What exactly is a Petoskey stone, and why is it called what it
is? Actually, in this case, legend, geology, and history are
intertwined to give the definition of what the Petoskey stone
actually is. The study of the geology of the Petoskey stone also
gives one quite an idea of how life was in Michigan during the
Devonian time.  Why is it Called the Petoskey Stone?   According
to legend, a descendant of French nobility named Antoine Carre
visited what is now the Petoskey area and became a fur trader
with the John Jacob Astor Fur Company. In time, he met and
married an Ottawa (or Odawa) Indian princess. Carre became known
to the Indians as Neaatooshing. He was eventually adopted by the
tribe and made chief.  In the spring of 1787, after having spent
the winter near what is now Chicago, Chief Neaatooshing and his
royal family started home. On the way, the party camped on the
banks of the Kalamazoo River. During the night, a son was born
to the Chief. As the sun rose, its rays fell on the face of the
new baby. Se