Only a few photos remain of the sawmill which some of which are here thanks to Omena Historical Society.
The definition of old-growth or primeval forest is one that “has attained great age without significant disturbance”. Do we have any old-growth forests in Omena? Actually yes, we do, according to Chris Verdery, our local forestry expert.
There is a 300 year old White Ash tree, the oldest in Michigan, in Omena Woods that families have had their photos taken with for generations, the children growing along with the tree. And there are several 300 year old Sugar Maples along the trail directly across from OTYC driveway, says Chris.
The 1880-1899 lumberjack photo is thanks to Mlive.com.
Other areas were selectively cut and have regrown. Some areas, like the area below then Hotel Leelanau along Omena Heights Road, were clear cut in 1884 so the hotel guests could have an unobstructed view of the water. Others, like 20 acres across from Fire Lane 4 and the Pavilion resort dock on Omena Bay up to the Smith Orchard, were bought up by John Santo in 1919 to keep it from being lumbered.
In 1904 Joseph Kalchik became the owner of the only permanent sawmill in the area located two miles west of Omena. He employed ten men and must have done a thriving business until the sawmill burned down in 1907.