Michigan's Dead Man's Hill

There's a hill in Antrim County, a place of beauty to see. Not well known is the story, how Dead Man's Hill was named by history.

 Over-looking Jordan Valley, in the state of Michigan,
 Dead Man's Hill is now a legend that began in 1910.
 Stanley Graczyk was a teamster, a lad of twenty-one,
 Engaged to marry, life for him had just begun.
 On the "Big Wheels" he had painted, his nickname, "Big Sam",
 Little did he know then, they'd soon be the death of him.

When he went to work that morning, on the 20th of May, no one had the slightest warning, this would be "Big Sam's last day.  With a load of logs he started down that steep and narrow trail, with a log drag behind to slow them, yet he fell beneath the wheel.

In Elmira's St. Thomas’s Churchyard, "Big Sam" is sleeping still,
 The scene of his death, now they call it Dead Man's Hill.
 Many people come to see it, Oh! How pretty they exclaim,
 But Big Sam's Grave is not thought of, and not many know his name.
 
 By John S Tipton.

 

 

Dead Man's Hill

The Jordan River Valley is below us here and was the site of several fatal accidents during the early logging days.

This is a stunning view that is very easy to miss.  Even locals who have lived here for years are often unaware of this spot.

Just a few miles north of Kalkaska on Route 66 you will see a small brown sign alerting you that the hill is to the west.

Take that road to the end and park.  Walk up a trail just a few yards and you are there.  An historical marker is on site.

The Jordan River Valley Trail runs through this region and actually comes up to about the bottom of the hill pictured here.

Our favorite towns in this region include Bellaire and Central Lake.