Surrounded by the Nicolet National Forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Sidnaw is in the central-eastern part of Duncan Township, in southern Houghton County.
In Michigan, unincorporated communities don't have legally defined boundaries, but Sidnaw is situated along M28, and centered around its intersection with Sidnaw South Road (Ontario Street). Hill Creek and Sidnaw Creek flow through the southern part of the community, and Beck Lake, Elginor Lake, Mill Lake, and some smaller bodies of water are in the northwestern part of the community.
L'Anse is the only incorporated city or village within twenty-five miles of Sidnaw. Incorporated municipalities within fifty miles include Baraga, Iron River, Caspian, Crystal Falls, Alpha, Gaastra, and Ontonagon, while the unincorporated communities of Watton, Kenton, and Covington are within ten miles.
Like many other Michigan localities, Sidnaw was founded by lumber firms harvesting white pine in the area. Sidnaw also became the location of a railroad junction of the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Railroad and the Chicago, Milwaukee & Saint Paul Railroad (Milwaukee Road). A depot served both lines, and the crossing was protected by a simple interlocker, which was later replaced by a signal and gate system. The two railroads had a joint water tower at Sidnaw with standpipes on both roads for filling locomotives
Sidnaw was platted by Thomas Nestor in 1889, and additional plats were added by Gunlak A. Bergland and the Michigan Iron & Land Company, although Sidnaw was never incorporated as a village.
A post office was established on December 7, 1889. George Garland, the storekeeper of the store in which the post office was housed, served as the first postmaster. Although the community was, for a time, known as Hill Creek, it was later named Sidnaw, which was a corruption of the Native American word "cedenomg," which meant a place between two hills.
The Diamond Match Company harvested the area forests for many years. However, during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the village and surrounding area suffered from several significant fires.
During World War II, the town of Sidnaw was home to one of several POW camps. Originally built as a CCC camp, Camp Sidnaw housed more than two hundred and fifty German prisoners of war, the majority members of Rommel's Afrikakorps, which surrendered in 1943. According to local reports, as the US government sent limited supplies to the camp, guards were known to hunt deer with machine guns and hand grenades.
The Bergland to Sidnaw Rail Trail, known as Trail 8 in snowmobile maps, is a 43-mile trail that follows an unused railroad bed and is used as a snowmobile trail, ATV trail, and for horseback riding, mountain biking, and walking.
This portion of our web guide focuses on the locality known as Sidnaw, Michigan. Although there are few businesses or facilities, other than homes, in Sidnaw, any local businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, recreational opportunities, and informational resources are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
The small airfield in north Sidnaw, Michigan is a public use grass strip that was reopened in July 2006 by the Southern Houghton County Airport and Heritage Association after being closed by the state in 2004. Bordering the village, camping is available on the airfield, along with a cafe and mini-mart. Created in 1944, the airfield is closed during the winter months. Airport data, runway information, events, videos, and guest comments are included on the site.
http://6y9.sidnaw.org/
The cemetery is located in the western part of the community known as Sidnaw, in Houghton County, Michigan. The Find a Grave website encourages readers to adopt and/or upload photographs of the grounds and headstones of people interred in the cemetery, along with transcribing memorials and offering other details, such as obituaries and cross-references with the graves of family members. Visitors may add memorials or upload virtual flowers or give additional information.
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/977791/Sidnaw-Cemetery
Situated on Snowmobile Trail 8, Sidnaw Station is also near the OC ATV Trail, and along M-28 in the village of Sidnaw, Michigan. The location is shown on a map, and the address is posted. Its hours of operation and contacts are displayed. The facilities include a mini-mart, restaurant, bar, and rental cabins. Its two furnished rental cabins are shown in photos, and a list of features and amenities is included, and a restaurant menu, special offers, and a gallery of photographs are included.
https://sidnawstation.com/
Sidnaw, Michigan WWII POW Camp
From February of 1944 until April of 1946, just over two hundred and fifty German prisoners of war were held in a POW camp in Sidnaw, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Military History of the Upper Great Lakes tells the story of this camp, including the close relationships that developed between local residents and some of the POWs interred in the camp, most of whom were captured during the 1943 surrender of Rommel's army in Tunisia. An account of camp life is included.
http://ss.sites.mtu.edu/mhugl/2015/10/11/sidnaw-mi-wwii-pow-camp/
This online guide to the Sidnaw, Michigan community features a brief profile of the village, a map showing its location in the Upper Peninsula, photos of the Prickett-Grooms Airfield on the north side of town, a guide to local businesses and campgrounds, including neighboring businesses, recreational opportunities within the area, and notices of community events. Readers of the site are invited to upload comments about the village through an online comment form.
http://www.sidnaw.org/
