Caspian History

Alois Dober established the first homestead in 1882, followed by early homesteaders Frank Grieninger, Joseph Brady, Elisha Morgan, and Patrick Fogarty. By 1907, a small business center had sprung up on the section line along the eastern limits of the Fogarty property, and in 1908 the Palatka Post Office opened. The Calliari boarding house, hall, and bakery were erected on the Caspian Realty plat, but that area failed to develop. In 1909, a second attempt to establish a village was made near the present Caspian Avenue and was referred to as new town or New Caspian. The Palatka Post Office moved to Caspian in 1913. By 1917, the population had risen to 1806, and in 1918 the village was incorporated and the post office name was officially changed to Caspian. Caspian became a city in 1950. Gaastra, at the other end of this trail, was first settled in 1883 and 1884. Douwe Gaastra acquired and platted property there in 1908, four businesses had been established by 1913, the post office opened the following year, and in 1919 a charter was adopted to become a village. Mines along the way included Caspian, Baltic, Fogarty, Buck Group with Berkshire, Berkshire, and Smuggler/Youngs. The earliest mine development was initiated at Baltic by Superintendent Charles E. Lawrence, who also became the first president of the new village in 1918. The first clubhouse for employees was built near Baltic, followed by a second behind the Caspian Mine. Early mining companies included the Brule and the Verona, with Pickands Mather Company as agent. In 1981, the Caspian Mine Headframe, the Duca Deglia Abruzzi Hall, and the Community Center were placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Caspian, Michigan · United States