National Register Listings in
Emmet County, Michigan

Allen, J. B., House Bartram, Isaac, House Bay View Blackbird, Chief Andrew J., House Carmichael, W. S., House Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Station Debenham, I. N., House East Mitchell Street Historic District Fochtman, Gerhard, House Fort Michilimackinac Fourth Ward Polling Place Fryman, Meyer, House Grace Methodist Episcopal Church Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad Harbor Springs Depot Grays Reef Light Station Hemingway, Ernest, Cottage Hobbins, Bert and John, House Hosman and Wheeler Meat Market Kabler, John, House Lesher, Frank, House Malin, A., House Markle, George and Eugene, House McManus, George, House Meyers, Elias, House Miller, Jacob, House Mineral Well Park Nyman, John, House Olin, G. W., House Pennington, Sarah, House Petoskey Downtown Historic District Petoskey Grocery Company Building Petoskey Public Works Utility Building Rehkopf, Phillip, House Saint Ignatius Church and Cemetery Schantz, George, House and Store Schapler, Frank, House Seventh Day Adventist Church Shafer's Grocery and Residence Shay Complex Skillagalee Light Station St. Francis Solanus Mission Stout House Trinity Evangelical Church VanZolenburg, Jacob, House Waugoshance Light Station Wells, J. M., House West Mitchell Street Bridge White Shoal Light Station Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Michigan was the site of the deadliest school massacre in American history. In 1927, a school board member in Bath, Michigan, named Andrew Kehoe detonated explosives he had planted in the local school, killing 38 children and six adults. Kehoe had also killed his wife and set fire to his farm before carrying out the attack.
Michigan random facts
Emmet County, located in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, has a rich and varied history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Ottawa and Ojibwa, who relied on the region's abundant resources for sustenance and trade. European exploration of the area began in the 17th century, and French fur traders established trading posts along the Great Lakes.

The first permanent settlement in what is now Emmet County was established by European settlers in the early 19th century. The town of Petoskey, named after an Ottawa Indian chief, was founded in 1852 and became a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and healing mineral springs. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century further fueled the growth of the county, as it facilitated the transportation of goods and people to the area.

Emmet County played a significant role in the lumber industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The plentiful forests in the region attracted numerous lumber companies, leading to the establishment of logging camps and sawmills. The lumber industry brought prosperity and population growth to the county, but also resulted in extensive deforestation and environmental degradation.

In the 20th century, Emmet County's economy diversified, with the tourism industry becoming increasingly important. The natural beauty of the area, including its lakes, dunes, and parks, continued to attract visitors from far and wide. Today, Emmet County is known for its vibrant tourism industry, as well as its commitment to preserving its natural resources and promoting sustainable development.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Emmet County, Michigan.

  • 1851: Emmet County is established by the Michigan Legislature.
  • 1854: The first white settlers arrive in the area.
  • 1868: The county's first courthouse is built in the city of Petoskey.
  • 1873: The Traverse City Railroad reaches Petoskey, significantly boosting the local economy.
  • 1881: The Michigan Central Railroad begins service to Petoskey.
  • 1898: A devastating fire destroys much of the city of Petoskey.
  • 1901: The new city hall is completed in Petoskey.
  • 1950s: The tourism industry becomes a major economic driver in the county.
  • 1971: The Headlands International Dark Sky Park is established, preserving the area's natural beauty.
  • 1994: The Little Traverse Wheelway, a scenic bike path, is completed.