Trail Overview
Camp 11 Truck Road is a non-DNR road with an unspecified owner. The surface consists of dirt and native material, and the overall condition is considered fair. Since it is not a DNR road, ORV use is subject to local government laws. The road remains open under the current closure criteria. Tower Road is a county-owned, non-DNR road with a gravel surface and a fair overall condition. It is a maintained seasonal road that provides access to Camp 11 Creek, the Little Brook River, Cady Creek, Cady Lake, and Kemp Lake. Since it is not a DNR road, ORV use follows local government laws. The road remains open under the current closure criteria.
History
Gwinn, MI, was established by the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company (C.C.I.) around 1906 as a planned "model town" for its miners. The community was named after William Gwinn Mather's mother, and built on land with no iron deposits to avoid future mining conflicts. After the mining era, the K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base was developed in 1956, leading to a transition from a mining town to a modern community.
Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company: The town's origin is tied to the C.C.I.'s acquisition of property in the area in 1902.
Model Town: In 1907, the president of C.C.I., William Gwinn Mather, decided to build a town for his miners, selecting a site that was intentionally free of iron ore to prevent conflicts.
Planned Community: The town was a planned community, designed before its construction by Warren H. Manning, a noted architect hired by Mather.
Thriving Mining Town: Gwinn became a thriving mining center for the Swanzy Range, which had seven operating mines.
K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base: In 1956, the K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base was developed, making the area a joint civil-military facility and contributing to a shift away from mining.
