Laying Corner Stone July 4th 1908
In a long-standing feud with the neighboring town of Rogers City, Michigan, the Presque Isle County Courthouse was constructed in 1909 in Onaway, Michigan, with hopes of stealing the county seat.6 The cornerstone was laid on July 4th, 1908 which included a time capsule left by Mayor C.W. Bahel. Merritt Chandler donated the building to be used as a courthouse, he was responsible for platting Onaway in 1886. He also was one of Onaway's first politicians. Chandler had dreamed of Onaway being a city that was clean, where no drink would be sold and everyone would be at peace with their neighbors.4 These wants for the city of Onaway come from Chandler's Quaker beliefs. Onaway had reached its peak population of 3,000 due to a lumber boom and various factory employment. A push for the county seat to be moved was very relevant and needed. By 1911 Chandler had exhausted all efforts in moving the county seat, so he tried to create his own county; Forest County. 5 His efforts failed, a compromise was struck up and court was held in session in both Rogers City and Onaway courthouses until 1946.
By the 1990's the courthouse was in disrepair and had served various functions over the last 90 years. There was no heat or electricity, which made the use of the courthouse only seasonal due to cold Northern Michigan weather. After extensive repairs and renovations, the courthouse serves as the office of the City of Onaway, the Onaway Branch of the Presque Isle County Library, The Onaway Area Chamber of Congress, and the Onaway Area Historical Museum which are all housed in the two lower levels. The courthouse was added as a state historical site on May 22, 1978 and to the national register of historic sites on April 3, 1980.
Reference Works
1. Courthouse History. (2016). Onaway, Built in 1907 as an alternative courthouse site but never used, Arch- Merritt Chandler [Color Postcard with crease]. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from http://courthousehistory.com/gallery/states/michigan/counties/presque-isle
2. Courthouse History. (2016). Onaway, Built in 1907 as an alternative courthouse site but never used, Arch-Merritt Chandler [Sepia tone photo- no clock present]. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from http://courthousehistory.com/gallery/states/michigan/counties/presque-isle
3. Courthouse History. (2016). Onaway, Built in 1907 as an alternative courthouse site but never used, Arch-Merritt Chandler [New color photo with renovations complete]. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from http;//courthousehistory.com/gallery/states/michigan/counties/presque-isle
4. Editor. (2008, June 20). Cornerstone Ceremony a celebration of historic Onaway Courthouse. Presque Isle County Advance. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from http://demo.piadvance.com/2008/06/cornerstone-ceremony-a-celebration-of-historic-onaway-courthouse/
5. Lamb, R. (1999, July). The History of Onaway-The First 50 Years. Onaway Outlook, pp. 1-5. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from http://www.rainy-river.com/museum/history.html
6. Onaway Historical Society. (n.d.). Laying Corner Stone [Digital image]. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from http://www.rainy-river.com/museum/pictures.html
