Rotary Park "Centennial Project"

Historical marker location:

Rotary Park, 305 U.S. 31, Elk Rapids, Michigan

( Marker is on U.S. 31, 0.2 miles north of 1st Street, on the right when traveling north.)

Marker installed: 2005

The first European settlement in Michigan was founded by French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac in 1701. He established the settlement of Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit (later known as Detroit), which became an important trading post and military stronghold for the French and later the British.