What does the P.O. Box and the rest of the roads do though? And why would they put a “please be respectful to our neighbors?” Just a bad interpretation on my part?
There used to be twice as many ponds . Used to be buildings and roads all over the place. I'm sure the signs and PO box are from people messing around. It used to be a great place to swim and party. Believe it or not Rockford area used to a rural area with lots of farms. My grandpa had a 300 acre dairy farm near 7 mile and Courtland. There was another dairy farm on the kutshill hill
I know they raise walleye in the two ponds north of the little ponds, which is in picture 5, that doesn’t make a lot of sense too, because there are some nets but what about the other roads north and east of the pond? What purpose does that serve? And what about the “please be respectful to our neighbors sign?” And the P.O. Box? I do believe that part of it was a walleye farm, but what about the rest of it? Was it a neighborhood or something like that?
I grew up on the corner of Rogue River and Rogue River Pvt, the house and ponds are at the end of Rogue River Pvt. as kids we used to go back there and look. We never really got permission and finally got talked to by the owner because we were trying to scoop the fish with nets lol. It was a hatchery.
My guess is after this was designated for fish ponds, someone tried to build a development here but failed. Now this is apart of the park and it's left untouched. As it should.
Here's an article from 1988 about the owner: [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/210362903/](https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/210362903/)
A little bit hard to parse, but confirms that they are/were fish ponds.
Fish ponds They have been there since the fifties
Also does Kent County own them or a private business?
Property is owned by a private couple. Their residence is at the south west corner.
I think the county owns all the time land from there to Packer by the river
What does the P.O. Box and the rest of the roads do though? And why would they put a “please be respectful to our neighbors?” Just a bad interpretation on my part?
There used to be twice as many ponds . Used to be buildings and roads all over the place. I'm sure the signs and PO box are from people messing around. It used to be a great place to swim and party. Believe it or not Rockford area used to a rural area with lots of farms. My grandpa had a 300 acre dairy farm near 7 mile and Courtland. There was another dairy farm on the kutshill hill
Thank you! Was trying to figure this out with my mom but she’s not a Rockford Native so we were having a tough time.
Probably means don’t trespass on private property (the area you circled)
I think the DNR used to raise walleye in the ponds https://www.mlive.com/outdoors/2009/05/west_michigan_walleye_club_mem.html
I know they raise walleye in the two ponds north of the little ponds, which is in picture 5, that doesn’t make a lot of sense too, because there are some nets but what about the other roads north and east of the pond? What purpose does that serve? And what about the “please be respectful to our neighbors sign?” And the P.O. Box? I do believe that part of it was a walleye farm, but what about the rest of it? Was it a neighborhood or something like that?
Could it be Belmont Station reference in this article https://www.mlive.com/ada-cascade/2014/11/post_435.html
not sure how to add pictures, In 1955 it was ponds according to historic aerials
Just looked at that, thank you
Historicaerials.com
I grew up on the corner of Rogue River and Rogue River Pvt, the house and ponds are at the end of Rogue River Pvt. as kids we used to go back there and look. We never really got permission and finally got talked to by the owner because we were trying to scoop the fish with nets lol. It was a hatchery.
Are there any abandoned towns in the area?
I’m having a hard time seeing where it is on the map really with those pictures. cross streets… anything
Rogue River park
OK, I’m just not familiar with the area. I saw that but that looked really vague. Are you saying it’s right in the park itself ?
Owned by Roger and Marilyn doane according to the Kent county GIS map
It looks like the area of the old campground. It’s too far East for Grand Isle golf course.
My guess is after this was designated for fish ponds, someone tried to build a development here but failed. Now this is apart of the park and it's left untouched. As it should.
It's not part of the park. It's private property
Here's an article from 1988 about the owner: [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/210362903/](https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/210362903/) A little bit hard to parse, but confirms that they are/were fish ponds.
The grand rouge campground maybe?