Situated on the South Branch of the Boyne River, which forms a portion of its western boundary, the village of Boyne Falls is in North Michigan, about eight miles southeast of Boyne City.
Boyne Falls is in Boyne Valley Township, in Charlevoix County. The North Branch of the Boyne River is just north of the village and the junction of the river's two branches is to the northwest.
The main routes through the village are US Highway 131 and M-75, which intersect in the west-central portion of the village, near Boyne River Pond. East Jordan is 12.8 miles west of the village, Vanderbilt is 16.0 miles east, and Gaylord is 21.3 miles to the southeast.
Although located more than eight miles east of the village limits, Thumb Lake is generally considered to be part of Boyne Falls, largely because it is served by the Boyne Falls post office. Thumb Lake is a 484-acre kettle lake with a maximum depth of 152 feet. The lake is sometimes known as Lake Louise, which comes from a camp director who sought to rename the lake for his wife.
The formation of Boyne Falls preceded that of the much larger Boyne City. Platted in 1873 by William Nelson and Joseph Powers, the village was originally known as Boyne Valley. In 1874, the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad laid track through the area. A.D. Carpenter built a store there that same year, and a post office was established on September 5, with William Nelson as the first postmaster. At that time, the town's name was changed to Boyne Falls, named for the falls on the nearby Boyne River.
The railroad transported wood harvested in the area to the lake at Boyne City, where it was shipped via Lake Michigan to markets in Chicago and Milwaukee. This was facilitated by the tracks between Boyne Falls and Boyne City. As additional branches of the railroad were added to Boyne City, the city outgrew the village.
With the end of the lumber era in the region, the trains stopped running, but a passenger train ran from Boyne Falls to Boyne City during the 1970s, serving as a tourist attraction.
The population of Boyne Falls peaked in 1900 at 431 and was 297 at the time of the 2010 census.
The focus of this guide is on the village of Boyne Falls, Michigan. Appropriate topics include websites representing the village itself, as well as local industries, businesses, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, and recreational opportunities.
Recommended Resources
Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark
Michigan’s largest indoor water park is located just outside Boyne Falls, Michigan, within the Boyne Mountain Resort property. The attractions include rides and slides, pools, hot tubs, and an arcade, and the year-round park offers summer and winter activities, including Fritz’s Snow Fort on the upper level, made for children up to the age of twelve. Its attractions and activities are highlighted, along with special offers and passes, and lodging, dining, and shopping venues.
https://www.avalanchebay.com/
Created to help in the gathering, preservation, and distribution of information about the history and people of Boyne Falls and Boyne Valley Township, the site shares photographs, news articles, and historic commentary submitted by readers, as well as staff, including old photos and newspaper articles about the town, the people, railroad, or logging eras. Other topics include the history of the Boyne Falls Polish Festival, local schools, churches, banks, and the post office.
http://www.boynefallshistory.com/
An annual event since 1975, the event was originally known as the Centennial Celebration for Boyne Falls, although it had a Polish theme from the start, and took its current name in 1977. Its officers, board of directors, event chairs, and event operations personnel are acknowledged, along with a schedule of events, testimonials, the Polka tent, and carnival. Festival royalty, over the years, is listed, and sponsorship opportunities are posted.
https://www.boynefallspolishfestival.com/
Offering a PK-12th-grade public school curriculum on one campus in Boyne Falls, Michigan, the district’s site features an annual school calendar, athletic schedule, staff and student email system, and administrative contacts, as well as the board of education. Board meeting schedules, agendas, minutes, and public notices are put forth. Other resources include an annual education report, a school improvement plan, policy information, and a student handbook.
http://www.boynefalls.org/
Situated in Boyne Valley Township, just west of Boyne Falls, Michigan, Boyne Mountain Resort is a ski resort with several accommodations near Boyne Falls and Boyne City, all operated by Boyne Resorts, with The Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa being the centerpiece. It also includes Avalanche Bay, the largest indoor water park in Michigan. Its site includes a trip planner, and a guide to things to do at the resort, as well as shopping, dining, and guest services.
https://www.boynemountain.com/
