Curran, Michigan
The "Black Bear Capital of the World".
Curran
is a small town on M-65 in western Alcona County. It lies at the
center of Mitchell Township, geographically the largest township –
144 square miles – in Alcona County, but with the smallest
population in the county – less than 500 people. Curran began as a
lumber camp built in 1875 by Phillip Curran. The area was logged
until the 1920s when the large stands of white pine were exhausted.
Throughout the area the stumps of the giant pines can be seen in the
woods, often still charred by the fires that swept through the area
in the early 1900s.
Farms, raising cattle and hay, are scattered through the area. There
are two restaurants, two churches, a gas station/convenience store
and several residences spread along M-65 south of the northern
intersection with M-72. It is also the home of the Black Bear
Festival.
South of Curran are the Hoist Lakes Foot Travel Area and Reid Lake
Foot Travel Area. Hoist Lakes is an area of 10,600 acres set aside
for backcountry recreational activities such as hiking, backpacking,
bird watching, cross-country skiing, hunting, fishing and nature
study. There are over 20 miles of trails through the area. The
trails are designed with the more experienced cross-country skier in
mind. The area is ideal for backpacking trips from two days to one
week.
The Reid Lake Foot Travel Area is about 3,000 acres. There are about
six miles of gentle, rolling trails that lead around Reid Lake, once
part of a farm. The trails are ideal for spending a few hours in the
forest without too much physical challenge. The trails are a good
match for beginning skiers.
North and west of Curran are Crooked Lake and McCollum lakes, both
of which have public access for boaters and fishermen. Much of the
land immediately surrounding and north of Curran consists of farms
and larger parcels of hunting land belonging to individuals and
hunting clubs.
The most important local event is the Annual March of Dimes Auction
that has been held in the township hall for over 50 years on the
last Saturday in January.
Like many small towns in northern Michigan, Curran is a humble place
but one that continues to serve as a center for families that have
been here for three or four generations.