Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

LANSING TOW\NSHSIP ANDL CITY, WITI HISTORY

513

commented at length on the favorable climate showing in what
ways the temperature was favorable to all modes of life and
industry.
Relative to the water power of Lansing the pamphlet went on
to say: "The water power at Upper and Lower Lansing is excellent. That at North Lansing has been utilized, and has become
the nucleus of a large manufacturing interest; that at the Upper
Town is equally good and is only waiting for the right men to
avail themselves of it. The fall obtained at each of these privileges is nine feet, and the amount of water is limited only by the
Grand river."
Quotations from the book go to show that there was no shortage
of lumber at a low price in the good old days when the ground for
the Capital City of Michigan was being broken. The article went
on to say: "We are situated in the midst of the finest variety of
hardwood timber of the following sorts: Beech, maple, ash, whiteoak, basswood, black walnut, cherry, etc. The finest beech and
hard maple, which exists in great abundance within the immediate vicinity of our city, is now available for wood, at $2.50 per
cord, a price rendering it of little or no value, at a greater distance
than four miles from our city, yet this lumber would be a mine of
wealth if properly utilized. Any amount of it could be furnished
for years to come at from $10 to $12 per thousand feet, delivered
in the city, manufactured into lumber of any shape. Large
quantities of oak, ash, walnut, cherry, hickory, and rock-elm are
being shipped from our city and the country adjacent thereto to
eastern and western markets."
The fact that the timber lands of Michigan had not even been as
much as scratched by the woodman's axe is shown in the following:
"Another great advantage we possess is our easy access to the
extensive pineries of northern Michigan. We have direct connection with this great lumber region by means of two railroads
diverging from our city to the northeast and northwest, penetrating the pineries for over 100 miles each, which afford freight
for said roads for at least a quarter of a century to their utmost
capacity. The average number of cars laden with lumber passing
through our city at the present time will exceed 100 per day and
must increase very rapidly as the roads are extended northerly."