Floyd Earl McRae Pellston History Photographic Collection

The bulk of the photographs in the Floyd Earl McRae Pellston History Photographic Collection were gathered by Floyd Earl McRae. A few of the photographs are from the photo albums of Ruby Carpenter McRae and Vada F. McRae Hayes.

Floyd Earl McRae was born the son of George F. McRae and Edna Brown McRae in Bellaire, Michigan on December 16, 1902. The family soon moved to Pellston. George was a company man and worked for the Jackson and Tindle Co. for 40 years, spending 26 years as Superintendent of the Mills and Yards in Pellston. George also served many years as the Village President, Maple River Township Supervisor, and in several other capacities.

This collection represents one family’s experience of growing up and living in a boom town in northern Michigan in an era when the lumbering industry offered many jobs in the wilderness. The industry allowed families, homes, churches, schools, small businesses, community life, and the newspapers that covered it all to flourish.

See the finding aid for the collection to learn more about the collection, the McRae family, and their role in the community.