The Michigan Shadow Town of Curran: Alcona County

The village of Curran can be found in Alcona County just north of the intersection of Baldwin/W. Tower Rd & M-72 in Mitchell Township.

The town was named after Phillip Curran, who built a lumber camp here in 1875. The village finally started to grow around 1886.

In 1890, the Loud & Sons Lumber Company built a narrow gauge railroad (AuSable & Northwestern) through the area. A post office was established in April that same year with Edward Cunning as postmaster; it closed five months later (September) but re-opened the following month with John S. Fullerton taking postmaster duties.

Curran continued logging until the white pines were depleted by the 1920s. Some of the old stumps are still visible if you get out and walk through the woods and search.

Curran also had a general store, and by 1918 the population was a mere 150.

Today, Curran has a couple of churches, convenience store/gas station, post office, two restaurants, and a smattering of houses. A sign greets you as you enter town: “Curran, Black Bear Capital of Michigan” (and for all you school teachers out there, you read right...'capitol' is misspelled).

Stop by Curran sometime for the small town atmosphere, the old buildings, and the Black Bear Festival. Find out more about the festival HERE!