In 1959 William Neithercut donated the necessary funds to purchase 70 acres of land 7.25 kilometers (4.5) miles) northwest of Farwell, Michigan. Mr. Neithercut, a former student of Central Michigan University, spent much of his boyhood in the general area. The acquired property was destined to become known as Neithercut Woodland. Three additional parcels of land were bought during the nine years following the original purchase until the present land area of 252 acres was attained. Neithercut Woodland, operated under the auspices of CMU, has emerged as an outdoor education facility for the students of Central Michigan University and the citizens of the central Michigan area.
The Woodland had previously been owned by the Littlefield-Smith family of Farwell. Mrs. Hazel Littlefield Smith's understanding of the educational importance of the woodland helped lead to the initial acquisition of the property for CMU. The tract of woods had been preserved by her father, pioneer Farwell lumberman Josiah Littlefield, in order that future generations might enjoy and understand the northern Michigan hardwood forest.
The Wakelin McNeel Nature Center, named in honor of a dedicated conservationist who taught at Central Michigan University, was completed in the spring of 1973. The Nature Center is a popular location for various educational meetings and public programs throughout all four seasons of the year.
Neithercut woodland is comprised of a variety of habitats. Mixed hardwood forests of aspen, oak, sugar maple, and white birch predominate, White cedar swamps, a beech-maple climax forest, a cattail marsh, shrub swamps, and an introduced prairie plant plot represent other major plant communities. In addition, scattered clearings that were thought to have been used as staging areas during the logging era dot the northwest area of the property. An old railroad grade used for transporting the logs actually forms a major part of the south Brookwood Trail.
To view some of the early activities associated with the forests in this locale click on Historical Pictures below. Other early photographs will be added in the near future.
More history of Neithercut to come.