Rugg Pond Dam

In 1904 Ambrose E. Palmer founded the Kalkaska Light and Power Company and built a dam and power plant at Rugg Pond, where the two branches of the Rapid River meet. Palmer reportedly commissioned farmers to bring wagonloads of stone to the pond to construct the foundation of the dam. This plant supplied electricity to the village of Kalkaska and surrounding areas. The pond was named for R. F. Rugg, a prominent local businessman. According to legend, Ernest Hemingway spent a night fishing from the Rugg Pond Dam powerhouse.

In 1950 Consumers Power Company purchased the former Kalkaska Light and Power Company hydroelectric plant, located at Rugg Pond Dam. Consumers Power sold the dam to Kalkaska County for one dollar in 1953. In 1980 the Army Corp of Engineers condemned the dam. Two years later concerned citizens formed Save Rugg Pond Natural Area to restore the dam and preserve the area. Local contributions, grants, and monies from the Kammer Land and Trust Fund have been used to maintain this scenic area.

Legend. The state marker at this site records the story as local legend rather than established fact; the wording below is the marker’s own.

Sources: Michigan History Center — Michigan Historical Markers.

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