The village of Fife Lake, Michigan is in eastern Fife Lake Township, in southeast Grand Traverse County, about twenty miles southeast of Traverse City.
The village is located near the intersection of US-131 and M-186. Nearby cities and villages include Kingsley, Kalkaska, and Manton.
Situated on the northern shores of the body of water, for which the village was named, the much smaller Mirror Lake is within the borders of the village, in the southwest. Fife Lake is a 627-acre body of water, about 55-feet deep at its deepest point. The lake has two islands.
The lake in the area around it was first discovered by European Americans when the land was being surveyed in preparation for a road connecting Traverse City and Midland. The surveyors were charged with determining the best route for the new road. They passed a previously unmapped lake, which they named for William H. Fife who was a member of the surveying team.
The village itself began as two towns both of which were platted in 1872. L.L. Shaw, from Grand Rapids, platted a village when she named Fyfe Lake, for the lake on whose bank it was situated. Another nearby community was platted by Thomas T. Bates, and named North Fife Lake. Serving both communities, a post office was established at Fyfe Lake on December 12, 1872, with Richard P. Thurber as postmaster. And December 1, 1875, the spelling of the Fyfe Lake post office was corrected to Fife Lake, as it was named for the body of water.
The towns were formed as the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad was being built through the area. Or originally a lumber town, the population along the lakeshore grew to three hundred by 1877, and by 1885 the two communities supported about a thousand people. In 1889, the two towns were incorporated together as the village of Fife Lake.
The village largely about the needs of the several nearby lumber camps. As the available trees were harvested, and the industry moved on, mini moved away and others began farming. Five Lake adapted, and briefly became an agricultural center. By 1900, its population had settled to about six hundred. The village included three hotels, saloons, a restaurant, two blacksmith shops, a woodenware factory, a sawmill, livery stable, hardware store, pharmacy, grocery store, general store, a couple of meat markets, a dry-goods store, shoe store, jeweler, barber, and a newspaper.
Agriculture didn't do well, unfortunately; the soil was too thin and sandy. By 1920, the population of the village had declined to about two hundred and fifty. Around that time, farms were phased out and cottages began to appear around the lake, beginning the town's new identity as a resort and tourist town. Today, tourism is the main industry in Fife Lake.
The lake itself is ideal for fishing, boating, and swimming. Local civic groups host family-friendly events, such as movies in the park, an ice fishing derby, Christmas events, and others. Downtown Fife Lake features shopping venues, art galleries, and restaurants, all within a short walk from the lake.
The focus of this guide is on the village of Fife Lake, Michigan. Appropriate topics for this category include online resources representing the village itself, or any individuals, businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, or events within the village.
Recommended Resources
Situated and 200 acres of fresh pasture, the cattle farm raises Scottish Highland cattle, offering 100% organically raised beef, in both the Scottish Highland and Angus breeds. Grass-fed and grass-finished, whole, half, and quarter options are available, along with assorted cuts and hamburger meat, and other small packages. Chicken may also be available on request, using a local certified USDA processing facility. Its location, contacts, beef products, and delivery options are posted.
http://www.birgysfarm.com/
Situated and facia lake, its log chalet and cottage as suitable for a couple's retreat or a family getaway. Both units are two bedrooms, one bath, and equipped with kitchens and access to a private beach area. Only a short walk to downtown Faith Lake, Michigan, and its shops and restaurants, there is also a large park across the street with tennis, baseball, skateboard, and playground facilities. Several photographs in the list of features of amenities are provided.
http://www.fifelakemichigan.com/
The Fife Lake, Michigan congregation meets and Sunday mornings for a Sunday school and worship, and Sunday afternoons, and on Wednesday evenings for Bible study and prayer. A schedule of events and an introduction to the church are presented, along with hey statement of faith and an introduction to the church's pastor. A sermon archive, photo gallery, information about the church's stewardship programs and other ministries, and several educational articles are included.
http://fifelakebaptist.com/
The education-oriented nonprofit has the goal of increasing understanding of the history of the Fife Lake, Michigan community. Its museum includes several artifacts and stories of the region's history, as well as a representation of an 1880s rural school, a 1930s fire truck, firefighting equipment and uniforms from over the years, and a self-guided tour of 5 Lakes historic buildings. A statement of the organization's purpose and history of Fife Lake is presented.
https://www.fifelakehistoricalsociety.org/
Family owned and operated, the restaurant is situated in downtown Fife Lake, Michigan, across the street from the village beach, offering a view of the lake from any of its table seats and its a deck during the warmer months. The restaurant serves a variety of dishes, from soup to salads, to steaks, and broasted chicken, as well as some Mexican-inspired dishes and a few seafood options. Its location, dining hours, customer reviews, contacts, and employment opportunities are presented.
https://www.fifelakeinn.com/
The family-operated business is partnered with 70 other independent stores, offering pork, beef, and chicken, with all of its meat packaged on-site daily and ground fresh daily. Its meat department is featured here, along with produce, deli, and catering services. Other resources include weekly advertisements and specials, the ability for local customers to order online for later pick up or to subscribe to an email list for special offers. Discount coupons are available.
https://www.fifelakevillagemarket.com/
The K-12 public school district consists of two campuses, located a few minutes apart: Fife Lake Elementary school (PK-3) and Fife Lake Middle/High School (4-12). Each of our campuses is featured, including locations, school schedules, announcements, office numbers and hours, and the staff directory. Information about its food service, teen health center, pest control advisory, athletics programs, fitness center, policy information, and parent resources are included.
https://forestarea.org/
Originally founded in 1966 as RayClay Manufacturing, the business was down in Rochester, Michigan. In 1973, the business was moved to Mandan, and reopen as Hayes Manufacturing. Over the years the company transition from being a shop-for-hire operation to one that exclusively manufactures its own power transmission product line. In 1990, the business moved to a new plant on 29 acres in Fife Lake, Michigan, where it currently is. Its products, Support resources, and distributors are featured.
https://www.hayescouplings.com/
The official municipal website offers an introduction to the village, including members of his village council, boards, and commissions, council meeting calendars, agendas, and minutes. Village hours and contacts, as well as board vacancies, are posted to the site, and an application may be downloaded, along with policy documents, zoning maps and information, and other reports and documentation. A gallery of photographs and links to other local online resources are included.
https://www.fifelakevillage.org/
