The ownership of this property was originally granted by the United States Government to the New York Canal Company in the early 1850's for the work they provided by building a canal between New York and New Jersey. They probably never saw it. However, they sold the huge pine trees to the Sands and Maxwell Lumber Company from Pentwater, Michigan in the 1870's. Title then passed many years later, in the 1930's to one of Whiskey Creek's most colorful owners, Ed Rushert. Ed was a German immigrant who got his start in America in Wyoming as a cowboy. Ed and his wife Nora ran cattle and sheep out west for many years before coming back to Michigan, where Nora's family was from. Ed's working experience and love was for the cattle and sheep business. It was then that they bought 960 acres of isolated land in Mason County Michigan to run a similar operation. This property was ideal for this type of use because it was one of the only private pieces of land surrounded by Manistee National Forest. Ed Rushert needed a lot of remote acres to graze his large herd. He then leased thousands of acres of land from the Federal Government to run his herd. Whiskey Creek became the "headquarters" of his business. Whiskey Creek under Ed and Nora Rushert's care became the last "leased land" cattle operation in Michigan. You see these big ranches out west today, but they are now a thing of the past in the Mid-west. Every year in the spring, Ed and the other cowboys would right out into the surrounding farm land and collect cattle and sheep from the local farmers to graze the rich, summer grasses of this property and the surrounding National Forest. Every Autumn, all of the farmers, Ed, and his cowboys would have the "round-up". An event that in this neck of the woods has become legend. There were many wives that would not let their husbands attend because it was not just a "round-up", but also a notorious party. The "round-up" lasted for about two weeks. When it was over, and most of the cattle and sheep were again in fenced pasture at Whiskey Creek, Ed would deliver them back to their winter homes on the area's farms. Ed, and his way of life at "Rushert's Ranch" passed away in 1964. There are many "old timers that" still remember the good old days of the "round up", and the little German cowboy from Wyoming that made all of it happen. I have a picture of Ed with a team of oxen, he looks just like Johnny Carson. Somehow, it's fitting!

It has been said that, "The land is eternal." We as humans, that have a terminable life span, are only care takers of the land. The land has been here long before us, and will be here after we leave. In the end, it consumes our remains. We really don't own it, but are charged with its care. The land will remember who was there by the way we care for and use it. That was the philosophy of my Mother and Father, and is mine today. Besides, the Good Lord would re-invent me as a "slug" if I abused my guardianship of this beautiful piece of Nature.

Our history of ownership really started before Ed's passing. My Mother, Charlotte was the land person in our family. She always wanted to own a "really Big" piece of property. In 1960, she started searching for the ideal spot. She was methodical. The first parcel she acquired is not too far from here, and now is owned by the Boy Scouts. It became too small for her ambition, and was donated to them after my eldest brother's death. He was an Eagle Scout, and Scouting had been a large part of his life.

My mother spent many hours in the remote woods with her plat book and "old" four wheel drive. She enjoyed the solitude, and adventure. She was on a quest. That quest paid off in 1961 when she came across 480 acres of land that lies south and west of what is now Whiskey Creek. She purchased that piece of ground, and began to improve the parcel with plantings that would encourage the wildlife. We built ponds at the edge of the wet lands, and built wood duck houses. The meadows were planted with rye grasses and corn. It was a natural paradise filled with game happily eating what my Mother and Father had provided for them. We even had wild turkeys before the State planted them. It was not unusual to see herds of deer in the 70's, or flocks of partridge numbering in the hundreds. They received Sate of Michigan awards for their conservation efforts. These efforts were also a family affair. They brought the family together through this labor of love. If one could love the land, it somehow made everyone else easier to understand. Both my parents seemed to know this secret of life. It strengthened us.

In 1966 We got a call from the heir's of Ed Rushert's estate, they wanted to know if we were interested in purchasing the 960 acres of land that had been Ed's ranch. It cornered our existing "480" purchased earlier by my Mother. I don't remember exactly, but there was not too much hesitation in my Father's voice. This time, with my Mother's approval, Gene, my Dad made the decision to acquire yet more land. It was the last adjoining piece of property in Mason County that the government did not own. It also made what is now Whiskey Creek, the largest piece of private land in the middle of the Manistee National forest in Michigan. It also set the stage for what is here today.

My Dad, Eugene, (Gene) was a self educated man. He completed his high school education in his early forties before there was a GED. Not that he needed to, but for appearances sake, he had to. However, he was a real gentleman of the "old school." I have never met anyone that either didn't like or respect him. He had a way of commanding folks respect in a quiet sort of way. They liked him because he always thought of the other guy first.

Now, Gene had two sons that he wanted to keep out of trouble, and he was creative, dynamic sort of a person. He had a favorite saying that lives with me today, "when life hands you lemons, make lemonade!" I liken him to "Ben Cartwright," if you remember the TV series? His idea was to keep us busy with meaningful work that would teach his children all kinds of lessons. Where most people would see a swamp, Gene would see lakes. He would build scale models, and flood them with water in the bathtub. The next thing we knew, there was a semi-truck pulling in with a used bull-dozer on board. The driver would hand us an operator's manual, unload and leave. This was pure adventure for 17 to 20 year old young men! In the beginning, we had no idea what we were doing. By week's end we had the "big" machine buried past the tracks in goo! Dad was in Chicago, we were on the payroll , and had to solve the problem. Period!

About this time we finished the first two lakes and the pond by Ed's barn, my brother Andy was attending Michigan State's school of hotel, recreational management. He chose as his project, guess what, Whiskey Creek. My Dad, who was a "big" project type of person agreed to the further plans for our expansive property.

The rest is "History" as they say. In 1967 to 1972, we built the original Lodge building from the lumber that we cut from the 24 acres of wet land lake's that we had previously built. It was beautiful, hand crafted building that burned to the ground in 1972. Although, rebuilt in 1973. We next built the 100 space campground, located on the ridges across from the lodge building. We created over 30 miles of trails on our property. Built a one mile Lemans, B shaped fully banked snowmobile race track below the lodge building. It still holds the honors of being the fastest snowmobile race tracks in the world and the safest! Whiskey Creek actually began as a winter business back in the "hay day" of snowmobiling. Our yearly racing schedule included over 7 events of sprint and distance racing. Spectators would top over 5,000 folks. Our restaurant was capable of serving 6,000 hamburgers per day! The meat company truck, as well as other vendors would pull up and park behind the kitchens to supply the demand for that day! It took over 100 people to staff the lodge and the track. Those were exciting days at Whiskey Creek!

Whiskey Creek formed relationships with other groups that shared our common bond with expansive land. In 1971, we hosted our first Cycle Conservation Club ride. This a family group of off road trial riders. At that time they had 5000 members, and controlled 750 miles of maintained trials. Today, originating from Whiskey Creek, there are two 100 mile loops that start here and end here. Now, the cycle Conservation Club boasts 3,700 miles of trails, and over 4,000 family members. Their trail system is accessible from Whiskey Creek. It is the largest trail system of it's kind in the world. Many horse groups call this beautiful property home because they can literally ride all day long without crossing a road. We host trail riding groups, 4-H training groups, and even Sheriff's posses, training to find lost folks. In the winter, we host dog sled racing, and sled dog training sessions. We also promote cross country snowmobile racing.

A new event for us now, and in our second years is Mountain Bike Racing. Because of our large property and expansive National Forest, we have the only 22 mile course in the Midwest that starts, and ends at our lodge building. The trail could be even longer, but those folks can only peddle so far in one race!

In 1981, because of my parent's deaths, Whiskey Creek was sold. The people who we sold to where the people who started the membership camping business for Whiskey Creek. When the Coast to Coast book only had 57 parks in it, Whiskey Creek occupied one of the pages. Over 1,000 memberships were sold in less than three years. The company that sold the memberships decided to sell to another company located in Washington State. They went into bankruptcy forcing our return in 1988. A "Bad Penny" come home? Not hardly. It is impossible to put a "Whiskey Creek" out of your blood.

We realized that what had happened here was a "good" product that was poorly managed. The secretaries had secretaries! The folks that managed Whiskey Creek were marketing people, and not the type to fix a blocked toilet if it had to be done. They did not have a connection to their customers, past the sales. Besides, there were 1,00 families out there that had bargained with a company called "Whiskey Creek." They could care less if the company that sold them their membership had a mailing address in Washington State.

Although, knowing nothing about the membership camping business, my wife and I decided to tackle the opportunity, and come home. After all, at least I had grown up with the project, and unstuck that bull-dozer from the goo without help. It was in my blood.

In 9 years, starting with $37 dollars in the checking account, after meeting thousands of people, some of which I cherish as friends, there are no regrets. For some reason, God rewarded me with this task. Now that may sound "Wishy, Washy" but no matter. If this was not a personal message, I wouldn't be writing it.

Today after 30 some years of involvement with this property, Whiskey Creek is not very different from the days of Rushert's Ranch. We still host groups, gatherings and events. Instead of the sheep and cattle of Ed's days we play to families or groups of families who need a place to roam and be free. People have a need to re-generate and become close with themselves, their families and with Mother Nature. Whiskey Creek now provides the "back-drop" for that to happen. I think that is very important work.

Today, the only thing that is different from the old says, is that we are now building a community here at Whiskey Creek. Folks, like yourselves can now own your own home here. In the two years that we have been selling lots, it has become a very popular idea with our customers. They also recognize the need.

But whether you are here at Whiskey Creek as a member, through our affiliate membership system, participating in an event, or as a lot owner, be assured that you are indeed a member of our extended family.