Brevort, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brevort, Michigan
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Brevort signage along U.S. Route 2
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 Brevort, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Brevort, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Mackinac |
| Township | Moran |
| Settled | 1867 |
| Established | 1890 |
| Elevation | 673 ft (205 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
49760 (Moran)
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| Area code(s) | 906 |
| GNIS feature ID | 621937 |
Brevort is a small, unnamed community in Mackinac County, Michigan. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own official government or exact borders like a city or town.
You can find Brevort along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, right on U.S. Route 2. It's part of a larger area called Moran Township.
Contents
Exploring Brevort's Past
How Brevort Got Its Name
Brevort was named after an early explorer, Henry Brevort. He surveyed, or mapped, this area way back in 1845. Because he was the one dividing up the land, many places here ended up being named after him.
In 1867, a man named Charles Gustafson bought some land here. Soon after, many Swedish people moved to the area, starting a new community.
Early Days as a Fishing Village
In 1875, the Mackinac Lumber Company built a huge storage place in Brevort. They kept their lumber here to ship it out on the Great Lakes. Because of this big lumber storage, people sometimes called the area "the Warehouse" in the 1880s.
A small community grew around this depot. Brevort officially started as a fishing village in 1884. It even got its first post office on June 25, 1890. Hattie Vought was the first person to run the post office. By 1893, about 75 people lived in Brevort.
Changes Over Time
When railroads started to be built in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Brevort didn't get a train line. So, it kept relying on shipping its lumber by water. It also didn't have many good roads until M-12 was built in 1919. Later, in 1926, M-12 became part of the U.S. Route 2 we know today.
After the lumber business slowed down, fewer people lived in Brevort. However, commercial fishing kept going strong. With good roads and lake access, Brevort continued to survive. By 1927, its population grew back to 100 people.
In 1961, Moran Township put up a special historic marker near Trinity Lutheran Church. This marker celebrates Brevort's interesting history. The post office in Brevort closed on December 30, 1964.
Today, Brevort doesn't have big industries. It's a small community that attracts tourists. People visit as they travel along U.S. Route 2 between St. Ignace and Naubinway. The Western Cemetery, also known as Brevort Cemetery, is located near U.S. Route 2. The oldest grave there dates back to 1893, and people are still buried there today.
Brevort's Location and Surroundings
Brevort is located in Moran Township, which is in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It's about 15 miles (24 km) northwest of the famous Mackinac Bridge. The Hiawatha National Forest is just east of the community. Some nearby areas are also part of the Lake Superior State Forest. Brevort sits about 597 feet (182 m) above sea level.
It's interesting to note that the community of Brevort is not actually in Brevort Township. Brevort Township is located to the east. Also, the community of Moran is not in Moran Township; it's in Brevort Township!
The closest larger city is St. Ignace, which is about 15 miles (24 km) to the southeast. Other smaller communities nearby include Engadine, Epoufette, Garnet, and Naubinway to the northwest. You can also find Gros Cap to the southeast and Trout Lake to the north.
Since Brevort no longer has its own post office, it uses the Moran 49760 ZIP Code. The local school district, Moran Township School District, covers the entire township.
Natural Features Near Brevort
Besides Lake Michigan, there are other cool natural spots nearby. These include Brevoort River, Little Brevoort Lake, and Brevoort Lake. You might notice that these names are spelled a bit differently than the community and township.
Brevort is also known for its beautiful lakefront and sand dunes along Lake Michigan. These run right next to U.S. Route 2. These dunes and easy public access make it a popular stop for tourists traveling along the Lake Michigan Circle Tour.
Images for kids
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Brevort signage along U.S. Route 2
