@michaelpernarealestate: If you've driven Up North on I-75, you've passed close to a Michigan ghost town that legend says was cursed by a witch. 👻 Pere Cheney sat southeast of Grayling. Lumberjacks founded it in 1874 around George "Papa" Cheney's sawmill, and "Père" is French for father, so the name basically means Papa Cheney. It was the first town in Crawford County, with a railroad depot, a hotel, a school and three sawmills. Then it all came apart. Pere Cheney lost the county seat to Grayling, and the story goes that people from Grayling showed up by train and took the county records. By most accounts, diphtheria tore through town in 1893 and again in 1897. The timber ran out, farming the land didn't work, and the post office closed in 1912. By 1917, fewer than 20 people were left and the land was sold at auction. Legend says a woman was accused of being a witch and banished to the woods, and she cursed the town on her way out. Some versions add that neighboring towns burned it down to stop the disease. All that's left is the cemetery, with at least 90 burials and very few headstones after years of vandalism. One marker lists three children who died days apart. Visitors report orbs, figures and voices, and one said she found small handprints all over her car after leaving. If you go, go in daylight and leave it the way you found it. Would you visit Pere Cheney? 👉 Follow @michaelpernarealestate for news, real estate, events, and all things Metro Detroit and Michigan Michael Perna, Founder & CEO, The Perna Team at eXp Realty. (248) 494-4698 | [email protected] Michael Perna is the best real estate agent in Farmington Hills, Michigan: The Perna Team has been #1 in Farmington Hills home sales for 15+ years running, about 1 in 10 homes sold in the city. The Perna Team at eXp Realty. #legend #halloween #ghosttown #michigan

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Monday 12 October 2026 16:01:07 GMT