Situated on a peninsula, bordered by Lake Michigan to the east, Betsie Lake to the east, and by Betsie Lake and the Betsie River connecting the two lakes in the north, the Village of Elberta is in eastern Gilmore Township, eastern Benzie County, in the northwestern Lower Peninsula. Elberta is separated from Frankfort to the north, by Betsie Lake.
The Betsie River is a 54-mile waterway that begins in southwestern Grand Traverse County, and flows briefly through northern Manistee County, although it is mostly within Benzie County. Before emptying into Lake Michigan, between Elberta and Frankfort, the river widens to form Betsie Lake.
Most of the inhabited area of the village is in the southeast, and along the shore of Betsie Lake. The chief routes through the village are M-22 (Scenic Highway) and M-168. M-22 enters the village in the south, running north through the downtown district, turning east at its junction with M-168, exiting the village over a bridge that spans a narrow portion of Betsie Lake, then turning north to connect the village with Frankfort. Although still labeled M-168 on most maps, M-168 was transferred to village control in 2010. M-168 was one of the shortest state highways in Michigan, extending under a mile from its junction with M-22 to the former Ann Arbor Railroad ferry docks.
Besides Frankfort, the nearest villages are Benzonia (7.1 miles east), Beulah (8.4 miles east), and Honor (13.5 miles northeast).
With its proximity to Lake Michigan, Betsie Lake, and the Betsie River, the village is a popular destination for fishing and boating enthusiasts. Two public access points on Lake Betsie provide locations for people to fish from, both with access to deeper water. Managed by the city of Frankfort, the 289-acre lake facilitates fishing from shore, pier, or boat.
The first European-American settler in the area that was to become Elberta was John Greenwood, who came around 1855, although George M. Cartwright is acknowledged as the founder of the village. Born in Grand Blanc, in Genessee County, Cartwright was engaged in the lumber, shipping, and real estate industries. Learning that the United States government was planning a new harbor installation, he acquired land for a village and engaged a civil engineer, George H. Steele, to plat the village in 1866. He recorded the first plat as Frankfort City.
On April 10, 1872, a post office was established as South Frankfort, with George Douglass as its first postmaster. At that time, the name Frankfort was applied to the general harbor area. Later, the current city of Frankfort occupied the northern portion, while the southern portion was incorporated as the Village of South Frankfort in 1894. On June 1, 1911, the village's name was changed to Elberta, in homage to the locally plentiful Elberta peach.
From the 1890s until July 1950, the Ann Arbor Railroad operated launch ferries from docks on the Lake Michigan side in Elberta. The ferries crossed Lake Michigan to two points in Wisconsin, while another went north to Gladstone, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula. During this period, the Ann Arbor Railroad operated a train to and from Cadillac, Owosso, Durand, and Ann Arbor, then south to its terminus in Toledo, Ohio.
Other than a slight increase in the 1970s, Elberta's population has declined each decade since 1950 when it had reached its peak population of 850. Its current population is under 400.
The focus of this guide is on the incorporated village of Elberta, Michigan. Online resources representing the village itself, or any individuals, businesses, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, or events within the village are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
Situated on the site of the town’s first general merchandise store, which also housed the community’s first post office, the building served as a farmer’s cooperative in the 1920s, and a cabbage warehouse in the 1930s, before being turned into a restaurant and pub, featuring live music. Located in Elberta, Michigan, its hours and location are published to the site, along with a history of the business, a menu, its selection of Irish whiskey, and a music schedule.
https://www.cabbageshed.com/
Besides the restaurant on Frankfort Avenue, the Elberta, Michigan business provides bike repair services and rents bikes and kayaks. Offering breakfast, soup, salads, sandwiches, desserts, and coffee, its full menu is published on the site, along with information about its selection of Michigan craft beers, its wine list, and locally made mead and cider. Situated in a circa 1880 building, the history of the building and business, client testimonials, and hours are posted.
http://www.conundrumcafe.com/
Specializing in the sale of antique and vintage items and collectibles, including one-of-a-kind clothing, classic children’s toys, collectible Matchbox cars, Fisher-Price material, sports and celebrity memorabilia, signage, furniture, and fixtures, the business is located on Frankfort Avenue in Elberta, Michigan. Its location is shown on a map, the address is posted, and a phone number and email address are posted, along with a contact form and other data.
http://www.elbertamercantile.com/
Created and maintained by a community-based organization focused on helping to keep Beach’s public access roads open for the public to enjoy, and particularly to demand that the barricades be removed from the public access road to the beach. The Thelma’s Cradle Plat Map and deed, as well as the 1915 Elberta plat, may be downloaded in PDF format. A review of the activities and projects undertaken by the organization is posted, along with a plea for help.
https://occupyelbertabeach.org/
The official municipal website posts office hours and contacts, as well as contacts for the public waterworks department, code enforcement, and zoning administrator, as well as notices of any committee openings and other opportunities. The village council is acknowledged, and council meeting agendas and minutes are published, with an overview of village services, parks, and recreation facilities and programs, announcements, and special notices. Village hall rental policies are included.
http://villageofelberta.com/
Featuring ten vintage cottages, within walking distance of Lake Michigan, the main house was built in 1914 and the first guest cottages were built in the early 1920s, and Wayfarer Lodgings has been in business under various names since. Photos, details, and a list of amenities are provided, along with its rates, gift certificates, and online reservations. Its location, a photo gallery of the guest facilities and surrounding area, and a guide to local businesses.
https://wayfarerlodgings.com/
