History...the Logging Era to Gerber Baby Food

It was in 1855
that a large-scale
immigration to
Newaygo County
first started.

People moved here because of the unbroken forests and the surrounding communities grew out of the lumber industry.

Prior to that time this area was inhabited by Indians, wild animals and a few white trappers. A great read in preparation for your trip to Newaygo County is the book Images of America, Newaygo County 1850-1920. It is a delightful time capsule of early photographs of the logging settlements in Newaygo County and the people who first settled here. Some of these encampments thrived and are the towns we know today; others vanished like the trees that were floated down the rivers.

Author Sandy Vincent, genealogist and historian at the Fremont Area District Library writes in her book that “Pioneers in Newaygo County were motivated by the call of adventure and a chance to make a fortune in the vast wilderness. First settlers came to lumber the virgin white pine that grew in Newaygo forests. As early as 1837, Newaygo loggers were floating logs to market.” Browsing through the pages their stories come alive as you view the wonderful photographic images, post cards and read interesting tidbits about our local history.  

Newaygo County lumber was used to rebuild Chicago after the great fire of 1871 and Big Prairie was unique in that it became a dust bowl from all of the clear cutting and established a unique desert in West Michigan.

Many communities became established based on the location of the saw mills and mill ponds. There were many family's who ran saw mills including the Gerber family way before they first began making baby food.

Images of America was published to help create awareness about the Historical Society. Many friends and members of the Newaygo County Society of History and Genealogy helped preserve and share the photographs and stories by working with the author, Sandy Vincent. You can stop by the Fremont area District Library and visit with Sandy to learn more about our areas history.  The White Cloud Public Library along with the Grant Area District Library and Newaygo Area District Library offer more historical perspective while providing a good place to use a computer while you are in town. You will also find good books to read as you curl up by a cozy fireplace in your cabin or enjoy the view from an Adirondack chair at the lake.

It was after the turn of the century, at the residence of Daniel and Dorothy Gerber in Fremont, Michigan that "it all began". It was in the kitchen of their home, sometime around 1927, where the the idea for Gerber Baby Food began. You may read more about "The Beginning" at the official Gerber Products web site. In 1955 the family moved to a larger home on Fremont Lake and the former residence was operated as place for Gerber Employees and Guest to stay. The Gerber Guest House is now a Bed & Breakfast where you can stay overnight or take a historical tour.

Historical Festivals:

• National Baby Food Festival
• Grant Frontier Days
  
• Newaygo Logging Festival
  
• White Cloud Pow Wow

Currently the Newaygo County Historical Museum, which exhibits the best artifacts of the cultural history of Newaygo County, Michigan, is being renovated.  Watch for the re-opening of this gem located in a historic powerhouse building in the River Front Park along the Muskegon River. The museum spans history from the Hopewell Indians to post Vietnam-era artifacts; it is truly a unique collection. You will be surprised by the amount of history and artifacts in one building.

You can read more history and stories about Newaygo County in our free Visitors Guide available for download now in Adobe Acrobat Reader Format.