Glen Arbor, Michigan
Glen Arbor is located on a small strip of land between Glen Lake and Lake Michigan in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Glen Lake's natural beauty attracts visitors throughout the summer. Considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the entire state, local legend says that Glen Lake was recognized as "the most beautiful lake in the world" by National Geographic Magazine (though the magazine denies ever having published such a ranking).
Glen Arbor was first settled around 1848 when John LaRue moved from South Manitou Island in order to set up a trading post on the Sleeping Bear Bay. As other families moved into the area a wooding station was built to provide fuel for passing steamers. In 1856 a dock was built to aid in the loading of the steamers, which soon became known as the Central Dock. By 1868 the township of Glen Arbor had 200 people, three docks, two hotels, four stores, a blacksmith shop, and a copper shop. The Empire and Southeastern Railroad stopped in Empire just a few miles away, providing transportation to the area. It is said that before the 1900s there were numerous cranberry bogs along the banks of the Crystal River. The Crystal River runs from Little Fisher Lake to Lake Michigan. Signs of the old cranberry bogs can still be seen along the banks of the river.
Kayaks or canoes are available to rent from several businesses along the Crystal. If you are feeling really adventurous, either paddle around Glen Lake, or begin your expedition in Big Glen Lake, paddle through Big Fisher, then Little Fisher, then follow the Crystal River all the way to Lake Michigan. The famous Dune Climb is just minutes away from Glen Arbor, and there you can climb up the 150 foot dune.
If a less crowded hike is more to your liking then head on over to Glen Haven for the Sleeping Bear Point Trail. The Glen Arbor area has years and years of history and much can be found at the village of Glen Haven, which has been renovated to look like the town did in the 1920s. The historic Sleeping Bear Point Lifesaving Station, which was built in 1901, can be found just minutes from Glen Haven.
Glen Arbor Links
- Glen Arbor photos & features from Leelanau.com
- Glen Lake / Glen Arbor Chamber of Commerce
- Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce's Glen Lake page
- Glen Arbor Township
- Glen Arbor Art Association
- Glen Arbor Sun Newspaper
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Wikipedia's Glen Arbor entry
Photo: Atop the Dunes by Andy McFarlane
wONDERFUL INFORMATION YOU HAVE MADE AVAILABLE!~!~!
I LIVED I GLEN aRBOR BACK IN THE 30'S AND WENT TO gLEN ARBOR SCHOOL. THE ROAD TO TRAVERSE CITY WAS GRAVEL, 90% CLOSED IN THE WINTER. ALLEY wESTCOTT RAN THE GARAGE AND HIS mOTHER, mAY wESTCOTT WAS THE POSTMISTRESS.uSED TO WATCH THE STEAMERS DOCK DOWN AT GLEN HAVEN. GIL WARNESS AND HIS WIFE PEARL HAD THE BIG STORE IN TOWN,,,SAME STREET THE CHURCH IS ON. THEIR SION "SONNY WQARNESS' LAST I KNEW HAD THE GLEN ARBOR CONVENIENCE STORE. EVER HEAR HOW ABOUT 40 ACRES OF THE SLEEPMIMNG BEAR POINT DROP OUT OF SIGHT ????
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Comment by LYNN (MR.) PAYNTER — February 4, 2010 @ 7:42 pm