Omena Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Omena Historic District
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Generally along M-22 from Tatch Road to North Omena Point Road, Omena, Michigan |
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| Built | 1855 |
| Architectural style | Upright and Wing, Gablefront, Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, False front commercial |
| NRHP reference No. | 100000534 |
| Added to NRHP | January 17, 2017 |
The Omena Historic District is a special area in Omena, Michigan. It's found along M-22, a road that runs through the town. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. This means it's an important place with a lot of history!
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Discovering Omena's Past
Omena started in 1851 thanks to a man named Rev. Peter Dougherty. He created a school here for the local Chippewa people. The school was a bit outside of today's Omena. As more European families moved in, Dougherty planned a church for everyone. A cemetery began in 1855, and the church was built in 1858. Dougherty's own house was built around then too. He got help from Peter Greensky, a Native American leader. Greensky owned a farm nearby before leaving Omena in 1859.
Growth and Change in Omena
Life was tough for Peter Dougherty and his family after the Civil War. Funding for his school became very low. Dougherty decided to leave Omena in 1871. Meanwhile, the nearby harbor became more active. More European settlers arrived in the 1880s. Farming became the main business around Omena. Farm products were shipped out through the harbor.
Omena also became a popular place for tourists. The first resort, the Shab-Wah-Sung Club, opened in 1868. Over the next few decades, many summer visitors came to Omena. Hotels and guest houses were built to welcome them all.
Omena's Businesses and Transport
Around the same time, new businesses started in Omena. Two general stores opened in the late 1880s. Three two-story houses were built near these stores. Train service came to Omena in 1903.
As cars became popular in the 1900s, M-22 became a busy road. Gas stations started appearing in Omena. By the mid-1930s, there were three of them. One of these places grew from a fruit stand to a gas station. It then became a garage with a bar, and later a restaurant. Today, it's home to Leelanau Cellars and Knot Just a Bar Restaurant.
What You'll See in the District
The Omena Historic District includes many buildings in the village. They are located along M-22, next to Omena Bay. You'll find houses, smaller buildings, and shops here. The Grove Hill New Mission Church is also part of the district.
The district also has the cemetery behind the church. There are also two sets of old dock pilings in the bay. These are important historical parts of the area. Most buildings were built between 1858 and 1935. They are usually one or two stories tall.
Building Styles in Omena
The houses in the district often have specific styles. Many are Upright and Wing or Gablefront homes. There are also two shops with a False front commercial style. This means the front of the building looks taller than the rest.
You can also see details from different architecture styles. Some buildings show Greek Revival features. Others have Italianate or Queen Anne designs. Each style adds to the district's unique look.
