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List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Grand Traverse County facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Map of Michigan highlighting Grand Traverse County
Location of Grand Traverse County in Michigan

Grand Traverse County in Michigan is home to many special places called Michigan State Historic Sites. These are buildings, areas, or landmarks that are important because of their history. They help us learn about the past and how people lived long ago. Some of these sites are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means they are important to the whole country! Let's explore some of these amazing historic spots in Grand Traverse County.

Historic Sites in Grand Traverse County

Here are some of the cool historic places you can find in Grand Traverse County:

Acme Vicinity

  • East Bay Township School District No. 2 School

This old school building, located near Acme, was listed as a historic site on May 10, 1990. It reminds us of how kids used to learn in smaller, local schools.

East Bay Township School
The historic East Bay Township School.

Fife Lake Vicinity

  • Fife Lake–Union District No. 1 Schoolhouse

This schoolhouse, near Fife Lake, is also on the National Register of Historic Places. It became a historic site on October 27, 1983. Imagine going to school here!

FifeLake-UnionDistrictNo1SchoolhouseMI
The Fife Lake–Union District No. 1 Schoolhouse.
  • Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad

This historic railroad played a big part in connecting communities. You can find an informational marker about it in a roadside park near Fife Lake. It was recognized as a historic site on February 12, 1959.

GR&I-railroad-route-1871
An old map showing the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad route in 1871.

Interlochen

  • Interlochen Center for the Arts

Located in Interlochen, this famous place is a school for talented young artists in music, theater, and dance. It became a historic site on November 14, 1961, celebrating its importance in arts education.

Kresge Auditorium-Interlochen
Kresge Auditorium, an open-air amphitheater at Interlochen.

Old Mission

  • Dougherty Mission

The Dougherty Mission, located in Old Mission, has a long history, becoming a historic site on February 18, 1956. It's a significant part of the area's early settlement.

Dougherty Mission and Inn NW
The Dougherty Mission and Inn.
  • Hedden Hall

Also in Old Mission, Hedden Hall was listed as a historic site on February 27, 1980. It's another building that tells a story about the community's past.

Dougherty Mission
Hedden Hall, also known as Dougherty Mission.
  • Joseph Hessler Log House

This old log house in Old Mission gives us a peek into how people lived many years ago. It's a great example of early homes in the area.

Hesler Log House
The historic Joseph Hessler Log House.
  • Mission Point Lighthouse

This beautiful lighthouse on Center Road in Old Mission helps guide ships and is a popular landmark. It became a historic site on October 15, 1992.

Mission Point Lighthouse
The Mission Point Lighthouse.
  • Old Mission Congregational Church

This church in Old Mission has been a community gathering place for a long time. It was recognized as a historic site on September 24, 1984.

Traverse City

  • City Opera House

The City Opera House in Traverse City is a beautiful building where many performances and events have taken place. It's also on the National Register of Historic Places and became a historic site on October 29, 1971.

CityOperaHouseTraverseCityMI
The historic City Opera House in Traverse City.
  • Congregation Beth El

This synagogue in Traverse City is an important place of worship with a rich history. It was listed as a historic site on October 21, 1975.

Congregation Beth El
Congregation Beth El in Traverse City.
  • Grand Traverse Bay Informational Designation

Grand Traverse Bay itself is so important that it has an informational marker in Clinch Park in Traverse City. It was designated a historic site on July 19, 1956, highlighting its natural and historical significance.

Grand Traverse Bay
A view of Grand Traverse Bay.
  • Grand Traverse County Courthouse

This building in Traverse City is where important county decisions are made. It became a historic site on July 26, 1974, showing its role in local government.

Grand Traverse County Courthouse
The Grand Traverse County Courthouse.
  • Ladies Library Building

The Ladies Library Building in Traverse City was an important place for women's education and community activities. It was listed as a historic site on May 8, 1986.

Ladies Library Building
The Ladies Library Building.
  • Mac's Super Service Station

This old service station in Traverse City shows us what gas stations looked like in the past. It became a historic site on April 28, 1987.

Mac's Super Service Station
Mac's Super Service Station.
  • Northern Michigan Asylum

This large complex in Traverse City, also known as The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, has a long and interesting history. It's on the National Register of Historic Places and became a historic site on October 26, 1985.

NorthernMichiganAsylumCTraverseCityMI
The historic Northern Michigan Asylum.
  • Old Mission Peninsula Lighthouse Park

This park, located at 20500 Center Road in Traverse City, offers beautiful views and is a historic spot. It was listed as a historic site on July 15, 1999.

  • Park Place Hotel

The Park Place Hotel in Traverse City is a well-known landmark. It became a historic site on May 10, 1990, and has hosted many visitors over the years.

Park Place Hotel
The Park Place Hotel.
  • Perry Hannah House

The Perry Hannah House in Traverse City is a grand historic home. It's also on the National Register of Historic Places and was listed as a historic site on October 29, 1971.

PerryHannahHouseTraverseCityMI
The historic Perry Hannah House.
  • Site of Novotny's Saloon

This site in Traverse City marks where Novotny's Saloon once stood, an important part of the city's social history. It was recognized as a historic site on September 10, 1979.

Novotny's Saloon
The site of Novotny's Saloon.
  • Sleder's Tavern

Sleder's Tavern in Traverse City is one of Michigan's oldest continuously operating taverns. It became a historic site on January 13, 1981.

Sleder's Tavern
Sleder's Tavern.
  • Weight Station

This old weigh station on Peninsula Drive in Traverse City played a role in transportation and commerce. It was listed as a historic site on July 20, 1982.

Weigh Station
The historic Weigh Station.
  • Wilhelm Brothers Store

The Wilhelm Brothers Store in Traverse City is another historic building that tells a story about the city's past businesses. It was recognized as a historic site on November 26, 1985.

Wilhelm Brothers Store
The Wilhelm Brothers Store.

See also

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List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Grand Traverse County Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.