Surrounded by Almira Township, Lake Ann, Michigan is a small village in northeastern Benzie County, in the northwest Lower Peninsula.
The village is situated on the northern and northeastern banks of the body of water by the same name, and the smaller Bryan Lake is entirely within the boundaries of the village. Several other lakes are nearby. The Platte River, south of the village limits, flows through Lake Ann, emptying into Platte Bay of Lake Michigan.
The chief routes through the village are Maple Street and Lake Ann Road, which intersect downtown. North Reynolds Road forms the village's western border.
Cities and villages within twenty miles of Lake Ann include Honor, Traverse City, Empire, Beulah, Thompsonville, and Benzonia, while the unincorporated communities of Hardwood Acres, Cedar Run, Bendon, and Interlochen are within ten miles of the village.
With a current population of just under three hundred, the village's population has fluctuated widely, from a low of 31 to a high of 271, since it first appeared on the census rolls at 241 in 1900.
Unsurprisingly, given the lakes and rivers in and around the village, its economy is largely based on outdoor recreation and seasonal tourism today.
The first European-American settlers in the area were the Addison P. Wheelock family, who came in 1862. Mr. Wheelock named the lake for his wife, although it was originally known as Ann Lake rather than Lake Ann. As others settled in the township, Mr. Wheelock became an influential man, whose home was the site of the first meeting of Almira Township in 1864.
Like many Michigan towns, the early growth of the community had much to do with the lumber industry and the railroad. The Manistee & Northeastern Railroad opened a depot in Lake Ann in 1888 to facilitate the transport of lumber from the village and surrounding region. A post office was opened on January 30, 1891, with Elijah Ransom as postmaster, and Lake Ann was incorporated as a village the following year. By 1897, its population was nearly seven hundred. Unfortunately, that didn't last.
On July 4, 1897, a fire destroyed most of the village. Although the village had fire brigades, they were unable to halt the spread of flames, and it was nearly an hour before help arrived from Traverse City. Although the village was rebuilt, it was on a much smaller scale. In 1914, another fire destroyed large parts of the village, and there was a third fire in 1918.
For three decades, the village suffered significant population losses. Nevertheless, the village rebounded, although never again reaching a population of three hundred. Despite a population of under a hundred, Lake Ann had a school in the 1920s, as well as a church, a hotel, a doctor's office, real estate offices, a dressmaker, a blacksmith shop, a milliner, two general stores, and some other businesses. This included a general store built in 1892, which had survived the fires and still stands today.
By the 1920s, the lumber industry was in decline and, with it, the importance of the railroad. Over the years, the community transitioned into a resort community, its focus turning to tourism. Within the village and the surrounding region, there are several cottages, on or near the lake. The village includes a bed and breakfast between Bryan Lake and Lake Ann, in the western portion of the village, as well as a restaurant, coffee shop, ice cream shop, and a local brewery, as well as a grocery store, churches, a library, and a historical society.
The focus of this portion of our guide is on the small village of Lake Ann, Michigan. Appropriate resources include those pertaining to the village government, as well as local businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, and events. It may also include resources outside of the village limits which are nevertheless considered to be part of the Lake Ann community.
Recommended Resources
Ann Lake Property Owners Association
Open to property owners on the lake, and those who own property with deeded legal access to the lake, membership in the ALPOA helps to support the programs and activities of the non-profit organization in protecting, preserving, and improving the lake. A history of the village and township is put forth, along with maps of the lake, and an archive of past issues of the Michigan Riparian Magazine. Guidelines for activities on or near the lake are set forth, and contacts are posted.
https://www.annlake.org/
Housed in a building constructed in the late 1940s as a tea house and fishing supply store, operating as a restaurant for several years, the brewery offers a line of craft beers, ciders, meads, wines, and sodas, which are featured here, along with promotional apparel. Its location, a map, hours of operation, contacts, a contact form, and social media links are provided, along with a drink menu, its patio pet policies, announcements of special events, and a calendar of events.
https://www.lakeannbrewing.com/
Created in 1948, the Christian summer camp and retreat facilities are accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). A statement of faith, awards, recognitions, and volunteer opportunities are featured, and its location, mailing address, office hours, and contacts are posted. Summer camp programs, dates, prices, and promotional material are put forth, and scheduled retreats are documented, and a virtual tour of the facilities and dining area are included.
https://lakeanncamp.com/
Provided by True North Web Works, the site serves as a directory for the Lake Ann area. Featured is a profile of the village, along with listings for local activities, services, real estate listings, camping facilities, organizations, lodging facilities, dining establishments, camping facilities, museums, churches, and schools, as well as contacts for the Lake Ann post office, library, village hall, and township hall. A classified section is included, with contacts for new listing requests.
http://www.lakeann.com/
Opened in 2012, The Stone Oven is next door to the Lake Ann Brewing Company, with which it has a synergistic relationship, with LABC providing the beer, while Stone Oven provides the food. Its location, hours of operation, and a telephone number are published on the site, the proprietors are introduced, and the history of the restaurant is given. Other resources include a menu, announcements, and a gallery of photographs depicting the exterior and interior views of the facilities and grounds.
https://stoneovenla.com/
Based in Lake Ann, Michigan, the web design company specializes in website design and publishing services, including initial consultations, site cost estimates, sample page layouts, content creation, page creation, search engine optimization, site testing, revisions, and launch, as well as ongoing site maintenance. A portfolio of previous website productions is provided, and general information on the benefits of having a website is featured. Contacts are included.
http://www.truenorthwebworks.com/
The small village is in Benzie County, in the northwest portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The official municipal website presents a profile and history of the village, schedules of village council meetings and upcoming events, meeting minutes, and access to various reports, forms, and documents. Contacts for the village clerk, treasurer, and administrative offices are posted on the site, and a directory of local businesses and organizations is included, with links to other resources.
https://lakeann-mi.com/
