- Lake Leelanau, Michigan
Lake Leelanau is an
unincorporated community in Leelanau County,Michigan , near the lake of the same name,Lake Leelanau . It is situated along M-204 at the "narrows" that separate North & South Lake Leelanau.History
Native Americans who first inhabited the area called this land "ke-ski-bi-ag," which means "narrow body of water," [ [http://www.leelanau.cc/government0550.asp Leelanau County website re Lake Leelanau history] ] and called the lake itself "lee-lan-au," which means "delight of life." [ [http://www.infomi.com/city/lakeleelanau/ Info Michigan website] ] See Leelanau County for a more complete discussion of the etymology of the name.
As French settlers began arriving from
Canada in the middle of thenineteenth century , the settement became known as "Le Naro," owing to its location near the narrows. [ [http://www.infomi.com/city/lakeleelanau/ Ibid.] ] The narrows connect North and South Lake Leelanau. The early settlers called the river and the lake "Carp Lake," a term still used by some locals. [ [http://www.annmariemitchell.com/lake-leelanau.php Real estate agent website re Lake Leelanau] ]In 1854, a dam was built on the
Leland River , near the northwest end of Lake Leelanau, raising the water 12 feet and increasing the size of the lakes.The Schaub family came in 1855 and took up farming; they planted the first vineyard in Leelanau County, and wine was sold locally and shipped to other markets such as Detroit and
Ohio . [ [http://www.annmariemitchell.com/lake-leelanau.php Ibid.] ]In 1867, a fur trader named Andre de Beloit tried in vain to drill for oil, ultimately hitting an
artesian spring which still gushes today at nearbyFountain Point resort. [ [http://www.fountainpointresort.com/history.php?id=16 Fountain Point Resort website] ]In 1871, the first post office was established as "Provement," believed to be shortened from "improvement." By 1924, the post office was renamed as Lake Leelanau. [ [http://www.infomi.com/city/lakeleelanau/ Info Michigan website] ]
In 1887, a Catholic school was built named St. Mary of the Assumption. The original two-story wooden building later burned down, and a brick building was erected in 1928 next to where the former building had stood. [ [http://www.Stmarysll.org St. Mary of the Assumption Parish Catholic Church and School website] ]
Community today
The village of Lake Leelanau includes its hearty year-round residents; however, as summer comes to the
Leelanau Peninsula , vacationers flock to the area to enjoy its scenic beauty, boating, fishing, friendly restaurants, quaint shops and quiet charm along the narrows. This tranquill life was celebrated in a series of essays written by Kathleen Stocking. [ [http://www.press.umich.edu/titleDetailPraise.do?id=9279 Reviews of "Letters from the Leelanau, Essays of People and Place" by Kathleen Stocking] ] [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE4DF113CF934A15752C0A967958260&sec=&pagewanted=print New York Times book review, January 27, 1991] ]In the surrounding area, sightseers can take short trips to Leland, Suttons Bay,
Glen Arbor, Michigan , Northport andSleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore . This community is also in prime cherry country, with several orchards and wineries nearby. [ [http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&rls=GGLJ,GGLJ:2006-42,GGLJ:en&q=wineries&near=Suttons+Bay,+MI+49682&sa=X&oi=local&ct=title List, map of wineries in area] ]Each year, Lake Leelanau plays host to a number of unique activities and celebrations. For example, in mid May, the community hosts its annual "Walleye Festival and Car Show". [ [http://www.glenarborbnb.com/happenings.html Area calendar of events] ]
The community has been part to substantial efforts to protect itself from growth, and to foster a nature conservancy. [ [http://www.theconservancy.com/ Leelenau Conservancy] ]
References
Further reading
* [http://clarke.cmich.edu/localhistory/Leelanau.htm Clarke Historical Library, Central, Michigan University, Bibliography for Leelanau County]
External links
* [http://www.lelandmi.com/about/ Leland]
* [http://www.leelanauhistory.org Leelanau Historical Society website]
* [http://www.leelanaucounty.com/lakeleelanau.asp Leelanau County website re Lake Leelanau]
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