On the border of Melrose and Chandler Township on Fraley Road in Charlevoix County is the former homestead land of Little Mossback Amelia.
“Mossback” was the term used for pioneers in the north who trudged through the woods and set up their homesteads in the moss-covered virgin forests. Moss grew on the temporary lean-tos that they stayed in and helped keep out the rain.
The Kaden family, of which Amelia was one of the two children, lived in a moss-covered lean-to. The family prospected their land after finding it by compass. They landed at the port at Bear River (now Petoskey) and hiked 17 miles through the dense woods and found their homestead plot near the south branch of the Springbrook River. Native American families were the only other inhabitants of that area, and the Native children befriended the Kadens.
“Little Mossback Amelia” was written by Margaret Fox of Alpena. Amelia grew up to become a science teacher in Alpena, and Fox was one of her students. Amelia was an expert on the flora and fauna of the north woods.