Boyne City, Michigan is at the southeast end of the east arm of Lake Charlevoix, at the point where the Boyne River flows into the lake.
Boyne City is in Charlevoix County, in the North Michigan region of the Lower Peninsula. Although it is administered independently, the city is mostly in Evangeline Township, and portions of its boundaries extend into Eveline, Wilson, Melrose, and Boyne Valley townships.
Nevertheless, Boyne City is not a large city. Its population peaked at 5,218 in 1910 and was 3,735 at the time of the 2010 census.
The chief route through the city is M-75. Other routes include Boyne City Road, Fall Park Road, and Lakeshore Road. US Highway 31 is a few miles east of the city. Advance is 3.5 miles west of Boyne City, Boyne Falls is 6.1 miles southeast, Bay is 6.6 miles north, East Jordan is 12.7 miles southwest, Petoskey is 15.4 miles north, Ellsworth is 16.5 miles west-southwest, and Charlevoix is 18.1 miles northwest. Young State Park is a 563-acre park on the northeastern shore of Lake Charlevoix, adjacent to northwestern Boyne City.
The first European-American settlers in the area that was to become Boyne City were John and Harriet Miller, who came from New York in 1856. They settled in a cabin that had been abandoned by the Mormons. They named the Boyne River for a famous river in Ireland.
The next to come was the John Dixon family. As more people settled nearby, a post office was established on September 20, 1869, and named Boyne, with John Miller as postmaster. A.J. Hall opened an inn, known as the Pine Lake House, in 1879, to serve a lumber industry that was quickly developing. From the mid-1880s to the 1920s, the community's population grew rapidly, largely due to lumbering and lumber mill operations.
Boyne was incorporated as a village in 1885, its name was changed to Boyne City in 1904, and it was incorporated as a city in 1907. The Boyne City & Southeastern Railroad established freight services to Boyne City in 1893, connecting Grand Rapids and Indiana to Great Lakes shipping from Boyne City's harbor.
However, the city's lumber boom was over by the 1920s, and its lumber mill closed, which brought a decline in railroad operations, although the railroad began transporting passengers, continuing to operate until 1978.
Although the lumber mill had been the mainstay of the city's economy, a number of other businesses were established to support the community, and many of these businesses remained after the lumber era was over.
Although Boyne City lost approximately half its population between 1910 and 1930, its population has increased each decade since, with the exception of a slight drop between 1950 and 1960.
Today, tourism has become an important industry, particularly during the summer months as several people have established summer homes along the lake, and other visitors stay at lakeside cabins. Although not a large city, or one that is growing rapidly, Boyne City is a thriving community. Average incomes are good, and the city hosts six public parks, a municipal beach, and a boardwalk on the Boyne River. Its restaurants, snack shops, gift shops, and other retail businesses are doing well, and the surrounding region offers opportunities for boating, fishing, hunting, skiing, and golf.
The focus of this guide is on Boyne City, Michigan. Appropriate resources include websites representing the city or any of its municipal services or programs, as well as local industries, businesses, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, and events.
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Recommended Resources
Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce
Located in Boyne City, Michigan, the Chamber is made up of businesses and professional people in Boyne City and the surrounding region. Member benefits are highlighted and include being featured in its visitor’s guide, online directory, its business and community expo, and e-newsletters, as well as the opportunity to participate in other Chamber programs, networking opportunities, business seminars, hiring assistance, referrals, brochure displays, and events.
https://www.boynechamber.com/
Affiliated with Little League Baseball, Inc., which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the United States and around the world, the Boyne City Little League is a non-profit organization that has been in operation for more than sixty years. Its board of directors is acknowledged, and photos and stories related to the league are shared online, along with a calendar of events. Links to other online Little League resources are included.
https://www.boynecitylittleleague.org/
The North Michigan motel is a couple of blocks from downtown Boyne City, Michigan shops, art galleries, restaurants, and bars, and not far from Lake Charlevoix and the Boyne River. It is five miles from Boyne Mountain and twelve from Petoskey. The guest accommodations and amenities are highlighted, including rates and online bookings, general property information, terms and conditions, cancellation policies, client reviews, and area information.
http://www.boynecitymotel.com/
Settled in 1856 and incorporated as a city in 1907, Boyne City is in North Michigan, on the shores of Lake Charlevoix. City hall office hours, its boards and commissions, community goals, reports, and plans, budget data, and employment opportunities are published to the official municipal website. Municipal departments, government services, and a guide to emergency services, utilities, trash and rubbish disposal, snow removal, and transportation are included.
http://www.cityofboynecity.com/
The library system in Boyne City, Michigan began with the Monday Study Club, which is still an active organization, although the library expanded through funding from the Carnegie Corporation in the early 1900s at its current location on Park and Main. Its history, board of trustees, Friends of the BDL organization, contacts and hours are posted, with an overview of its books, music, and other material resources, programs, and a calendar of events. Cardholders may access their accounts online.
https://www.boynelibrary.org/
The Boyne City Eagles are the Boyne City, Michigan organization of the Fraternal Orders of Eagles, an international non-profit organization, whose clubhouse is located near the mouth of the Boyne River, with a view of Lake Charlevoix. In service to the community since 1907, its hours of operation and contacts are posted to the site, which includes a calendar of events, public notices, a menu, membership policies, officers, contacts, and a list of contributors.
https://www.boynecityeagles.com/
Main Street Boyne City, Michigan
The grassroots, volunteer-driven program follows the Main Street four-point approach to the revitalization and economic development of the downtown district of Boyne City, Michigan. Its leadership and committees are acknowledged, with office hours and contacts, a calendar of events, and an overview of its historic preservation projects. A map of the downtown district is provided, along with impact reports, success stories, a market study, quarterly training, and available properties.
https://boynecitymainstreet.com/
Northern Michigan Surgical Suites, LLC
The multi-specialty center outpatient surgical center is situated in Boyne City, Michigan, where it offers general surgery, orthopedics, ear-nose-throat, facial plastics, neurosurgery, vascular surgery, ophthalmology, and podiatry specialties. Instructions to patients before surgery, the day of surgery, after surgery, and billing information are featured, along with patient forms, financial assistance policies, and patient’s rights and responsibilities. Bills may be paid online.
https://northmichiganss.com/
Headquartered in Boyne City, Michigan, the full-service property management company handles the marketing, administrative, management, and maintenance tasks, offering waterfront rentals, and rentals in Boyne City, Charlevoix, and Walloon. Available properties are highlighted on the site, with a list of features and prices for each, and properties are listed on an interactive map. Its vacation management and property management services are described, and contacts are posted.
https://www.resortrentalsnorth.com/
The online visitor guide includes area attractions, such as Young State Park, Fisherman’s Island State Park, and other opportunities and events, including the Morel Mushroom Festival, and other things to see and do, as well as local shops selling antiques and home furnishings, art galleries, boating and fishing businesses and marinas, restaurants, golf courses, guest lodging accommodations, and other shopping venues and services. A calendar of events is included.
http://www.visitboynecitymichigan.com/
On the shores of Lake Charlevoix, and steps from downtown Boyne City, the Water Street Inn is an all-suites condominium hotel that offers the comforts of home, including a kitchen and fireplace. The suites are one-bedroom units with either a queen or a king bed, and a sleeper sofa in the living room. The accommodations are highlighted, with a list of amenities, rates, and other details. Options and special offers are featured, and guest services are discussed individually.
https://boynewaterstreetinn.com/
