PITCHER – As a past resident of the community of North Pitcher and a lover of history, I felt readers might take interest in the following:

Pitcher Springs is located in the Township of Pitcher on a tiny brook that flows into the Otselic River. If one travels on Route 26 there is a small road between Pitcher and North Pitcher that leads to a place with an interesting past.

Once thought a cure for many diseases and infirmities, sulfur water became the most sought after medicinal remedy of the age. At one time Pitcher Springs was among the most popular locations to obtain the miraculous attributes of the infamous sulfur baths and treatments. Therefore, Pitcher Springs became very prosperous.

Located here was an academy, three hotels, four stores, a post office, two lawyers, two physicians, a cabinet shop, a tannery, ashery, extensive boot and shoe manufactures, a harness shop, blacksmith, sawmill, two bowling alleys, two bath houses, and several places of amusement, including roller skating. The Springs were visited by people from all sections of the country during the summer months for health and recreation. In the book “Pages of the Past, Story of Pitcher Springs” by Mabel Brown Hagen, it is mentioned that “a day in July of 1833 the number of tickets sold for dinners alone numbered 1,400 and the number of teams of horses cared for 1,053.” Stage Coaches brought mail and visitors from far and near.