Situated in the center of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the village of Empire, Michigan is bordered by Lake Michigan to the east and includes most of South Bar Lake.
South Bar Lake is a 69-acre body of water used for recreational purposes, including a public swimming beach on the west side of the lake in Lake Michigan Beach Park, which is on an isthmus between South Bar Lake and Lake Michigan, and accessed by South Lake Michigan Drive. The fish species in the lake include bluntnose minnow, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, Johnny darter, and Iowa darter.
The Empire Bluffs is south of the village, while the sand dunes of the National Seashore are to the north. There are views of the dunes, North Manitou and South Manitou Islands, and Lake Michigan. A wide beach separated Lake Michigan from South Bar Lake, which is much warmer than Lake Michigan during the summer months. The population center of the village is a few minutes' walk from the beach, up a short hill.
The Robert H. Manning Memorial Lighthouse, also known as the Manning Memorial Light or the Manning Light, is a lighthouse near Empire. The lighthouse was built to honor Mr. Manning, a longtime Empire resident, who had often expressed a desire for a lighthouse in the area.
The Michigan Shore to Shore Riding & Hiking Trail is a 220-mile trail that crosses the Lower Peninsula, from Empire on Lake Michigan to Oscoda on Lake Huron. Public campgrounds are scattered throughout the route. The Empire Bluff Trail is a much shorter hiking trail that leads to a high bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.
Operated by the National Park Service, the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center on M-72, just east of its intersection with M-22, in Empire, offers information, brochures, maps, and park passes for the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
The Empire Area Museum Complex is fashioned after the historic Roen Saloon and includes the original bar, a Victorian parlor, a turn-of-the-century kitchen, artifacts from Norway Town, a blacksmith shop, barn display, railroad exhibits, a covered wagon, and other artifacts. Behind the museum is an original one-room schoolhouse, and also serves as the museum's audio-visual center.
Empire is in Empire Township, southwest Leelanau County, in the northwestern Lower Peninsula. The chief routes to and from the village are M-22 (South Leelanau Highway) and M-72 (West Empire Highway), which intersect in downtown Empire. Cities and villages within twenty-five miles from Empire include Honor (12.6 miles), Beulah (16.0 miles), Lake Ann (16.4 miles), Benzonia (17.1 miles), Frankfort (21.6 miles), Elberta (23.8 miles), and Traverse City (25.0 miles).
The first European-American settler in the area that was to become Empire was John LaRue, who came with his family in 1851. On November 10, 1864, LaRue became the town's first postmaster. The village was named for the schooner Empire, which became icebound in its harbor in 1863, and was then used as a schoolhouse.
Owned by George Aylsworth, the village's first mill was in business from 1873 to 1883. A second mill was built by Potter and Struthers in 1885. This mill was purchased by the T. Wilce Company in 1887 and became the Empire Lumber Company. In operation from 1887 to 1917, the Empire Lumber Company was the dominant industry in the town during its time. When it burned in 1917, it was not rebuilt because most of the nearby virgin timber was exhausted.
The focus of this guide is on the village of Empire, Michigan. Online resources representing the village or any individuals, industries, businesses, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, and events within the village are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
10047 W. Niagara; Empire, Michigan
The guest accommodation features an open floor plan, three bedrooms, a full bath, a half bath, a kitchen, several seating areas, and a covered front porch, able to sleep up to eight vacationers at a time. Several photos are available, including photos of each of the bedrooms, the living room, dining room, entryway, kitchen, and backyard. Its rental policies, check-in and check-out times, and rates are stated, the location, local attractions, and email address are provided.
https://empire-rental.com/
Cottonwood Inn Bed & Breakfast
Within walking distance of Empire Beach on Lake Michigan, and downtown Empire, the B&B accommodations also hosts weddings, family reunions, and barn parties. Named for the giant cottonwoods that surround it, the historical farmhouse includes three porches and a red barn. Available for rent, there is a two night minimum on weekends. Each of its six guest rooms is highlighted, with descriptions and photographs, rates, and policy information.
http://www.thecottonwoodinn.com/
The Empire, Michigan museum complex features the Roen Saloon, the Dorsey Parlor, and items from the ghost town of Norway Town on its main floor, while the lower level includes a blacksmith’s shop, woodworking shop, railroad displays, the Empire Lumber Company displays, a covered wagon, and other exhibits, while the complex also features a schoolhouse, the Billy Beeman Barn, and the 1911 Hose House. Museum hours, memberships, and an online store are available.
http://www.empiremimuseum.org/
Serving business and community interests in Empire, Michigan, and the surrounding area, the Chamber is a voluntary business membership organization. Its site offers a local business directory, a live cam of Empire Beach, and a guide to local shopping venues, restaurants, hotels, and other guest accommodations, outdoor adventures, and events, as well as to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Several photos are featured, along with an area map.
https://empirechamber.com/
A regular event from 1964 to 1980, this is an attempt to revive the Empire Hill Climb, which might be described as a rolling car show. Although changes may occur from year to year, the most recent event featured five competition classes, which are listed here, three for prizes, one for trophies, and another for exhibition only. A history of the event, online driver and volunteer registration, and spectator information for the upcoming events are featured.
https://empirehillclimb.com/
Situated 200 feet from the headquarters of the Sleeping Bear Dune Headquarters, the inn offers options for a Deluxe King Bed or a Deluxe 2-Queen Bed guest room, while the original Lakeshore Inn, now known as the Annex Lakeshore Inn, features twelve guest rooms. Several photographs depict the guest accommodations, a list of features and amenities is given, and a phone number is provided for reservations and inquiries, although online reservations are also available.
https://www.empirelakeshoreinn.net/
The family-owned business includes an RV park, an RV resort, and cottage accommodations. Situated on West Empire Highway (M-72) in Empire, Michigan, the RV park accepts all motorized and towable recreational vehicles, trailers, and pop-ups, with rustic cabins and tent sites also available. The RV resort features large sites on concrete pads, and the cottages include two-floor plan options. Photos are shown, along with a list of amenities and contacts.
https://www.indigobluffs.com/
Located in Empire, Michigan, Joe’s serves breakfast until 11:00 pm daily. The history of the tavern is presented, including an introduction to the proprietors. Its food menu depicts its breakfast options, burgers, salads, sandwiches, and kid’s menu, while its drinks menu features Michigan and other domestic beers, wines, hard ciders and seltzers, and cocktails. Exclusive offerings from Joe’s are highlighted, including Joe’s Empire Ale, and Joe’s Friendly Tavern Draft Root Beer.
https://www.joesfriendlytavern.com/
Laura Sielaff is a Century 21 agent in Empire, Michigan. The site offers market information for Empire, Lake Ann, Maple City, Traverse City, and the surrounding areas, as well as a real estate search that allows real estate buyers to search like an agent. Prospective clients can sign up for updates, get approved for a loan, and find out about their mortgage. Several property search options are available, client testimonials are offered, and contacts are posted.
https://empirehomesandland.com/
Leelanau and Benzie Real Estate
Headquartered in Empire, Michigan, the real estate company offers its services to buyers and sellers of property in Northern Michigan, particularly Benzie and Leelanau counties. Interested home or property buyers may search by lake or by area, or search all listings by keyword. Its services are described, its team is introduced, and a blog is included. Other resources include area links, investment information, home staging tips, and a tax estimator.
https://www.leelanauandbenzierealestate.com/
Located in Empire, Michigan, the Catholic Church is in the Diocese of Gaylord. Its location, Mass times, Confession times, and other schedules are published to the site, along with its councils and other organizations and ministries, faith formation and registration policies, and live streaming video. Information for those interested in becoming a Catholic, as well as for those who are considering returning to Catholicism, are put forth, and online donations may be made.
https://www.stphilipneriempire.org/
