kids encyclopedia robot

Old Mission, Michigan facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Old Mission, Michigan
Road signage along Mission Road
Road signage along Mission Road
Old Mission, Michigan is located in Michigan
Old Mission, Michigan
Old Mission, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Old Mission, Michigan is located in the United States
Old Mission, Michigan
Old Mission, Michigan
Location in the United States
Country  United States
State  Michigan
County Grand Traverse
Township Peninsula
Settled 1838
Elevation
587 ft (179 m)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
49673
49686 (Traverse City)
Area code(s) 231
GNIS feature ID 634007

Old Mission is an unincorporated community in Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located within Peninsula Township near the tip of Old Mission Peninsula along the shores of the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay. As an unincorporated community, Old Mission has no legally defined boundaries or population statistics of its own.

History

In the Treaty of Washington in 1836, the federal government agreed to provide local native tribes with both a mission and schools for their reservation. Henry Schoolcraft, the Indian agent representing the government, selected a natural harbor on the eastern shore of the peninsula in Grand Traverse Bay for the planned facilities. In 1838, the Presbyterian Board of Missions, sent the Reverend Peter Dougherty (1805–1894) to establish the mission, now known as Old Mission, for which the peninsula would eventually become known.

The Dougherty Mission House, also known as the Rushmore House and Inn, was built within the community in 1842. The house and surrounding structures currently serve as a museum. The Old Mission Inn, built is 1887, is also a historic structure within Old Mission. The two are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as Michigan State Historic Sites.

The area received its first post office on April 26, 1850 under the name Old Mission. The post office remains in operation and is located at 4007 Swaney Road. Currently, the post office uses the 49673 ZIP Code, which is used for post office box only and has no delivery. The area is served by the Traverse City 49686 ZIP Code.

Geography

Old Mission is located just east of M-37 near the tip of Old Mission Peninsula about 16 miles (25.75 km) north of Traverse City. The community was built along Old Mission Harbor, which is a small safe haven along the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay. The community sits at an elevation of 587 feet (179 m) above sea level.

The community is located within an American Viticultural Area and a center of the Michigan wine industry, including the Old Mission Peninsula AVA. Mission Point Light is located slightly north at the northern terminus of M-37. The 45th parallel is slightly north of Old Mission.

Climate

Climate data for Old Mission 3 SSW, Michigan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1979–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 54
(12)
65
(18)
84
(29)
85
(29)
92
(33)
95
(35)
97
(36)
99
(37)
92
(33)
87
(31)
76
(24)
65
(18)
99
(37)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 29.5
(−1.4)
30.8
(−0.7)
40.6
(4.8)
52.3
(11.3)
65.6
(18.7)
75.5
(24.2)
79.9
(26.6)
78.6
(25.9)
71.4
(21.9)
57.8
(14.3)
46.1
(7.8)
35.2
(1.8)
55.3
(12.9)
Daily mean °F (°C) 23.0
(−5.0)
23.4
(−4.8)
31.4
(−0.3)
41.8
(5.4)
54.1
(12.3)
63.9
(17.7)
68.8
(20.4)
68.3
(20.2)
61.2
(16.2)
49.5
(9.7)
39.3
(4.1)
29.9
(−1.2)
46.2
(7.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 16.5
(−8.6)
15.9
(−8.9)
22.2
(−5.4)
31.3
(−0.4)
42.6
(5.9)
52.4
(11.3)
57.7
(14.3)
58.1
(14.5)
50.9
(10.5)
41.3
(5.2)
32.5
(0.3)
24.5
(−4.2)
37.2
(2.9)
Record low °F (°C) −14
(−26)
−20
(−29)
−16
(−27)
8
(−13)
23
(−5)
31
(−1)
36
(2)
34
(1)
27
(−3)
21
(−6)
13
(−11)
−5
(−21)
−20
(−29)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.78
(45)
1.18
(30)
1.43
(36)
2.81
(71)
3.05
(77)
3.02
(77)
2.78
(71)
3.32
(84)
3.61
(92)
3.98
(101)
2.36
(60)
2.00
(51)
31.32
(796)
Source: NOAA

Education

The area is served by Traverse City Area Public Schools, with high school students in Old Mission zoned to Traverse City Central High School. There are no public schools located on Old Mission Peninsula.

Images for kids

kids search engine
Old Mission, Michigan Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.