A Little History

 

Next to the millpond, behind the stores on Michigan Avenue, once stood the horse stable for the Village of Grayling. Bud Hunter purchased the property in 1957 with the vision of creating an abstract office. His vision became a reality in 1968, when he opened Crawford County Abstract & Title.

 

Bud held the position of Register of Deeds for Crawford County from 1951 through December 31, 1978.  In 1974, Bud sold the title company to Burton Abstract. Within a couple of years, Crawford County Abstract & Title was sold to St. Paul Title, but was soon after purchased by First American Title Company.

 

In January of 1974 when Burton Abstract purchased the business, James E. Harris was recruited from Grand Rapids to manage the office in Grayling.  Jim had begun his career with Burton Abstract in Detroit in 1955.  On April 30, 1984, after watching the business change hands twice, Jim purchased the business from First American Title Company. In May of 1999, after 15 successful years as the owner of his own business, Jim sold 51% of the business to an independent agent, MaryAnn Ferrigan.

 

MaryAnn worked under the direction of Jim Harris for 10 years before venturing out to manage an office for First American Title in Livonia. When MaryAnn returned to Grayling in November of 1999, she expanded the company to Higgins Lake by opening Roscommon County Title. In 2000 she purchased the 'little red building on the river'.  Now known as the City Park. Crawford County Title as been completely remodeled into what you see today.  

 

 Today, MaryAnn, Jim and their staff continue providing expert knowledge to the landowners of Crawford County, Roscommon County and their representatives.