- Fountain Point
Fountain Point is an historic landmark located in Suttons Bay Township,
Michigan , which is part of Leelanau County and theLeelanau Peninsula . Its name is derived from a fountain of sparkling artesian spring water, [ [http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/gwartesian.html U.S. Geological Survey -- artesian well] ] situated on a large point onLake Leelanau , [ [http://www.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=44.977914,-85.694046&spn=0.121915,0.2314&z=12&om=1 Google map showing Fountain Point] ] which has been continuously gushing since1867 .Infobox_nrhp | name =Fountain Point
nrhp_type =
caption = The fountain at Fountain Point Resort
location= 990 South Lake Leelanau Drive,Suttons Bay Township, Michigan
area =
built =1889
architect=
architecture= Late Victorian, Bungalow/craftsman
added =July 10 ,2003
governing_body = Private
refnum=03000623 [ [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/MI/Leelanau/districts.html National Register of Historic Places -- Fountain Point] ]History
Circa 1860, a French fur trader, Andre de Beloit, was plying his trade near the narrows of Carp Lake -- also called Lake "Leelanau," said to mean "delight of life" in the language spoken by local Native Americans [ [http://www.infomi.com/city/lakeleelanau/ Info Michigan website] ] -- and became convinced of the beauty and bounty of the area and purchased a parcel of land. [ [http://www.fountainpointresort.com/history.php?id=16 Fountain Point Resort website -- history] ]
He attempted drilling for oil, and after a long struggle in 1867 he struck a gusher of sparkling water at a depth of 900 feet. [ [http://www.leelanau.cc/government0550.asp Leelanau County website] ] Following de Beloit’s disappointment over his failure to strike oil, the land changed hands several times until 1887, when it was purchased by Mrs. Lydia Morrison of
Cincinnati ,Ohio . In June 1889, she established "The Fountain Point House," a Victorian-style mansion, and guests began arriving for the summer by steamboat and buggy. The main three-story building was the center of activity, and it included a large dining room, kitchen and lounge.By 1903, the [http://bentley.umich.edu/bhl/mhchome/railroad/rrnamet.htm Traverse City, Leelanau, and Manistique Railroad] began operating between
Traverse City and Northport, stopping at Fountain Point, improving transportation of people and products. [ [http://www.suttonsbayarea.com/history/ Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce -- history] ]Over the years, several cottages were built, and Fountain Point has become a popular destination featuring rich history and simple family pleasures.
Fountain Point today
Fountain Point includes smaller private residences and a large resort called Fountain Point Resort. The resort, one of the oldest recreational hotel complexes of its type in the state, [ [http://www.record-eagle.com/2003/may/17hsites.htm Traverse City Record-Eagle, May 17, 2003] ] encompasses 54 acres of land, including a half-mile of lakefront and the fountain, [ [http://www.michigan.org/travel/detail.asp?p=B7566 State of Michigan website -- Fountain Point] ] and is presently owned by Ms. Susan Jay Nichols; the property has been in her family for three generations. [ [http://www.fountainpointresort.com/history.php?id=16 Fountain Point resort website -- history] ] Located near the quiet community of Lake Leelanau, it is open to the public, reservations only, Memorial Day through Labor Day, and features swimming, boating, tennis and numerous other indoor and outdoor activities. [ [http://www.fountainpointresort.com/amenities.php Fountain Point resort website -- amenities] ]
In 1975, Fountain Point Resort was listed on the State of Michigan historic registry, [ [http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/8581.htm State of Michigan historic sites -- Fountain Point] ] and in 2003 it was placed on the
National Register of Historic Places . [ [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/MI/Leelanau/districts.html National Register of Historic Places -- Fountain Point] ]External links
* [http://www.fountainpointresort.com Fountain Point Resort website]
* [http://www.leelanaucounty.com/suttonsbaytwp.asp Suttons Bay Township website]
* [http://www.leelanauhistory.org Leelanau Historical Museum and Society]
* [http://abstusa.com/mi/fountain-point/map Map]
* [http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-18835_18896-67165--,00.html State of Michigan website re historical significance]References
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