area
1947 Tahquamenon Falls State Park 2011 Lime Island State Recreation Area
1949 Warren Woods Natural Area 2012 Menominee River State Recreation Area
Rockport State Recreation Area
1955 Port Crescent State Park
2014 Belle Isle Park
1956 Muskallonge Lake State Park
Van Riper State Park 2016 Watkins Lake State Park & County Preserve
65
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