Hungerford 1876 - 1906

by Terry E. Wantz
 
Hungerford was another lumbering town, which established a post office for the lumberman on May 3rd., 1876, with George French as Postmaster. The settlement began as a lumber camp in the early 1870’s, receiving its name from its position on the southwest corner of Hungerford Lake. At one time the hamlet had three saw mills, a grocey store, a feed mill, hotel and a drug store. The former stage coach road passed through the settlement. The office closed on May 14th., 1906, with George W. Reickmann being the Postmaster. Hungerford was located on the Muskegon and Big Rapids Railroad, later called The Chicago and West Michigan Railroad, in section 15 of Norwich Township, between Woodville and Big Rapids. When the office closed the mail went to the Woodville Post Office. The area is now a R. F. D. route out of the Big Rapids Post Office.