Located in the North Michigan region of the Lower Peninsula, the City of Charlevoix is in northwestern Charlevoix County and serves as the county seat.
The city is situated between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix, which drains into Lake Michigan through the Round Lake/Pine River in downtown Charlevoix, the channel into Lake Michigan is marked by the Charlevoix South Pier Light Station. Round Lake is the gateway to boat traffic from Lake Michigan to Boyne City, East Jordan, or other locations on Lake Charlevoix, so it receives a great deal of commercial, industrial, and recreational boat traffic.
Situated on the Lake Charlevoix end of the Pine River Channel, a U.S. Coast Guard Station has been in Charlevoix since 1898, although it was originally located nearer to Lake Michigan.
The chief route through the city is US-31, which connects Charlevoix with Traverse City and Muskegon to the south, and with Petoskey and Mackinaw City to the north. M-66 originates at US-31 in south Charlevoix and continues south through East Jordan and Kalkaska to the southern Lower Peninsula. C-65 begins at US-31 just west of the M-66 junction and continues south toward Ellsworth and Central Lake. C-56 begins at US-31 just northeast of Charlevoix and continues in an east-southeasterly direction toward Boyne City.
Mostly located within the city, in the southwest, the Charlevoix Municipal Airport serves private air traffic, as well as charter flights to Beaver Island and other attractions through Island Airways and Fresh Air Aviation.
Passenger train service to Charlevoix ended in 1962 when the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway discontinued its Traverse City-Charlevoix-Petoskey line. Freight service ended in 1982 when the Chessie System abandoned its track. Although the state contracted with Michigan Northern Railway to operated the Charlevoix to Petoskey portion of the track, it was discontinued in the 1990s. Since then, portions of the track have been removed and sections of the rail line now serve as a bicycle trail. The Charlevoix Historical Society operates the Charlevoix depot as a museum.
Named for Pierre Francois Xavier de Charlevoix, a French explorer who traveled the Great Lakes, the city originated as a fishing village in the 1850s. John S. Dixon acquired land in the area in 1854. The Homestead Act of 1862 brought several Civil War veterans and land speculators to the area, as the government was selling 160-acre parcels for $1.25 per acre.
In 1864, Dixon arranged to have a large dock constructed at the mouth of the Pine River. As boats were exposed to the harsh Great Lakes weather, the US Army Corps of Engineers began the work of dredging the Pine River channel, connecting Lake Michigan to an inland harbor at Round Lake. This was completed in 1869, connecting Lake Michigan to Lake Charlevoix, and establishing Charlevoix as the gateway.
In 1866, Dixon platted the town, originally named Pine River, as he was the major landowner at the time. By the 1870s, resort associations began to settle the site, and Pine River was incorporated as a village in 1879.
While part of Emmet County, voters opted to move the Emmet County seat to Pine River in 1867. However, in 1869, Charlevoix County was created out of Emmet County so, for a short time, the village served as the county seat for both counties. County seat wars resulted in the seat of Charlevoix County being moved to East Jordan, and then to Boyne City, then back to Pine River in 1897, which had since been renamed Charlevoix. Charlevoix was incorporated as a city in 1905.
From its beginnings as a fishing village, Charlevoix's economy was heavily dependent on commercial shipping from 1870 through the 1880s, particularly of lumber products. Around 1880, the area began to transform into a popular resort destination, particularly while the railroads were providing passenger service, although passenger liners also docked at Charlevoix. World War I brought a suspension to resort operation, but they continued following the war. However, the city suffered economically during the years following World War II. As more and more people had access to automobiles and air travel, its prominence as a destination faltered. At the same time, its manufacturing base slowed, and the railroads began to suspend operations to Charlevoix.
Nevertheless, its population continued to climb, reaching its peak population of 3,519 in 1970, but it has declined each census year since.
The focus of this guide is on the City of Charlevoix, Michigan, and appropriate resources include websites representing the city itself or any businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, or events within the city.
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In business for more than forty years, the Charlevoix, Michigan company builds complete load-out systems and components for the dry bulk product industry, including its Controlled Flow Loading Spout, which has been designed to speed up load-out operations and eliminate dust emissions. Its enclosed loading spout, open loading spout, dust collectors, and slide gate and transitions products are highlighted, and its office location, contacts, and email address are stated.
https://am-mfginc.com/
The licensed residential builder takes on jobs such as new home construction, commercial and residential construction, construction management, additions, renovations, and remodeling, throughout Charlevoix and North Michigan. Its services are outlined on its site, and a gallery of photographs showing past work is featured, along with references. Its office location, telephone, cell, and fax numbers, email address, and a request for bid form are available.
http://carlsonshomeimprovements.com/
Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce
The non-profit business organization represents more than four hundred businesses and individual members in Charlevoix and the surrounding region. Led by a ten-member board, daily operations of the Chamber are handled by a president and professional staff, who provide a community resource in which businesses, residents, visitors, and those considering relocation to Charlevoix can benefit. Membership information, a business directory, and a calendar of events are posted.
https://www.charlevoix.org/
Located minutes away from Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan, the hotel is in the City of Charlevoix, Michigan. All of its guest accommodations include HD televisions and complimentary WiFi, and many of its rooms offer views of Lake Charlevoix. Highlights of the hotel, room features, amenities, and the surrounding region are put forth, including an area guide, and photo gallery. Special offers and packages are highlighted, gift certificates and online bookings are available.
https://www.charlevoixinn.com/
The Charlevoix, Michigan public school district offers a K-12 curriculum through Charlevoix Elementary School and Charlevoix Middle/High School, both of which are highlighted here, with school schedules, a staff directory, after-school programs, and student resources. Board members are introduced, and board policies, goals, and strategic plans are published to the site. Other resources include maps, evaluation tools, and employment information.
https://www.rayder.net/
Established in 1994, the locally owned and operated community bank serves businesses, municipalities, and consumers in Charlevoix and northern Antrim counties, with two locations in the City of Charlevoix, one on Beaver Island, East Jordan, Ellsworth, and Boyne City. Its locations lobby and drive-through hours, and contacts are published to the site, and its personal and business banking services are discussed. An online loan application is available.
https://www.charlevoixstatebank.com/
Mostly surrounded by Charlevoix Township, the city is the county seat of Charlevoix County, Michigan. The official municipal website publishes city council agendas and minutes, the city codebook, and a guide to local parks and recreational facilities. Residents may report concerns to the city office, and bills can be paid online. Also included are a directory of city departments and services, a business directory, area schools, and medical facilities.
https://www.cityofcharlevoix.org/
Built in 1874, the barn and homestead has been in the same family since 1925, and has transitioned from dairy farming to growing vegetables and small fruits and, in recent years, the owners have added a weekly music series with local artists, a wedding venue, and other private events, farm dinners, taxidermy, and a rental cabin on a hill overlooking the farm. Cabin inquiries can be made through the site, and an online shopping area offers fruits, gifts, and other items.
https://www.eventsbarn.net/
Named for Earl Young, the building’s original architect, the hotel is situated one block from Round Lake and minutes from Lake Michigan. Featuring fifty-six rooms and suites, with balconies available in select rooms, photos and descriptions of the guest facilities and common areas, its special offers and packages, a list of amenities and features, and an overview of its meeting and event spaces, on-site dining facilities, and a guide to the area are included.
https://www.hotelearl.com/
Chartered in 1935, the Charlevoix Kiwanis Club has served the community for more than eighty-five years and was the first service club organized in Charlevoix, Michigan. Membership information, meeting schedules, and locations are put forth, along with an overview of its activities and community projects, such as its Fifth Grade essay contest, Headstart reading program, and scholarships. The history and a profile of the organization are presented, several photographs are displayed.
http://www.charlevoixkiwanis.com/
Offering a full selection of sailing classes for children and adults, the school offers a range of hands-on sailing instruction and weekly sailing trips to Lake Charlevoix beaches, with programs for those who are interested in learning to sail, to improve their racing skills, or gain access to Lake Charlevoix, its programs include junior, adult, and racing programs, which are described, with schedules and prices. Boats available for sale or rent are also featured on the site.
https://www.sailcharlevoix.org/
Opened in 1906, the Charlevoix, Michigan Catholic school enrolls students in pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade. A school profile, introductory video, school calendar, and a history of the school are put forward, and its admissions policies, tuition, scholarship applications, forms, and testimonials are included, along with a staff directory, grade-specific information, and an outline of its distance learning programs, faith curriculum, and parent resources.
https://stmaryschoolcharlevoix.com/
Affiliated with Pure Michigan, the site was developed to promote the Charlevoix area, and to develop brand experiences to targeted visitor markets. Employment and volunteer opportunities are posted on the site, when available, and a calendar of events is featured, along with a guide to area attractions, recreational opportunities, shopping venues, historical sites, lodging facilities, and restaurants. A travel planning guide and a blog are included.
https://www.visitcharlevoix.com/
