Leland Historic District (Leland, Michigan) facts for kids
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Leland Historic District
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by the park, Main St., Ave. A, and the harbor, Leland, Michigan |
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| Area | 9 acres (3.6 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000951 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 20, 1975 |
The Leland Historic District, often called Fishtown, is a historic area in Leland, Michigan. It is located near the park, Main Street, Avenue A, and the harbor. This district was recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site in 1973. Later, in 1975, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of Fishtown
Early Days and Growth
In 1853, a pioneer named Antoine Manseau built a dam across the Carp River. This dam was located right where Fishtown is today. Manseau also built a sawmill and docks. This helped Leland become a place where steamboats could stop for wood.
By 1867, about 200 people lived in Leland. The area also started to become known for its fishing boats. Commercial fishing became very important from the 1870s through the 1890s. More buildings and businesses appeared. In 1886, Leland even became the county seat, which is where the main government offices are.
Fishing Industry Changes
In the early 1900s, fishermen began to improve their boats. They added gasoline engines and covered their open boats. This allowed them to fish on a much larger scale. By 1937, two breakwaters were built in Lake Michigan. These walls helped protect the harbor and made the local fishing industry even stronger.
However, in the 1940s, something changed. The numbers of whitefish and trout in the lake dropped sharply. This was because of sea lampreys, a type of parasitic fish. Even though commercial fishing continued, the area started to rely more on tourism. People also began offering charter fishing trips. Today, the harbor area has both commercial fishing boats and businesses for tourists.
Protecting Fishtown's Future
Starting in 2019, and getting worse in 2020, many of the old fishing shanties faced a big problem. Record high water levels in Lake Michigan and more water from the Carp River caused regular flooding. Fishtown Preservation, the group that owns the site, is working to fix this.
They are raising money to lift, repair, and make the shanties stable. This will help protect the fishing businesses now and in the future. The first shanty to be moved was the Village Cheese shanty on January 10, 2020. The Morris Shanty was planned to be raised in the winter of 2020-21.
What You See in Fishtown Today
The Leland Historic District is located where the Carp River meets Lake Michigan. It includes both businesses and homes. This area is known as one of Michigan's most beautiful villages. The buildings here are mostly original. They have not been changed much over time.
The district includes Leland's main business area. You can see many historic buildings here. There are also the famous fishing shanties, smokehouses, and docks. These are all found right where the river flows out into the lake.
