Fire destroyed a Presque Isle County historical treasure as huge flames engulfed the 95-year-old Onaway State Park pavilion building overlooking Black Lake. No one was injured in the early morning fire Sunday, and its cause has been listed as “undetermined,” according to Onaway Fire Department chief Roger Nash. The blaze was called in by a Black Lake resident, who saw the glow of the fire from the west shores and contacted Cheboygan County central dispatch. The call came in at 12:30 a.m.

“No one knows how long it had been burning,” said Nash. He said the pavilion was fully engulfed “and on the ground,” when his firefighters arrived. The top floor was gone and “there wasn’t much left,” Nash added. The crew was on the scene for two hours and poured 20,000 gallons of water on what was left. The pavilion predates the establishment of Onaway State Park, and was built for the pre-existing city park.

The log and stone structure featured a steeply pitched roof with a flared roof extension over a wraparound porch. Presque Isle County donated the property, including the structure, to the state in 1920 and state park status was achieved in 1921. “The loss of the Onaway State Park pavilion is simply a tragedy for the history of the county and the state,” said Mary Ann Heidemann, who collected historical information for her thesis about the Presque Isle County Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to earn a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. She currently works for the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office in St. Paul.

“It was modernized by the CCC in the 1930s,” said Heidemann. The original construction date is around 1917. In terms of park usage, it was the oldest standing state park building in Michigan. “Recently, it had become more well-known and honored. It was a real Presque Isle County treasure, and I’m so distraught that it burned down,” said Heidemann. It once was a concession building and a bathhouse, and most recently had been used for community gatherings and storage. Beach buoys, rope and a boat were being stored in the lower level.

Last Saturday, it was being utilized for a fishing tournament. The fireplace was being used, but Nash said, “the fire was out.” He said the cause would be listed as an “undetermined cause,” because there was so much damage to the building. Water was hauled in from the city of Onaway by the 12 responding firefighters. “We had a good turnout,” said Nash, especially since many of them had participated in the fishing tournament the previous day.

Park manager Jeremy Spell, who is still dealing with the reality of the loss, would like to rebuild on the site. “It has to be thoughtful, it has to be thorough.” Meaning, he would seek public input from users and the community. The pavilion had been rented nearly every weekend during the summer months for birthday parties, picnics, class reunions and wedding receptions. “I would like to see something there,” said Spell, “But I also know there are a lot of challenges with that. From my perspective, I want people to have a say. I want to do it right.”

Former park employee Tina Hillicker echoed the feelings of most: “I am deeply saddened this historical landmark sits in ashes. The pavilion at the Onaway State Park held many great memories for both those that live and visit the Onaway Area. It will be greatly missed.”