The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-26
THE TOWN OF PErosKEY.
The Attractions OF Northern Michigan-A
Great Hay-FeVer Resort.


The Attractions of Northern Michigan-A
Great Hay-Fever Resort.
Correspondence of the Indianapolis Journal.
PETosKEY, Sept %, l8S6.-This widely -ad-
vertised place has, indeed many attrac-
tons. The healthfulness of the climate, the
desirable properties of the soil, and the
beautiful location have not been overesti-
mated. Petoskey is situated upon the south
shore of Little Traverse bay, a body of water
which extends eastward from Lake Michigan
distance of nine miles inland, with an average
width of six miles
The early French explorers entering the bay,
and, penetrating this region, found it to be
densely inhabited by Indians, mostly Ottawas
and Chippewas. In the fall Of 1873 the Grand
Rapids & Indiana railroad was completed to
this point and since that time Petoskey has
grown from an habitation of four log houses to
a village of nearly four thousand.
An aged Indian chief, who owned about one
hundred and sixty acres of land on which the
western portion of the village is situated, was
honored by the naming of the place after him.
He lived to see the remnant of his people pass
from life of simplicity to the progress of civ
ilization. He died June 10, 1885. One of his
sons, Baziel Petoskey is one of the respected
merchants of the place. dealing principally In
Indian bark work.
In regard to the situation of the village, too
much cannot be said From the shore Of the
bay the land gradually rises in southwesterly
direction, at some points reaching height of 200
feet above the level of the water. We discern
the smoke of the steamers, watch the steamers
appear mere speck and see them gradually
grow larger as they approach the dock Towards
evening, to see a steamer come in ploughing
through the golden path which the sum- in de-
scending, sheds across the water, is a sight not
soon to be forgotten. The glory and grandeur
of the sun, a crimson ball dropping out of sight
behind the water, cannot be portrayed by any
living artist.
Northward across the clear water of the bay
we see the beautiful hills forming the point of
land which incloses Little Traverse Harbor
Point near the left extremity of this land, is "a
little place of beautiful cottages. A good harbor
is here, which protects the vessels in time of
storm. A little to the right of this is Harbor
Springs. site of an old Indian town. A few
miles distant lies We-oue ton-seng, a charming
shore of the bay lies Bay View, just one mile
from Petoskey, where the Methodists annually
hold camp meeting. 1t is delightful resort of
about two hundred pretty cottages
In the western part of the village Bear river
empties into the bay This stream has great
power which is utilized in the running of
grst mill and wooden factory. This river, its
tributaries and Bear Jake, of which it is the out
let. abound in speckled trout. Northern Michi-
gan is, indeed, the great fishing country Lovers
of the fnny tribe can here seek enjoyment at
Crooked lake, Pickerel lake, Douglass lake and
the many trout streams which lie but few
miles out of Petoskey.
The pebbly beach, which forms the northern
border of the village, is daily visited by strang
ers seeking specimens of corals and agStes. Ex
tensive lapdaries are close at hand, where these
stones are polished and made into jewelry.
Petoskey is the only place where perfect speci-
mems of the asterod coral are found This stone
takes high polish, and thousands of specimens
manufactured into numberless ornaments are
annually carried away.
One spot of country which is of great histori-
cal interest to all is found in Arlington Park,
the beautiful pleasure ground surrounding the
best hotel not only of Michigan, but of the entire
Northwest. Here has been carefully preserved
section Of the old Indian trail
between Detroit, Grand Traverse and
Mackinac. The trail was travelled by
er Marquette more than two centuries ago. The
hotels of Petoskey have national reputation,
there being nine which every summer are filled
with strangera from all parts of the Union.
The place boasts Of twelve prosperous manu-
factories Many of the private residences are
very fine, costing several thousands of dollars
each. The churches of the place are the Bap-
tist Presbyterian, Methodist, Catholic, United
Brethren, Evangelical, German Methodist and
Lutheran. The district schools. fully graded,
employ ten teachers. The transportation facili-
ties of Petoskey are very good. Three passenger
trains run daily between Grand Rapids and
Mackinaw City, and eight trains daily on the
Harbor Springs road Steamers run daily to
Traverse City, Mackinac st. Ignace, Charlevoix,
East Jordan and intermediate points. The ferry
makes hourly trips to the resorts across the
bay.
Mackinac island, forty miles north of Petoskey,
is place which 20 one coming north should fail
to The island contains two thousand two
hundred and twenty acres, of which eight hun
dred and twenty-one constitute national park
and one hundred and three the military reserva-
tion. Fort Mackinac is a beautiful place, being
kept in excellent order. The old block-house,
built in 1850 by the British troops under Major
Patrick Sinclair, excites interest The old stone
officers quarters the barracks, the guard house
and the storehouse are separately viewed. Sew
enty privates in excellent drill arc at this fort.
We see the remains Of Fort Holmes, the place
where the first battle on the island was fought
between the Indians and French. Various
points of legendary interest on the island must
be seen to be appreciated, such as Arch Rock
Lovers Leap, Devils Kitchen, Skull Cave, Sugar
loaf, etc.
The fact that tho wonderfully pure air of Pc
toskey has been found to give absolute relief
from hay fever brings hundreds of sufferers of
The air sweeping across the extended cool sur
face of Lake Michigan comes to the shores of
this village purified and refreshing. The hay
fever sufferers have formed themselves into
company called the western Hay-fever Asso-
citation of tho United States" making Petoskey
its headquarters. w. B. s.