Northport, Michigan
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Northport is a
village A village is a human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town with a population typically ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Although villages are often located in rural areas, the term urban v ...
in Leelanau County in the U.S. state of
Michigan Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...
. Located near the northern tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, Northport is located within Leelanau Township, and lies on the shore of Grand Traverse Bay, a bay of
Lake Michigan Lake Michigan ( ) is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is the second-largest of the Great Lakes by volume () and depth () after Lake Superior and the third-largest by surface area (), after Lake Superior and Lake Huron. To the ...
. Northport had a population of 496 at the 2020 census. The village is located about north of Traverse City, and is part of that city's
metropolitan area A metropolitan area or metro is a region consisting of a densely populated urban area, urban agglomeration and its surrounding territories which share Industry (economics), industries, commercial areas, Transport infrastructure, transport network ...
. From 1863 to 1883, Northport served as the
county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or parish (administrative division), civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equiva ...
of Leelanau County.


History

In 1848 Michigan suffered from a smallpox epidemic that affected the entire community of people. Chief Peter Waukazoo and Reverend George Smith moved the community as well as the
Holland Holland is a geographical regionG. Geerts & H. Heestermans, 1981, ''Groot Woordenboek der Nederlandse Taal. Deel I'', Van Dale Lexicografie, Utrecht, p 1105 and former provinces of the Netherlands, province on the western coast of the Netherland ...
-area Ottawa Mission up to the Leelanau Peninsula on boats or canoes. When the settlers had reached their destination they called it Waukazooville. Deacon Joseph Dame arrived at Waukazooville in 1854 and decided to change the name to Northport at this time. Northport was the largest town in Leelanau County for quite a while in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Several general stores were built in the town in 1859 which sold items such as cloth, thread, needles, foods, axes, and more. There was no doctor in town at this time so Reverend Smith was called on to deliver babies and help the ill. Many people that ended up living in Northport came from New York or Canada. The fishermen, farmers, and other community members would gather on the bay and cut chunks of ice for fisheries, hotels, or even private homes. The cherry industry that is prevalent in Northport today had just begun in 1853 on Reverend Smith's farm. Farmers began producing cherries so much within those first few years that cherries were being shipped to nearby cities for their markets. The cherry industry in Northport and Leelanau County remains one of the largest in the world.


Geography

According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the village has a total area of , all land.


Major highways

* reaches the northernmost point along its route in Northport, with the highway's two legs meeting at a junction south of the central business district. Southwest of Northport, M-22 travels along the
Lake Michigan Lake Michigan ( ) is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is the second-largest of the Great Lakes by volume () and depth () after Lake Superior and the third-largest by surface area (), after Lake Superior and Lake Huron. To the ...
shore through the communities of Leland, Glen Arbor,
Empire An empire is a political unit made up of several territories, military outpost (military), outposts, and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a hegemony, dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the ...
, Frankfort, Elberta, Arcadia, and Onekama, before terminating at US-31 north of Manistee. South of Northport, M-22 travels along the western shore of Grand Traverse Bay through the communities of Omena, Suttons Bay, and Greilickville, before terminating at an intersection in Traverse City. * is a short north–south highway solely serving travelers through the village of Northport. North of the village, the highway transitions to Leelanau County Road 640, which can be used to access Leelanau State Park and the Grand Traverse Lighthouse.


Climate

This climatic region has large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the
Köppen Climate Classification The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
system, Northport has a
humid continental climate A humid continental climate is a climatic region defined by Russo-German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1900, typified by four distinct seasons and large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers, and cold ...
, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.


Demographics


2010 census

As of the
census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2010, there were 526 people, 251 households, and 147 families residing in the village. The
population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...
was . There were 405 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 93.2%
White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
, 0.6%
African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
, 2.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races.
Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
or Latino of any race were 6.1% of the population. There were 251 households, of which 15.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were
married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.4% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.63. The median age in the village was 57.5 years. 14.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 13.5% were from 25 to 44; 29.4% were from 45 to 64; and 36.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 46.4% male and 53.6% female.


2000 census

As of the
census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2000, there were 648 people, 272 households, and 174 families residing in the village. The population density was . There were 391 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 96.14%
White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
, 0.31%
African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
, 2.16% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races.
Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
or Latino of any race were 3.55% of the population. There were 272 households, out of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were
married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.69. In the village, the population was spread out, with 18.4% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 17.4% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 31.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males. The median income for a household in the village was $40,368, and the median income for a family was $48,750. Males had a median income of $31,042 versus $26,786 for females. The
per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...
for the village was $23,786. Roughly 6.7% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.


Local attractions

Events *Winter Carnival is held in February at Braman Hill Park. Activities include sledding and tubing, ice skating, Cardboard Box Sled Race, Broomball Tournament, and Chili Cook off. *The Scott Brow Fishing Derby is an annual event held every spring at the Old Mill Pond. The Northport Sportsman's Club stocks the water as well as sponsors the event. Prizes are awarded to the child with the largest fish. *The Fly In Breakfast at Woolsey Airport just north of Northport attracts small, unique aircraft to the small airfield. In addition to the planes, antique, custom, and sports cars are also on display. Breakfast is served in the morning and the community band provides entertainment. *The "Cars in the Park" car show is held annually at Haserot Park near downtown Northport. Viewers can look at classic cars while listening to music selected by a DJ. Trophies are given to the top twenty five vehicles. *The Miles For Mammograms, also known as The Alice Busby Memorial Walk, is held in early September. The memorial walk is a 2-mile walk or a 4.5 mile walk beginning and ending in downtown Northport. Miles For Mammograms helps community members, that suffer from a low income, to get free health services. Places * The Grand Traverse Lighthouse, north of town, is a historic building built in 1858. It is now a tourist attraction that sits within Leelanau State Park. Events such as the Haunted Lighthouse are held annually. *Leelanau State Park is located on the tip of Michigan's "little finger". It is home to nearly 1,300 acres that includes the Grand Traverse Lighthouse museum, a rustic campground, two mini cabins, 8.5 miles of hiking/skiing trail, and shoreline where petoskey stones can be found. *Braman Hill Recreation Center is a year-round facility that is home to tennis courts, basketball courts, a skate park and ice rink, a shooting range, a sledding hill, hiking trails, and warming hut with bathrooms. At the top of the hill is a fire ring and scenic view. *Woolsey Airport is a
General Aviation General aviation (GA) is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as all civil aviation aircraft operations except for commercial air transport or aerial work, which is defined as specialized aviation services for other ...
airfield north of the town. It has 2 runways and is a popular field for those who fly their own plane to the upper parts of the peninsula. There is a yearly Fly-in, Drive-in hosted by the Northport Lions Club, with a pancake breakfast and old car exhibit.


Education

* Northport Public School serves most of northern Leelanau County.


Notable residents

* Tim Allen, actor and comedian
Leelanau Visitors Guide 2011
''.
* Mario Batali, chefConlin, Jennifer
"For Mario Batali, It's Molto Michigan"
''
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
''. August 17, 2007.
* Gilman M. Dame, politician * Frederick W. Galbraith * Jonathan Kuck, speed skater * Nathan Scherrer, music video producer * Mark Spitznagel, investor and hedge-fund managerAhmed, Azam
"New Investment Strategy: Preparing for End Times"
''
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
''. June 29, 2011.
* Clinton F. Woolsey, aviator


Gallery

File:Northport Michigan Sign M-22.jpg, A sign for Northport along M-22 File:Northport Michigan Welcome Sign.jpg, Welcome sign File:St. Gertrude the Great-Northport.jpg, St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church File:Charlotte Bushnell House.jpg, Charlotte Bushnell House File:Howard E. Gill Building.jpg, Howard E. Gill Building File:Fishery Plaque.jpg, Great Lakes Sport Fishery Historical Designation


References


Further reading


Clarke Historical Library, Central, Michigan University, Bibliography for Leelanau County


External links


Northport - Omena Chamber of CommerceLeelanau Township WebsiteNorthport Public School WebsiteNorthport Promise WebsiteZonta Club of Leelanau CountyLeelanau Peninsula Chamber of CommercePure Michigan

Grand Traverse Lighthouse
{{authority control Villages in Leelanau County, Michigan Villages in Michigan Michigan populated places on Lake Michigan Former county seats in Michigan Traverse City metropolitan area