Little Traverse Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Traverse Bay |
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Little Traverse Bay at sunset, viewed from Petoskey
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 Little Traverse Bay
Location in Michigan
Little Traverse Bay
Location in the United States
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| Location | Emmet County, Michigan Charlevoix County, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 45°24′N 85°00′W / 45.4°N 85°W |
| Type | Bay |
| Surface elevation | 581 feet (177 m) |
Little Traverse Bay is a small bay located in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. It is about 170 feet (55 meters) deep. This bay is a part of the much larger Lake Michigan. The cities of Harbor Springs and Petoskey are found right on its shores.
Harbor Springs started as a French mission village. It was called L'arbre de Croche. This village was set up to serve the Odawa people who lived in the area. Later, when the British took control, the village's name was changed to English. Today, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians have their main offices here. They own land in Harbor Springs and also have land and a gaming casino in Petoskey.
A special lighthouse, called the Little Traverse Light, stands at the entrance to the smaller harbor in Harbor Springs. It helps guide boats safely into the bay.
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History of the Bay Area
The Odawa people in northern Michigan agreed to give up some of their lands to the United States. After this, people from Illinois started to develop the Little Traverse Bay area. They created resorts and built up the land. These developers included lawyers like Henry Stryker, III and Henry Brigham McClure. The Capps family from Jacksonville, Illinois, also helped develop the area.
The bay has also been a safe place for large freighter ships. These ships use the bay to hide from bad weather on the Great Lakes.
Fun Activities at Little Traverse Bay
Little Traverse Bay is a very popular spot, especially in the summer. Many parks along the waterfront are open to everyone. You can find these parks in Petoskey and Harbor Springs, and at Petoskey State Park.
Summer Fun and Water Sports
During the summer, many vacation communities enjoy the bay. These include places like Bay View, Wequetonsing, and Harbor Point. People love to go boating, sailing, and swimming here. Many of these communities also offer lessons for sailing and swimming.
Exciting Sailing Races
The bay is also home to an exciting event called the Ugotta Regatta. This sailing race is hosted by the Little Traverse Yacht Club in Harbor Springs. Many of the boats and crews that join this race have already sailed in other big races. These include the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac and the Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race. These two races happen on the weekends just before the Ugotta Regatta.
