Onaway State Park

Story

Onaway State Park is a 158acre state park in Presque Isle County, Michigan at the end of M-211 on Black Lake in North Allis Township 5 miles north of Onaway.Onaway State Park is one of Michigan's oldest state parks, having been dedicated in 1921. It contains sand cobblestone beaches, large rock outcroppings, a campground, and a nature trail highlighting a diversity of trees.HistoryIn 1919, Michigan created the created the Michigan State Park Commission to acquire lands for state parks. In 1920, Presque Isle County deeded 150 acres of land to the state for this purpose. The acreage included a city park then known as "The Indian Orchard" and some surrounding private lands. In 1921, the state began developing the park, adding two small bathhouses and toilet facilities to the picnic pavilion already in place. The two existing farmhouses were remodeled for use as a park store and manager's residence. In 1924 an entranceway and campgrounds were installed, and in 1927 a campground loop road was installed. A new residence was constructed after the original one burned in 1931.In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established a camp at Black Lake, with 15 men assigned to Onaway State Park. They regraded the entrance road and installed a foot trail, and the next year began excavation of a basement for the already existing pavilion. 1935 and 1936, a one hundred space parking area was created and of a stone campground toilet, designed by Ralph B. Herrick, was erected. In 1937 the pavilion was remodeled (also to a design by Ralph B. Herrick) and stone shelters added. In 1942 the campground was expanded.