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Land Utilization In The Allegan State Forest: A Historical Geography, Martin Lemerand

Masters Theses

Introduction

In Allegan County, Michigan, there exists an area of land known as the Allegan State Forest (Figs. 1 and 2). The Forest compromises 35,755 acres of land and is located just west of the city of Allegan.¹ It is an area primarily noted for its forestry, wildfire conservation, and recreational facilities. Before becoming a state forest and prior to the 1930's, this land passed through sequential occupance by Indians, pioneers, lumberman, and farmers. When the forest area was first settled, the land was abundantly covered with trees. The trees soon became the victims of the lumbermen's axe, and …