Big Traverse Bay Historic District

The Big Traverse Bay Historic District sits on about 9 acres near where the Traverse River meets the shore, with roughly 40 single-story houses that have gable roofs. Scattered around are fishing-related buildings and equipment including gasoline pumps, net reels, ice storage houses, and weathered fishing shacks covered in cedar shingles.

This place started as a logging camp for the Hebard Lumber Company in the late 1800s. It shifted into a fishing settlement by around 1920 as the timber industry declined.

Finnish settlers built this place into a fishing community in the early 1900s, and you can still see how they lived through the houses and work buildings. The layout and structures show the traditions and daily routines of these families who made their living from the water.

You can walk directly along the shoreline through the settlement, exploring the buildings at a relaxed pace. The area is compact and flat, but expect uneven ground and variable weather since it sits on the Lake Superior coast.

The construction of a breakwater in the 1950s removed several houses and a footbridge, permanently reshaping the community layout. This event changed what visitors see today when they walk through the district.

Location: Michigan

GPS coordinates: 47.19310,-88.23670

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:43