Historic Michigan Town of Crawford Reduced to Single Remaining Building
The former town of Crawford, Michigan, originally settled in 1863, has largely vanished, with only one building remaining as evidence of its past existence. Located 6.5 miles south of Mount Pleasant, Crawford became a post office station in 1877 and developed with a general store, steam sawmill, and shoemaker. Its population peaked at 37 residents in 1884. However, the town's progress was hindered by its distance from the nearest railroad depot, which was eleven miles away, and the closure of its post office in 1903. By 1910, the population had dwindled to 25, leading to the eventual departure of most residents, leaving only a few farmhouse families in the surrounding countryside. The sole remaining structure stands on the corner of S. Crawford and E. Blanchard Roads, five miles west of Shepherd, serving as a solitary reminder of the once-established community.
