| Glen Lake gives the vacationist his first glimpse of the charm of the real northern country, that indefinable something that is in the air, and which draws summer visitors in every-increasing numbers to this beautiful section each year. Here the sky is bluer blue and hills a greener green, and as the country becomes more upland, the spell of the north is revealed. — Traverse City Record Eagle, July 31, 1926. |
| Glen Arbor
Est. 1848
Glen Arbor is situated on Lake Michigan's Sleeping Bear Bay at the mouth of the Crystal River, opposite South Manitou Island. It is located 30 miles northwest of Traverse City, and 30 miles southwest of Northport. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore surrounds it.
"Glen Lake! Need one say more? To say Glen Lake in the middle west is the same as saying the Alps in Switzerland, Atlantic City in the east and Palm Beach in the south.
Glen Lake's reputation as the most beautiful body of inland water in the United States is recognized. Story and picture have very thoroughly presented Glen Lake's beauty to the world and little more can be said or pictured to promote this beautiful lake.
Cupped between high forest clad hills, which hold the blue lake as though in the gigantic palm of nature, the crystal water mirrors the forests, branch for branch and leaf for leaf. When the lake slumbers peacefully one may almost reach the cool depths with the naked eye, so clear is the water, but when the breeze comes dancing across from Lake Michigan, the surface scintillates like a field of gems, breaking into billions of sparkling points.
Of Glen Lake Prof. Laphan of Columbia University said, through the columns of the National Geographic Magazine, "Glen Lake is one of the five most beautiful lakes in the world". Three of the others were in Europe and the only other one of the American continent was Lake Louise, Canada." — Traverse City Record Eagle, July 31, 1926
What's Best?
The view from Inspiration Point—Glen Lake, the Sleeping Bear Sand Dune, Lake Michigan and Manitou Islands. The Historic District of Glen Haven now part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, just west of Glen Arbor. The Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes that rise 400 feet above the shore of Lake Michigan and stretch from Sleeping Bear Bay on the north to the village of Empire on the south, a distance of five miles.
Where to Meet Locals?
At Art's Tavern, anytime. For coffee at Leelanau Roasting. Waving a flag during the 4th of July Parade. Enjoying great food at the Women's Club Annual Smorgasbord. Sizing up the catch at the Sportsman Shop.
About the School District
Glen Lake Community Schools is a Class C, K-12 school with 950 students. The district covers 200 square miles of southwestern Leelanau County including the towns of Glen Arbor, Empire, Cedar, and Maple City.
Historical Sketch
About 1848 John LaRue moved from South Manitou Island to set up a trading post at Sleeping Bear Bay. LaRue traded with the Native Americans camped in the area, and wooding stations soon provided fuel for passing steamers. Wood products from surrounding forests became Leelanau's first commodity. As more schooners and steamers traveled Lake Michigan, ports such as Glen Arbor and Glen Haven provided fuel for them from the many wooding stations that marked the shoreside settlement.
Click for a map of Glen Arbor
Glen Arbor Events (from the Leelanau Calendar)
06/23/10 - Lanphier Observatory in Glen Arbor
06/30/10 - Story Hour at the Cottage Book Shop/Glen Arbor
07/02/10 - Beach Bards Bonfire
07/16/10 - Sky, Land Garden - Paitings by Carol Spaulding
07/22/10 - Musica Batteria Concert – Top of the Bay Mountain
07/23/10 - Looking Closely: Oil Paintings by Peggy Hawley
07/23/10 - Lori Feldpausch/Plein Air Painter/Gallery Show
07/23/10 - Book Event with Jody Marquis
07/24/10 - Story Time and book signing with Gary Wise
07/24/10 - Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear Picnic
07/25/10 - Mulebone/Manitou Music Festival
07/27/10 - 4th Annual Running Bear 5K Run/Walk & 1/2 Mile Kids' Run
07/28/10 - Story Time and book signing with Charles Murphy
07/29/10 - Western Brass Quintet/Manitou Music Festival
07/30/10 - Anne-Marie Oomen Workshop: Path to Page
07/30/10 - Grace Dickinson/Historic Photographs
07/30/10 - Space In Between: Paintings by Margo Burian
07/31/10 - Book Event with Michael Federspiel
08/04/10 - Book Event with Bryan Gruley
08/04/10 - The Bowzies/Manitou Music Festival
08/06/10 - Views of the Dune Country: Pastels by Beth Bricker
08/06/10 - Art Exhibition: Views of the Dune Country by Beth Bricker
08/07/10 - Plein Air Paint Out
08/07/10 - Plein Air Paint Out Art Sale & Reception
08/08/10 - Denice Franke & Mudslide/Manitou Music Festival
08/10/10 - Summer Singers/Manitou Music Festival
08/11/10 - Mystery Book Event with Elizabeth Buzzelli and Aaron Stander
08/11/10 - Glen Lake Library Annual Vintage Book Sale "Preview Party"
08/12/10 - Glen Lake Library Annual Vintage Book Sale
08/13/10 - Landscapes by Neil Walling
08/13/10 - Glen Lake Library Annual Vintage Book Sale, "Bag Sale Day"!
08/13/10 - Jane Batteiger/Images of Leelanau
08/13/10 - Looking for the Unexpected: Landscapes by Neil Walling
08/18/10 - Trina Hamlin & The Laws/Manitou Music Festival
08/20/10 - Celeste Crouch/Gallery Show
08/20/10 - Escaping Notice: Paintings by Margie Guyot
08/27/10 - "Fiber Expressions": Sculptural Weaving by Holly Sorenson
09/02/10 - Mary Beth Day:Painter
09/03/10 - Lake Michigan Close-up: Paintings by Connie Cronenwett
09/16/10 - Gail Martin:Poet
09/29/10 - Amy Falstrom:Painter
10/07/10 - Plein Air Paint Out
10/14/10 - Pat Willard:Photographer
11/11/10 - Dawn Erickson:Textile Designer
Glen Arbor Photos
Glen Arbor Links
Glen Lake Community Schools
LeBear Resort & Spa
The Homestead, America's Freshwater Resort
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