Boyne Mountain Pictorial History

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In 1947 William Pierson, former
Michigan State legislator, signed
over the first 40 acres to a young
Everett Kircher.

Most of the old photos shown here are posted from the book "Everett Kircher, Michigan's Resort Pioneer"
(With permission from the Kircher family)

By 1949 the first Boyne Mountain lodge was open for business. The slope known as Hemlock had been cleared and the first chairlift in the Midwest had been installed.

The first chairlift at Boyne Mountain was also the first chairlift ever constructed in the world, a new concept in moving skiers uphill.

In 1936 the chair was designed and built at Sun Valley, Utah. Kircher bought it used and moved it to Boyne Mountain in 1947.

The first lodge, made of cement blocks and cedar with a cozy fireplace, served the few skiers of the 1940's well. It was a humble beginning for the massive resort of today.

Chuck Moll joined Boyne Mountain in 1950 as general manager. He became Everett Kircher's right hand man for the next 40 years.
Donna Moll came to Boyne City in 1949 as a school teacher. She is still an avid skier and a life long friend of the Kircher family.

Around 1950 early experiments with snow making started. It worked! Many more days of skiing was added to the season.

By 1955 several additions had been added to the lodge, and the new slope "Victor" had been cleared. The parking lot had been enlarged to accommodate the steadily increasing number of skiers. Longer lift lines was putting on pressure to add more chairs.

Kircher brings in experts from Europe to run his ski school. Stein Eriksen (center), the 1952 Winter Olympic gold metal winner in the giant slalom, demonstrates his famous kick turn. (left)

Stein Eriksen

1950's Ski School

Boyne Mountain Lodge in the 60's was significantly enlarged and a new chairlift at "Victor" had been constructed.

The view from the top of "Hemlock" overlooks Boyne Valley and the village of Boyne Falls in the distance.

The art of snow making was much improved.

In the 1970's Everett Kircher added golf to the recreational opportunities in Boyne Valley.

The 18th hole at the Monument Course at Boyne Mountain challenged the skill of many golfers that would arrive.

A parade of golf dignitaries tried the award winning courses. Gene Sarazen was dedicated at the 11th hole.

Of all of the places that Everett Kircher could have lined, He made his home in Boyne Valley on the banks of the Boyne River.

Everett loved to fly fish and the Boyne River that flowed at the foot of Boyne Mountain was his favorite spot.

Everett's love of fly fishing took him all over the world. In Norway Everett landed the world record Atlantic Salmon taken on the fly. It weighed 47 pounds. (1969)