DEADMAN’S HILL
Elmira, Michigan
This scenic overlook commemorates the tragic death of a soon-to-be-married lumberjack.
Terrain: Mountain/Rock
Location Lat/Long: 45.04570°N / 84.9375°W
County: Otsego | Antrim
Activities: Hiking
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Elevation: 1329 ft. / 405 m
The Railside Bar & Grill.
Elmira, Michigan
We’re a family-friendly bar and restaurant with some of the best Polish food outside of Hamtramck. We offer a diverse array of tasty dishes, including genuine Polish meals, delicious pizzas, mouth-watering sandwiches, and of course, the World Famous Potato Burger. So come on in, have a beer, fill your belly, and make a few new friends. Visit Site
The Story of STANLEY “BIG SAM” GRACZYK
STANLEY “BIG SAM” GRACZYK was driving a team hauling a big wheel of timber logs on this steep Michigan hillside on May 20, 1910, when tragedy struck. He was crushed to death when he stumbled and was overrun by the big wheel loaded with saw logs.
“He labored willingly in the valley, hoping to earn money for his upcoming wedding to a longtime sweetheart.”
Big Sam was not the first tragic death of a lumberjack in Northern Michigan, but he may be the last and the best known, perhaps partially because he was soon to be married. Ever since he perished, this scenic overlook has been known as Deadman’s Hill…
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Historical researchers in Mancelona dug a little deeper to find out more information on Deadman's Hill and Stanley Graczyk. Death certificates identify Samuel Graczyk born May 5, 1887 in Germany to John Graczyk and Agnes Popech. He died May 21, 1910 at the age 23, unmarried. Cause of death indicates he was "run over by wheels loaded with saw logs. Killed in the woods; accidental." He was buried in Elmira, Michigan. It is believed that the first name of the man who died at Deadman's Hill is actually Samuel Graczyk, not Stanley.
BIRTH | 5th of May, 1887 | Germany
DEATH | 21st of May 1910 (age 23)
Elmira, Otsego County, Michigan, USA
BURIAL | Saint Thomas Cemetery
Elmira, Otsego County, Michigan, USA
MEMORIAL ID | 137246102 · View Source
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Eye Witness to Dead Man’s Hill Tragedy Tells His Story.
Dear Editor,
I’m sick and tired of reading phony accounts of the death of Stanley “Big Sam” Graczyk, who figured in the naming of Dead Man’s Hill.
I was present and helped carry Big Sam off the road with a man by the name of Tony Miller. He was my wheel loader. The date was sometime in May of 1910 to the best of my knowledge.
What actually happened was: Big Sam was running between the logs and the eveners on the horses. He stumbled and fell in the wheel track, but threw his body out and the bunch of logs caught his feet and pulled his body under the wheels.
I was sitting on another pair of wheels waiting for Big Sam to get by me. When the wheels ran over him, I jumped up and ran over and raised his head and asked him, “Are you hurt?” He did not answer, he just kind of rolled his eyes and looked at me.
The wheels are not at the site as some writers have claimed. They were pulled right out of there the day that he was killed.
Before this accident happened, Big Sam had broken an axle on his wheels and killed a horse; and this is the axle that probably was left in the woods that is sometimes referred to as the lost wheels that killed Big Sam.
Big Sam never lived in the Bohemian settlement. He lived in Elmira, he was not a Bohemian, he was Polish, and he lived with his sister, Mrs. John Ojczynasz, who lived just across the road from the Ray Cherry Farm, on M-32.
On the day that he was killed, he had also received notice from the G. R. & I Railroad to report for taking an examination for fireman.
Tony Wojciechowski
Boyne Falls, Mich.
P.S. Also working that day in the vicinity was Stanley Dzwik, of Elmira, who is still alive. Also present was John Waszak, whom I believe is dead now, and several other Elmira area residents, whose names I do not recall – but whom I believe are all deceased now. Read More…
The historic sign at the site mistakenly indicates Big Sam was 21 when he died, though his death certificate indicates he was 23. There is also some confusion on why the sign refers to him as Stanley, when his given name was Samuel. He is buried in St. Thomas Cemetery in the nearby town of Elmira.
Today, the 1,329-foot elevation overlook provides locals and tourists with a panoramic view of the 18,000-acre Mackinaw State Forest and the beautiful Jordan River Valley situated some 400 feet below.
Deadman’s Hill and the Jordan River Valley lie within the Mackinaw State Forest. Technically camping is prohibited within the State Forest except at designated campgrounds. In reality, you could probably set up camp anywhere, as there are likely no undercover DNR searching the woods for renegade campers.
