I am proud to
call Rose City my home town, I have resided here since 1986. It is a small town
that extends a hearty welcome to all newcomers. where friendly neighbors make
you feel like you've lived here all your life.
We have a very
highly rated Elementary, and Middle School, grades 9 thru 12 attend Ogemaw
Heights High School, which is seven miles to the south of Rose City.
We have a
Library, A Doctor Office, 2 Banks, 2 Motels, a Bowling Alley, Auto Dealer, Drug
Store, 2 Hardware & Lumber stores, Glens Super Market, 2 Gas Stations, Barber
Shops, Hair Salon, 5 Restaurants, and 3 Bar & Grills, 2 Pizza Parlor, 1 Auto
Part, 1 Carpet Outlet, 4 Churches, Numerous Manufacturers, A Funeral Home,
Recreational Vehicle Outlet, Video Rentals, Furniture Restoration Store, 2
Insurance Agencies, Rose City Greenhouse and Nursery, Chiropractor, Real Estate,
Laundromat, A Dairy Queen, McDonalds, Seed & Feed, Dollar Store, 2 Car Washes
and a Nursing Facility. I have probably left some out, although not on purpose.
Dairy farming
is the main agriculture enterprise, with several large operations surrounding
the town.
Rose City is
also the gateway to the Rifle River Recreation Area, and is bordered by
thousands of acres of State Forest.
Approaching Town From South
Rose City Water Tower
Main St. Looking East
Click On Photo To Enlarge
Harry and the Rifle
Thousands enjoy the Rifle River Recreation Area,
just a few miles east of Rose City. Most drive to get there, and there's the
connection between Harry Jewett, the Recreation Area and the river named the
Rifle. Harry once built a car, called the Jewett, strictly because he saw a need
to leave the cement jungle of the cities to enjoy nature. He drove that tough
car into the rolling hills of Ogemaw County, bought and developed a game farm he
named Grousehaven. Harry Jewett is listed in most literature as an automotive
pioneer, but he was far more than that. He went to Notre Dame and played on the
famed university's first football team, scoring the first Notre Dame touchdown
ever against Michigan! He lettered in every sport at Notre Dame and later held
the world record for the 220-yard dash, and the American record in the100-yard
dash. His athletic prowess at Notre Dame caught the eye of Detroit Athletic Club
officials, and through that connection, Harry ended up in Michigan. Harry didn't
get involved with automobiles until he'd been a railroad man, then learned the
coal business from the mines up.. Harry was the first man to haul out- of-state
coal into Michigan, using his knowledge of trains and mines to earn a fortune.
It was part of that money which went into the Paige Car Company, When he
acquired enough knowledge of cars, he built a tough car for the tough roads of
the 20s. The Jewett Car Company was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Paige Car
Company. Harry, in his Jewett automobile fell in love with Ogemaw County and
acquired several thousand acres of land, including lakes and spent over a
quarter of a million dollars in roads, buildings and on the highest ridge in the
lower peninsula, built his lodge. It was built of logs, two-story living and
dining room with a huge fireplace. Steam heat and electric lights kept Harry and
his guests comfortable and the view of four lakes was magnificent. Jewett had
local farmers in for barbecues, a harvest dance and Jack Miner of Canadian Goose
fame gave lectures on game preservation. Harry stocked local waters with fish,
raised thousands of pheasants, and - gazing out over the lush beauty of this
area - hatched the idea of selling the Paige Car Company to the Graham Brothers.
The Graham-Paige was born in 1927. Harry's obituary in 1933 named the founding
of the Paige Car Company as his finest achievement. Visit the Rifle River
Recreation area, and talk to some of the campers, swimmers, sportsmen, cruise or
walk the scenic roads and you'll know that obit was wrong. Harry Jewett's legacy
lives on in the smiles and laughter of all those who enjoy the wonders of nature
on the land once known as Grousehaven ... the Rifle River Recreation Area. Harry
loved to hunt and he loved the land around a river named the Rifle.
My thanks to Donald K. Lewis
for sending me this article.
Approaching Town From South
Rose City Water Tower
Main St. Looking East
