Although unincorporated, the village of Chassell, Michigan is the largest community in Chassell Township, in Houghton County, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The community is an elongated area along US Highway 41, from the point where the Pike River empties into Pike Bay in the southwestern part of Portage Lake, north US-41's intersection with Sajdak Road. The unincorporated community of Portage Entry is 5.8 miles southeast of Chassell, while Klingville is 6.3 miles south-southeast, Houghton is 8.2 miles north, South Range is 8.3 miles northwest, and Baraga is 20.2 miles to the south.
Saint Mary's Canal and Land Company acquired the land that was to become Chassell in 1855. In 1867, John Chassell acquired land from St. Mary's, on which he built a farm. In 1865, and is acknowledged as the founder of the community that would later bear his name. Chassell was instrumental in founding the First National Bank of Houghton. He served as the first Cashier for the bank, and was a founding member of the Houghton County Historical Society and Mining Institute.
The community that was formed along the lower western banks of Portage Lake was first known as Pike's Bay, and later renamed Robinson, for Orrin Robinson, the manager of the Sturgeon River Lumber Company, who purchased Chassell's land in 1881. Robinson was also part-owner of the Sturgeon River Boom Company, which was organized in 1875 to dig a canal to bring logs from the Sturgeon River to Pike Bay.
The Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway extended its track to Chassell, adding a train stop there in the late 1880s, and a post office was established on February 2, 1888, and named for the community's founder, John Chassell, as there was another post office with the name Robinson. William Johnson was the first postmaster.
Chassell Township School is a K-12 public school district in Chassell. It replaced the original 1912 high school building and 1917 elementary school building, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Chassell School Complex.
The focus of this guide is on the community of Chassell, Michigan, including online resources representing any individuals, businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, and events within the community.
Recommended Resources
Chassell Historical Organization
Housed in the old Chassell Elementary School, now known as the Chassell Heritage Center, which, along with the adjacent, but privately-owned, high school building, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the non-profit organization is engaged in preserving the history of Chassell Township. Its projects, programs, and special events are highlighted, and the hours of operation for its museum are posted, and its exhibits are discussed and shown here.
https://www.chassellhistory.org/
Established on April 14, 1888, the township includes the unincorporated villages of Chassell, Klingville, Portage Entry, and Singing Sands. Headquartered in Chassell, the location of the township offices are given, including meeting schedules, agendas, and minutes, as well as a list of township board members and those serving on township commissions. News, announcements, and a calendar of events are published to the site, and its parks and recreation facilities are noted.
http://chassell.net/
Situated just west of the village of Chassell, the public school district offers elementary and high school programs on the same campus. The elementary faculty and staff are listed, along with schedules, a student handbook, and school organizations. The same is available for the high school program, along with an early college handbook, a culminating project service guide, and a class master schedule. District administrative and athletics resources and programs are included.
http://www.chassellschools.org/
Created prior to the official website for Chassell Township, this unofficial site includes a lot of information and features not found on the official site, including a history of the village and township, maps of the area, genealogical research data, including Chassell Cemetery, township records, vintage photographs of the community, newspaper articles, demographics, and a guide to parks and recreational facilities, activities and events, and links to other resources.
http://www.chassell.info/
Copper Country Strawberry Festival
Chartered in 1946, the Chassell Lions Club has members from throughout Chassell Township and hosts the Copper Country Strawberry Festival each July. The history of the festival, which was first held in 1949, is told, along with schedules, advertising and vendor opportunities, parade registration, competition results, and photos from past events. General information about the Lions Club is included, such as project reports, and chair and table rentals.
https://www.coppercountrystrawberryfestival.com/
Green Light Cabins & Trailer Sales
Situated on Creamery Road (7th Street) in Chassell, Michigan, Green Light Resort features 1, 2, and 3-bedroom cabins, including packages that include rental cabins, snowmobiles, and meals, as well as RV camping sites. Photos are available. Also featured is Green Light Restaurant and Bar, for which its hours, menus, and contacts are posted, and the company also sells trailers, windows, and doors, which are highlighted here. A map is included.
http://www.greenlightresort.com/
Affiliated with the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the congregation meets in its sanctuary on Willson Memorial Drive in Chassell, Michigan. Its location is shown on a map, and its service schedules and a calendar of programs and events are published to the site. Its leadership and staff are named, and its membership policies are outlined, including its new member classes and the steps toward membership.
https://www.holytrinitylutheranchurch.org/
Located in Chassell, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the general store carries local products from Copper Country artisans and farmers, including local jams, honey, maple syrup, and birch syrup, animal feeds and hay, farm-fresh eggs, local dairy products, local Chaga products, essential oils, wood pellets, antiques, and gifts and crafts, as well as a large variety of bulk foods. Its products are highlighted on its site, sorted into product categories.
http://www.keweenawstore.com/
