Topinabee, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Topinabee, Michigan
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Looking north along N. Straits Highway (M-27)
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| Motto(s):
"A small community with a big heart"
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 Topinabee, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Topinabee, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Cheboygan |
| Township | Mullett |
| Settled | 1881 |
| Elevation | 722 ft (220 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) | |
| Area code(s) | 231 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1614963 |
Topinabee (pronounced top-EN-uh-bee) is a small community in Cheboygan County, Michigan. It's not a city with its own government, but it's a recognized place. You can find Topinabee in Mullett Township, right on the southwest side of Mullett Lake.
Even though it doesn't have official borders or population numbers, Topinabee has its own post office. This post office uses the ZIP Code 49791.
Exploring Topinabee's Location
Topinabee is located in Mullett Township, which is part of Cheboygan County. It sits on the southwest shore of Mullett Lake. This area is in the northern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. It's about 27 miles (43 km) south of the famous Mackinac Bridge.
The community is built around M-27, a main road known locally as North Straits Highway. Another big highway, Interstate 75, is about 1 mile (1.6 km) to the west.
Lakes and Waterways
Topinabee is right on Mullett Lake. Another large lake, Burt Lake, is about 2 miles (3.2 km) to the west. The Indian River flows south of Topinabee. This river connects Mullett Lake and Burt Lake, forming part of the amazing Inland Waterway. This waterway is a series of lakes and rivers that boats can travel through.
The city of Cheboygan is about 12 miles (19 km) northeast. The community of Indian River is just south of Topinabee. Other small lake communities like Long Point and Silver Beach are north along M-27.
Local Services
Topinabee has its own post office, mainly for post office box services, using the 49791 ZIP Code. Most of the community uses the Cheboygan 49791 ZIP Code. Areas to the south use the Indian River 49749 ZIP Code.
The Mullett Township Hall and Fire Department are located in Topinabee. The fire department helps the community and nearby areas. Kids in Topinabee go to Inland Lakes Schools, which are based in Indian River.
Topinabee's Past: A Resort Town's Story
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Topinabee started around 1881. The Michigan Central Railroad wanted to create a resort area on the southern shores of Mullett Lake. That year, a hotel owner named H. H. Pike moved here. He planned out the community and named it after Potawatomi leader Topinabee (Great Bear Heart). This leader signed the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, which gave land to settlers.
Pike was very impressed with the area. He bought land and built his tavern, hoping the railroad would come through. Another settler built a hotel on the other side of the lake, hoping the railroad would go there instead. In 1881, the Michigan Central Railroad built its tracks through Pike's land. This helped Topinabee grow. The train station was built the next year.
Early Growth and Travel
A post office opened in Topinabee on April 17, 1882. The train station was built near the lake, about 8 miles (13 km) north of Indian River. Pike's hotel was a main business for early travelers. It was three stories tall and could host up to 40 guests.
The community grew to include a boat launch on the Inland Waterway, a tavern, and even a casino. By 1886, trains ran through Topinabee every day. Pike sold many plots of land for people to build cottages. Topinabee became a popular resort community. In 1895, the community had 34 people.
In 1903, a steamboat named Topinabee began operating on the Inland Waterway. It took travelers from Oden to Cheboygan, stopping in Topinabee for an hour so passengers could have dinner. Sometimes, it even went further north to St. Ignace. Other steamboats also used the Inland Waterway, bringing many visitors to Topinabee.
Changes Over Time
H. H. Pike passed away in 1900. Edward Bailey bought the hotel and renamed it Pike's Summer Tavern. The hotel burned down in 1917 but was rebuilt the next year as Hotel Topinabee. By this time, Topinabee had a downtown area with shops and a bowling alley. It was a popular tourist spot because it was so beautiful and peaceful.
The hotel burned down again in 1928 and was rebuilt once more. During the Great Depression, the hotel struggled financially. It was sold in 1935 and closed in 1950. Another fire in 1965 led to the hotel being torn down in 1970.
Topinabee's Modern Era
In 1958, the railway line was closed. The township bought the old train station. It was first used as a historical museum and library. Later, it became a full-time library. It still has a safe that holds old railroad records and photos!
By 1961, Topinabee benefited from the creation of M-27. This state highway connects Interstate 75 to U.S. Route 23 in Cheboygan. M-27 goes right through Topinabee and is known as North Straits Highway.
The old railway line was turned into the North Central State Trail, which was finished in 2007. This 75-mile (121 km) long trail is great for biking and snowmobiling in winter. It connects Gaylord to Mackinaw City and runs through Topinabee along Mullett Lake. The Topinabee Trailhead is 5.4 miles (8.7 km) north of Indian River.
The Topinabee Library received a technology upgrade in 2000 with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In early 2022, the library got many updates, including new paint and shelves. The area around the library and Mullett Lake is now Topinabee Beach Park, with modern features along the North Central State Trail.
