Situated nine miles from the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, the village of Northport, Michigan is on the east side of the peninsula, along Grand Traverse Bay, in the northwest Lower Peninsula.
The only other incorporated municipality within twenty-five miles of Northport is the village of Suttons Bay, about twelve miles to the south, while Traverse City is just under thirty miles to the south. The unincorporated communities of Omena and Peshawbestown are under ten miles from Northport, also to the south.
The main routes through the village are M-22 and M-201. M-22 loops north along Lake Michigan to Northport, then turns south along the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay, while M-201 begins on the south side of Northport at M-22, then zig-zags to provide a path through the village, connecting with East Woolsey Lake Road, which continues north and northeast to Leg Lakes and Leelanau State Park.
Long before the first European-Americans came to the Leelanau Peninsula, the entire region was inhabited by Ottawa and Ojibwa tribes, whose settlements were largely along the lakeshore.
The current village of Northport is the result of the consolidation of two early communities, Waukazooville and Northport.
The earliest was Waukazooville, which was founded by the Reverend George Smith and Chief Peter Waukazoo, who moved a Presbyterian mission to the Ottawa people from Holland, Michigan to the Leelanau Peninsula to avoid a smallpox epidemic in 1848. Coming to the area by boat and canoe, they platted a regular townsite, complete with uniform lot sizes and streets, naming the community for the Ottawa chief. James McLaughlin and his son-in-law, William H. Case, who had been sent there as missionaries by the Waukazoo band of Ottawas at the Old Wing Mission in Holland, built the first house in Waukazooville in 1849.
In 1852, Deacon Joseph Dame platted another village nearby, naming it Northport, for its location on the peninsula. On June 13, 1856, a post office was established in Northport, which served both Northport and Waukazooville, with Aaron B. Page as postmaster. That year, a sawmill was built by William Voice.
Eventually, the two townsites came to be recognized as one community known as Northport. Several general stores were opened in the late 1850s, and new settlers came mostly from New York or Canada. As the largest town in Leelanau County in the late 1800s, Northport served as the county seat from 1863 to 1883.
Beginning on the Rev. Smith's farm, a cherry industry emerged in and around Northport that continues today. Growers shipped cherries to nearby cities and towns.
Including the former community of Waukazooville, Northport was incorporated as a village in 1903.
Today, Northport is both residential and a resort community, with a marina, a half-mile of public beaches, and a wooded walking trail. The village includes light industries, as well as retail and service industries serving local residents as well as year-round visitors. The village hosts several events throughout the year.
Northport's peak population was 648 in 2000, although it has also had populations above 600 in 1940 and 1990. In 2010, its population was 526.
The focal point of this portion of our guide is on the small village of Northport, Michigan. Appropriate resources include websites representing the village government, as well as local schools, places of worship, organizations, businesses, industries, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities.
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The floral design company and specialty cut flower grower is located on North Warren Street in the village of Northport, Michigan. The address, office phone number, and fax numbers are put forth, along with an online contact form, profile of the business, and an introduction to the proprietor. Specializing in creating floral designs for special occasions, a gallery of photographs highlights its designs for wedding decor, cocktails and dinners, cut flowers, and specialty items.
https://www.fieldofflowersnorth.com/
Also known as the Northport Light and the Cat's Head Point Light, the lighthouse is at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, north of Northport, Michigan. The current light was built in 1858, replacing an earlier tower built in 1852. The lighthouse board of directors and staff are identified, along with its corporate members, and the Friends of Leelanau State Park. Its physical and mailing addresses are posted, and telephone numbers, an online contact form, and event calendar are included.
https://www.grandtraverselighthouse.com/
In 2006, the Hallstedt family purchased fifty-three acres of land near Northport, Michigan, most of which consisted of an old cherry orchard, which had to be removed and replanted. A profile of the business and an introduction to the proprietors are set forth, and its cherry and flower products are highlighted, including available varieties, and direct-ship online ordering facilities and contacts. A price list is included, along with a list of retailers carrying its products.
https://www.hhcherries.net/
Leelanau Township Community Foundation
Founded in 1945, the Foundation raises funds to help the needs of township residents, and to build permanent endowment funds, seeking local volunteers, and involvement by local youth and other community members. Its board of directors, staff, partners, and Youth Advisory Council are featured, and scholarship and grant applications may be accessed through the site, which identifies annual grant awards and scholarship recipients. Sponsored events and projects are highlighted.
https://www.leelanaufoundation.org/
Formed in 2003, the Northport Museum built on a collection of local artifacts and memorabilia that had been collected for the 1999 Sesquicentennial, and later displayed in the old potato building at Haserot Park. The organization has since moved a few times, and is currently located in the former Masonic Lodge building, across from the post office. Its history, contacts, and a calendar of events are published on the site, along with photo archives, a video history, and membership information.
https://www.northportmuseum.com/
Northport Omena Chamber of Commerce
Representing the villages of Northport and Omena, the Chamber is headquartered in Northport and is made up of businesses on the Leelanau Peninsula. Featured is a Chamber membership application, board of directors, meeting schedules, and a calendar of events. Maps of Leelanau Township, Northport, and Omena are posted, giving the locations of area attractions and businesses. Other resources include a directory of member businesses and a guide to local attractions and events.
https://northportomenachamber.org/
Offering a K-12th-grade curriculum on one campus, the small, rural school in Northport, Michigan promises small class sizes and comprehensive, leveled literacy programs, drama, art, music, Spanish, and a technology program, as well as junior varsity and varsity soccer, basketball, and volleyball. A district calendar, staff directory, student handbook, and information about its library, enrichment programs, and athletic programs are included. School board agendas and minutes are posted.
https://northportps.org/
Formed in 1863, the village is in Leelanau Township, Leelanau County, Michigan, in the northern Portion of the Leelanau Peninsula, along Grand Traverse Bay. The official municipal website posts a village calendar, meeting agendas, and minutes for the village council, zoning commission, planning commission, and other village and township departments and boards, along with village office hours and contacts, departmental contacts, and access to various ordinances, forms, and other documents.
https://villageofnorthport.net/
