Omena, Michigan

"Omena" redirects here; for the African fish, see Rastrineobola argentea.

Omena, Michigan
—  Unincorporated community  —
Omena, Michigan Location within Michigan
Coordinates: 45°03′20″N 85°35′20″W / 45.05556°N 85.58889°W / 45.05556; -85.58889Coordinates: 45°03′20″N 85°35′20″W / 45.05556°N 85.58889°W / 45.05556; -85.58889
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Leelanau County
Township	Leelanau Township
Elevation	604 ft (184 m)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP Code	49674 (P.O. Box)
Area code(s)	231
FIPS code	26-60640[1]
GNIS feature ID	634055[2]

Omena is a small unincorporated community in Leelanau Township of Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Overlooking Omena Bay, on the western side of Grand Traverse Bay, Omena is home to wineries and farms including a thriving organic farming movement that includes cherries and hops. The area boasts several wineries featuring the best of the region's cherry and grape crop, for which the Grand Traverse and Leelanau areas are especially known. The nearest substantial city is Traverse City, a (25) minute drive.

In 1852, the Rev. Peter Daugherty relocated an Indian mission from Old Mission on the Old Mission Peninsula across the western arm of the Grand Traverse Bay to what was at first called "New Mission". He (built) a small Presbyterian church there as the nucleus of the community. The church continues an active schedule of services during the summer months. The word "omena" derived from 'O-me-nah', an Ojibwe Indian expression meaning "Is that so ?", or, "Is that really true?" and was Rev. Daugherty's characteristic response to statements made by Indians. A post office with that name was established in February 1858.

It was a stop on the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad and was regarded as a summer resort area. Among others, Benjamin Grierson, a U.S. Civil War general had a summer home in Omena, as did (General Byron Cutcheon). The principal businesses in Omena include the Tamarack (Art) Gallery, the Leelanau Wine Cellars tasting room, Knot Just A Bar restaurant and the Omena Bay Country Store. Other buildings include a US Post Office and the (Putnam-Cloud Tower House) Museum and (home of Omena Historical Society).

The Omena Traverse Yacht Club forms a center of seasonal social life in Omena. Occasional social gatherings and sailing races take place at the club during the summer. The club has operated a summer youth camp, where children learn tennis and sailing.

References

1. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Omena, Michigan

Further reading

• Powers, Perry F. A history of northern Michigan and its people. Assisted by Harry Gardner Cutler. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1912. p. 351
• Romig, Walter. Michigan Place Names. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1986.
• Wait, Steven Edwin and Anderson, William S. Old settlers; : a historical and chronological record, together with personal experiences and reminiscences of members of the Old settlers of the Grand Traverse region. Traverse City, Mich.: [Ebner brothers], 1918. p. 18
• Wakefield, Lawrence, Ed. "A History of Leelanau Township". Friends of the Leelanau Township Library, 1982. p. 188

External links

• Northport - Omena Chamber of Commerce
• Leelanau Township Website
• Leelanau Township Library Website
• Omena Historical Society