Elk Rapids is in the northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, bordered on the west by Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay, to the north by Bass Lake, and to the east by Elk Lake. The Elk River divides the village into two parts, connecting Elk Lake with Lake Michigan. The village is in southwest Antrim County.
The Elk River is a short waterway, extending from Elk Lake into Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan, forming a harbor for the village of Elk Rapids. With a maximum depth of 192-feet, Elk Lake is Michigan's second-deepest lake, and it is 7,730 acres. Historically, Elk Lake was an arm of Lake Michigan. When the water level dropped in Lake Michigan, a belt of sediment separated Elk Lake from Grand Traverse Bay, and the short river formed to provide drainage for the smaller lake. Birch Lake is a 326-acre body of water that forms most of Elk Rapids' northern border.
The chief route through the village is US-31. Other routes include Cairn Highway and Elk Lake Road. Travel generally involves going around one lake or another, so distances are lengthened. Nearby cities and villages include Traverse City (16.4 miles southwest), Central Lake (21.5 miles north-northeast), Kalkaska (22.0 miles southeast), Bellaire (25.7 miles northeast), and Mancelona (27.0 miles east).
Before its settlement by European-Americans in the early 1800s, the area had long been inhabited by the Mound Builders and various Anishinabek tribes of Native Americans.
Although Abram S. Wadsworth is credited as being the founder of Elk Rapids when he came to the area in the 1840s, and platted the village in 1852, there were European-Americans in the area long before that. In 1854, the remains of a log home on the shore of Elk Lake was discovered. It was clear that the structure had been built by a white man. However, the logs that the house had been constructed of had rotted to the ground and, because the logs were cedar, it must have been built a couple of generations before that time, as cedar does not quickly rot. The builders were unknown, but it is believed that they may have been French fur traders who had ventured south of the center of the fur trade.
In 1839, Protestant missionaries came to the area from Mackinac Island to establish a school and to minister to the Native American tribes. First, they landed where they eventually ended up, at Old Mission, near the tip of Old Mission Peninsula, along the shores of the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay. Upon their arrival, they were informed that the local tribes were uniting and locating on the east side of the bay, near the Elk River.
At this new location, which was in the area now known as Elk Rapids, the missionaries began work on a home and a school. However, in June of that year, Henry Schoolcraft, Indian agent at Mackinac, arrived and suggested that Bower's Harbor, on the west side of the bay, south of their original location, would be a better site, so they moved once again, later establishing Old Mission.
After residing for brief periods of time in various locations in Michigan, including Old Mission, Abram S. Wadsworth, and his family came to the area of Elk Rapids, building a home in 1848. Although they resided there only periodically, he platted the village in 1852, originally naming it Stevens. A post office was established at Stevens on March 31, 1854, with Theron Bostwick as postmaster. On August 30, 1858, it was renamed Elk Rapids for a pair of elk horns that were found at the mouth of the river.
Early settlers in Elk Rapids included Thomas Hill, James J. McLaughlin, Alexander McVicar, Samuel Rogers, and Amos Wood. Wadsworth and McLaughlin began the construction of a picket and lathe mill on the east side of the bay. Unhappy with it, Wadsworth had it overhauled and turned into a sawmill, which he soon sold, and began construction on a second mill, which he also sold, moving back to Connecticut with his family. Given Wadsworth's frequent moves, James McLaughlin is considered to be the first permanent settler of Elk Rapids, while the Wood and McVicar families are acknowledged as the second and third permanent settlers.
Elk Rapids was the county seat until 1879 and was incorporated as a village in 1900. Its peak population was 1,673 in 1910. With the demise of the lumber industry and other factors, its population had declined by nearly sixty percent by 1920. After further declining to a low of 615, the village has since nearly regained its peak population.
The focus of this guide is on the Village of Elk Rapids, Michigan. Online resources representing the village or any individuals, businesses, churches, schools, organizations, attractions, or events within the village are appropriate for this guide.
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Recommended Resources
In September 1974, the Association was formed to address common interests and concerns of property owners on Birch Lake. Its history, purposes, and accomplishments are highlighted, along with membership dues, rules, guidelines, boat operator restrictions, PWC age restrictions, zoning ordinances, a sewer guide, and lawn-care guidelines. Board members are introduced, area activities are discussed, and an introduction to the lake is included.
https://birchlake.club/
Maintained by the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Discover Elk Rapids exists to promote the village and surrounding area for tourists, businesses, and new residents. Featured is a guide to shopping and dining venues, services, and recreational opportunities in Elk Rapids, Michigan, including a guidebook in PDF format, covering the communities of Elk Rapids, Acme, Alden, Atwood, Bellaire, Central Lake, Eastport, Torch River, and Williamsburg, including advertising.
http://www.discoverelkrapids.com/
Featuring 8,000 square feet of inventory, the antique market carries Primitives, Early American antiques, European antiques, industrial antiques, furniture, lighting, art, decorator items, architectural pieces, advertising, antique toys, and military items. Located on Bridge Street in Elk Rapids, Michigan, its hours of operation, telephone number, and a contact form are provided. A gallery of photographs are displayed, and some of its products may be purchased online.
https://elkrapidsantiques.com/
Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is a voluntary business membership organization charged with promoting and developing a strong business environment, as well as serving the area as a focal point for information, events, and economic development. Its membership tier program is defined, including the benefits of top tier membership, and a printable membership form is available. A calendar of events, membership directory and a small business resource guide are presented.
https://www.elkrapidschamber.org/
The Elk Rapids School District includes twenty-five miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, and fifty miles of inland waterway shoreline, encompassing an area of nearly a hundred and thirty square miles. Offering a PK-12th-grade curriculum, the district operates Lakeland Elementary School, Mill Creek Elementary School, Cherryland Middle School, Elk Rapids High School, and Sunrise Academy, each of which is highlighted here, with schedules and contacts.
https://www.erschools.com/
Formed by boaters at Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor in Elk Rapids, Michigan in 1988, the organization is designed to promote safe recreational boating activities, to maintain and improve harbor services and facilities, aid members and their craft at the dock and underway, and enjoy Grand Traverse Bay and the adjoining waters. Membership information, scholarships, a calendar of events, a photo gallery, classified advertising, and an online store are put forth.
http://www.elkrapidsyachtclub.com/
Fully licensed, bonded, and insured, the family-owned and operated septic cleaning company serves Elk Rapids, Michigan, and the surrounding communities. Its services include pumping septic tanks and holding tanks, maintaining effluent pumps, and renting portable toilets. Its business hours, office location, and contacts are provided, and an informational article on caring for a septic system is included. Its licensure and associations are featured.
https://www.gmosers.com/
The RV-exclusive campground does not include tent camping spaces, but cabins may be available for those without an RV. Featuring ninety-seven full hookup sites, seven water-electric hookup sites, six camping cabins, and a few sites reserved for park model campers, the campground includes nine hundred feet of Bass Lake frontage in Elk Rapids, Michigan. Included is a site map, photos, and descriptions of the cabins and facilities. Summer events are featured.
http://www.honchorestcampground.com/
Affiliated with the global RE/MAX real estate network, the real estate office is located along US-31 South in Elk Rapids, Michigan. Featured properties, open houses, and virtual home tours are featured here, and prospective property buyers may also search for homes and other real estates online, or find available homes on an interactive map. The firm’s services to buyers and sellers are posted, and client testimonials, property resumes, and a professional profile are presented.
https://www.remax-elkrapids-mi.com/
Situated on Wanigan Drive in Elk Rapids, Michigan, the business offers maintenance and repair services for cars and trucks, boats, trailers, and small engine repairs, including all makes and models, imported and domestic. Its affiliation with Technet Professional and Intoxalock Ignition Interlock is featured, and a promotional video, a description of its services, customer testimonials, directions, business hours, a telephone number, and social media contacts are included.
https://www.unclerodsinc.com/
Currently, with stores in Elk Rapids, Central Lake, and Rapid City, Michigan, the business began in Elk Rapids and has served that community for more than forty years. Its history, locations, hours of operation, and contacts are put forward, and its deli section, fine meats, wine department, and event planning services are highlighted. Advertisements, promotions, and its Village Market Gas Club program are featured, along with employment opportunities and recipes.
http://www.villmkt.com/
The official municipal website offers community news, meeting agendas, minutes, and recordings, as well as budget reports, a guide to local government finances, and a calendar of events. A guide to Elk Rapids organizations and services, commissions and boards, and contacts for the village manager, clerk, and other municipal departments are included. Permit application forms, ordinances, and the village cooperative master plan are available.
https://www.elkrapids.org/
Situated on Elk Lake, on Meguzee Point Road, in Elk Rapids, Michigan, the all-inclusive, family-friendly resort offers weekly vacation packages, meals served daily, as well as opportunities for waterskiing, wakeboarding, and tubing, including staff instruction for new skiers. Children’s programs are also included. Several lodging options are available, and highlighted here, with photographs, a list of features and amenities, rates, and promotional offers.
https://www.whitebirchlodge.org/
Made in Elk Rapids, Michigan, the company offers handcrafted, designer soaps, therapeutic essential oils, exfoliating coconut oil scrubs, moisturizing lip balms, bath soaks, oil roll-ons, moisturizing lotions, candles, and related products and accessories, which may be purchased online. A product catalog is presented, and its shipping and return policies, and its options and pricing for special event favors, wrapped with custom labels, are included.
https://www.wildflowersoapworks.com/
