A SET OF giant wheels, a landmark at the now-closed Clinch Park Zoo in Traverse City, will find a new home at the Empire Museum complex. More than a year ago, the Empire Area Heritage Association put the group’s name in for the wheels, which were originally used for hauling logs from the woods during summer logging operations. The Empire Lumber Company had several sets of the wheels, as did many other area mills. The wheels now in Empire were originally made in Manistee. Museum president Dave Taghon worked with Steve Harold, chairman of the Grand Traverse Heritage Center, and City of Traverse City employee Ken Gregory to complete the transaction. The wheels are in need of some work and are being housed in a barn near Empire, where restoration will take place this winter. Bringing the wheels to Empire recently were (from left) Boone Harriger, project coordinator Tim Newman, his daughter Andrea, and her grandfather Duane Newman.