Apparently est on or about 1877 as a lumbering town built around main rail way at that time- some 20 or more families lived there. There was a train depot,post office,gen store and family homes/farms-i have been told by a county official cholera and similiar diseases took a major role in the towns demise-probably along with lumbering companies who were in constant search of new forests to cut.An indian used to take care of cem.But died some time ago-a cival war veteran is buried there. A very eerie place, I wouldnt suggest not going alone!! stop by library for maps I dont want to make it too easy! vandalism has taken its toll on grave sites. Submitted by: Jason alexander

Pere Cheney was originated in the early 1800's the first time, as a small community that built up around the railroad. Cholera ran through the city and killed most of the people, the survivors moved to the nearby towns of Roscommon and Grayling. Subsequently, the town was razed to prevent further infection. Approximately 50 years later, around 1877, the town was built again, on a much smaller scale. Again, cholera swept through the town and it had to be razed again. Many locals think the place was old indian land, and has a curse on it, thus the reason for the towns inability to survive. If you would like to hear the ghost stories/legends, email me, I will be happy to provide them. Submitted by: Anna Crowell

All Pictures Courtesy Cindi Lee

Entering through the broken gates to Pere Cheney - that's my husband and son.

Elizabeth A Sewell - Died February 3, 1892 age 73 One of the vandalized headstones that somebody has attempted to lay together on the ground.

Augustine ODell - there are numerous ODell headstones - this one without dates and one that looks very new. The flag which marks it only proves that the war veterans are never forgotton - even in cemetary's that are located in the middle of the woods.

Another vandalized headstone. This one had the name Barber. The top of the headstone is nowhere to be found.

This is a light seen in the photo. There was nothing for a relfletion or glare that evening and so I don't know what it is. My daughters teacher had the same light in her photos. I did not see the light when I snapped the photo. I have other photos with the same light in the same set of trees. I took the photos as we were driving away.

Older headstone - notice the placement of the flower. A flower was placed at each headstone throughout the cemetary.

As I was leaving, but no light visible in the tree.

Theodore ODell - one of the few with overgrown brush around it. We found this one in the rear of the cemetary close to the woods.

Nichols Headstone - vandalized, but neatly put back together on the ground.

Just a headstone with 1892 and I can't read the rest of it.

Pere Cheney headstone