North Manitou Village
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Settlements on North Manitou Island began when Nicholas Pickard moved his cordwood operation to this island in the mid 1850's. Steamships stopped for cordwood, but also for lumber, fish, and fresh produce.
A Life-Saving Station was begun in 1887. Before that time, a boathouse was constructed to house a metal surfboat. This station operated until 1938. In the 1890's, a small group of friends from Chicago constructed the first four cottages on the Island. With the popularity of steamship travel, more and more big-city people were seeking the beauty and peace of northern Michigan. Over time, more cottages were built and came to be called "Cottage Row". The design of the cottages were the same and used doors, windows, and woodwork from the Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1893. Today, these cottages are still standing. One cottage is still-occupied during the summer months. Visitors can still see these cottages and the Life-Saving Station by taking the Manitou Transit Ferry from Leland. |
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Cottage Row on North Manitou Island 
North Manitou Lighthouse c.1900 
Cottages on North Manitou |
