Traverse City, Michigan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Traverse City, Michigan
City
Downtown Traverse City Grand Traverse County Courthouse Boardman–Ottaway River Traverse City State Hospital State Theatre
Flag Seal Logo
Etymology: French: la grande traverse (the long crossing)
Nickname(s):  "Traverse", "T.C.", "The Cherry Capital (of the World)", "Cherryland", "Queen City of the North", "Coast Guard City", "Hockeytown North"
Traverse City, Michigan Location in Michigan Show map of Michigan Traverse City, Michigan Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Counties	Grand Traverse Leelanau
Settled	June 13, 1847; 177 years ago (1847-06-13)
Incorporated	April 18, 1881 (village) May 18, 1895 (city)
Founded by	Perry Hannah, Albert Lay, Horace Boardman
Government
• Type	Council–manager
Area
• City	8.61 sq mi (22.30 km2)
• Land	8.28 sq mi (21.43 km2)
• Water	0.34 sq mi (0.87 km2)
Elevation	626 ft (191 m)
Population  (2020)
• City	15,678
• Estimate  (2023)	15,707
• Density	1,894.39/sq mi (731.43/km2)
• Metro	153,448 (Traverse City metropolitan area)
Demonym(s)	"Traverse Citian(s)"
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)	49684, 49685, 49686, 49696
Area code(s)	231
FIPS code	26-80340
GNIS feature ID	1615042

Traverse City (/ˈtrævərs/ TRAV-ərss) is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the seat of government of Grand Traverse County, although it partly extends into Leelanau County. The city's population was 15,678 at the 2020 census, while the four-county Traverse City metropolitan area had 153,448 residents. Traverse City is the largest city in Northern Michigan.

Traverse City is at the head of the East and West arms of Grand Traverse Bay, a 32-mile-long (51 km) bay of Lake Michigan. Grand Traverse Bay is divided into arms by the 18-mile-long (29 km) Old Mission Peninsula, which is attached at its base to Traverse City. The city borders four townships–East Bay, Elmwood, Garfield, and Peninsula–all of which contain substantial suburban sprawl.

Traverse City is nicknamed "the Cherry Capital of the World", as the area surrounding Grand Traverse Bay is a hotspot for cherry production. The city hosts the National Cherry Festival, attracting approximately 500,000 visitors annually. The Traverse City area is also known for its wine production. Two American Viticultural Areas are adjacent to the city. Traverse City is home to the Traverse City State Hospital, a former state psychiatric institution, and Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City.

History

Traverse City is named after the Grand Traverse Bay, which the city heads. The bay earned its name from 18th-century French voyageurs who made la grande traverse, or "the long crossing", across the mouth of bay. On Old Mission peninsula, Rev Peter Doughtery started the first permanent settlement in 1839.

Downtown Traverse City as viewed from West Grand Traverse Bay

In 1847, Captain Boardman of Naperville, Illinois, purchased the land at the mouth of the Boardman River at the head of the west arm of the bay. During that year the captain, his son, and their employees built a dwelling and sawmill near the mouth of the river. In 1851 the Boardmans sold the sawmill to Hannah, Lay & Co (Perry Hannah, Albert Tracy Lay and James Morgan), who improved the mill greatly. The increased investment in the mill attracted additional settlers to the new community.

As of 1853, the only operating post office in the Grand Traverse Bay region was the one located at Old Mission, which was then known as "Grand Traverse". While in Washington, D.C. in 1852, Mr. Lay had succeeded in getting the U.S. Post Office to authorize a new post office at his newer settlement. As the newer settlement had become known as "Grand Traverse City", Lay proposed this name for its post office, but the Post Office Department clerk suggested dropping the "Grand" from the name, as to limit confusion between this new office and the one at nearby Old Mission. Mr. Lay agreed to the name "Traverse City" for the post office, and the village took on this name.

In December 1872, rail service arrived in Traverse City via a Traverse City Rail Road Company spur from the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad line at Walton Junction. This opened up the area to settlement and industrial development.

Geography

Boardman River between downtown Traverse City and Grand Traverse Bay

Traverse City is a part of the greater Northern Michigan region. The city is the main inland port of the Grand Traverse Bay—a long, natural harbor separated from the waters of Lake Michigan by the Leelanau Peninsula, and divided longitudinally almost evenly by a narrow peninsula of tiered hillsides and farmland called Old Mission Peninsula.

The most prominent of the city's waterways is the Boardman River. Along with Boardman Lake, the river is part of the Boardman River Watershed. The Boardman’s 287-square-mile (740 km²) watershed contributes one-third of the water volume to the bay and is one of Michigan’s top-ten fisheries, with more than 36 miles (58 km) of its 179 miles (288 km) designated as a Blue Ribbon trout fishery. It is also a state-designated "Natural River".

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.66 square miles (22.43 km²), of which, 8.33 square miles (21.57 km²) of it is land and 0.33 square miles (0.85 km²) is water.

Suburbs

• East Bay Township, Michigan
• Elmwood Township
• Garfield Township
• Greilickville
• Holiday Hills
• Peninsula Township
• Long Lake Township

Climate

Its location near the 45th parallel is tempered by the strong and moderating effects of Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay, which have a particularly noteworthy effect on the peninsulas that branch north of the city. As a result, they have viticulture and Cherry orchards. Consequently, it generally experiences warm, mild summers and severe winters. Lake Michigan especially, but also Grand Traverse Bay, greatly impact the area's diverse coastal weather patterns, which occasionally consist of sudden and/or large amounts of precipitation during the seasonally active periods. Lake-effect snowfall constitutes a large percentage of the total annual snow accumulation, which averages around 80 inches (203 cm). Periods of snowfall typically last from November to April, although light snow as late as May or as early as late September sometimes occur.

Traverse City's record high temperature is 105 °F (41 °C), recorded in 1936, and its low temperature is −33 °F (−36 °C), recorded on February 17, 1979.

Demographics

Of Traverse City's 15,678 residents in 2020, 15,341 lived in Grand Traverse County, with 337 (about 2.1%) in Leelanau County.

Religion

Traverse City is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord. It is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan and served by Grace Episcopal Church.

Economy

Companies headquartered in Traverse City include Hagerty Insurance Agency and Oilgear. 20Fathoms, a technology incubator, is also located there.

Arts and culture

The Wellington Inn, a 1905 mansion in Traverse City's Boardman Neighborhood Historic District.

Tourists crowd Clinch Park Beach during summer months in Traverse City

Most of Traverse City's economy is based on tourism.

In November, Beer Week offers tours of breweries, samplings, and workshops.

The National Cherry Festival, held annually in July, features parades, fireworks, an air show, carnival rides, election of festival royalty, music, a pie-eating contest, and cherries.

The Traverse City Film Festival was held in July and August from 2005 to 2019.

The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival features jumping, show hunting and equestrian competitions.

Traverse City State Park, with about 250 campsites, is located east of the city, and features a beach on the East Bay arm of Grand Traverse Bay.

The Boardman River Nature Center is the interpretive center and management headquarters for the Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve, a 505-acre local park and natural area.

Traverse City is located immediately adjacent to two American Viticultural Areas, the Leelanau Peninsula AVA and the Old Mission Peninsula AVA. There are over 50 wineries near Traverse City. Located in the harbor of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy is the T/S State of Michigan, a 224-foot (68 m) former Navy submarine surveillance vessel. The vessel is used as a classroom and laboratory while cadets of the academy are underway and shore side.

A tall ship, the schooner Manitou, is berthed at Traverse City, and offers passages to the public.

Excursion passengers trains from Traverse City have included a Cherry Festival train in 2008, and a "dinner train" from 1996 to 2004.

Performing arts and museum

The City Opera House features plays, movies, and performances.

The Traverse Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1952.

The Dennos Museum Center is located on the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.

Historical markers

Historic postcard of Building 50, c. 1930

There are eleven recognized Michigan historical markers in the Traverse City area. They are:

• Bingham District No. 5 Schoolhouse
• City Opera House
• Congregation Beth El
• Grand Traverse Bay
• Grand Traverse County Courthouse
• Great Lakes Sport Fishery
• Ladies Library Association
• Novotny's Saloon
• Park Place Hotel
• Perry Hannah House
• Traverse City State Hospital

Libraries

Traverse City is served by the Traverse Area District Library, which has six branch libraries in Grand Traverse County.

Sports

The Huntington Rink indoor arena is used primarily for ice hockey, and is the home of the Traverse City North Stars hockey team.

During their annual offseason, the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League hold their training camp at Traverse City's Centre Ice Arena. In addition to training camp every September, the Red Wings host an NHL Prospect Tournament, consisting of prospects of participating teams around the league. In 2021, the Traverse City Prospect Tournament consisted of players from the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, and St. Louis Blues. For this reason, Traverse City is often referred to as Hockeytown North, in reference to Detroit's nickname, Hockeytown.

Parks and recreation

Traverse City has over 30 park and recreational properties.

The Grand Traverse County Civic Center is a sports complex featuring seven baseball/softball fields, a skatepark, a walking trail, an amphitheater, sledding hill, pavilion, playground, an indoor pool, and an indoor hockey rink. The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA features four complexes with swimming, soccer, and tennis.

The TART trail system is a series of non-motorized recreational trails in and around Traverse City.

Education

Public schools

Public education is administered by Traverse City Area Public Schools. The district includes 11 elementary schools, two middle schools, three high schools: Traverse City Central, Traverse City West, and Traverse City High School.

Private schools

Traverse City offers a number of private schools.

Interlochen Center for the Arts features Interlochen Arts Academy, a private fine arts boarding school. Founded in 1928, Interlochen Center for the Arts is one of the nation's first and foremost institutions dedicated to the development of young artists. The roots of Interlochen began with Joseph Maddy and his founding of the National Music Camp now known as Interlochen Arts Camp and the, which bring student and professional artists from around the globe.

For over 45 years, The Pathfinder School has been inspiring children to achieve their personal best as lifelong learners, young global citizens, creative thinkers, and stewards of the Earth. The Pathfinder School was officially founded in 1972 by Arthur and Nancy Baxter alongside a commitment of teachers from Interlochen, The Leelanau School, and Traverse City Public Schools.

The Traverse Children's House emerged as a unified Montessori school when it opened its main campus in 2002 on North Long Lake Road. This beautiful building was intentionally designed to enhance the school’s Montessori philosophy and teaching method for infants through 6th grade. The Children’s House expanded to include 7th and 8th grade in 2014. In 2022, this growing young adolescent program became known as Compass Montessori Junior High and moved to its own campus in downtown Traverse City.

Religious schools

Exterior of St. Francis High School

Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools administers Catholic schools, including St. Francis High School.

Other religious schools include:

• Traverse City Christian School
• Trinity Lutheran School
• Traverse Bay Mennonite School
• Traverse City Adventist School

Higher education

Northwestern Michigan College Hagerty Center

Traverse City is home to Northwestern Michigan College, a two-year community college. Its annual enrollment is around 5,100. One of its campuses is at the Cherry Capital Airport, and offers aviation and auto service classes. Another campus is at the Hagerty Center on Grand Traverse Bay, which is home to Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Great Lakes Culinary Institute, Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, and the Hagerty Conference Center.

Media

Print

The Traverse City Record-Eagle is a daily newspaper circulated in the 13 counties surrounding the city, and is the newspaper of record for Grand Traverse County. Daily editions of the Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News, and The Grand Rapids Press are available.

Traverse is a monthly regional magazine.

Village Press, and Arbutus Press, are located in Traverse City.

Television

• Channel 7: WPBN-TV (NBC)
• Channel 29: WGTU (ABC)

Radio

WLDR studios

There are 16 commercial radio stations in a variety of radio formats. Talk radio stations include WTCM, WWMN, WMKT, WSRT, and WLDR. AM 1310 broadcasts sports. WKLT broadcasts rock music, and WNMC is a community public radio station. There are three religious radio stations: W201CM (a translator at 88.1) and WLJN AM/FM 89.9 FM and 1400 AM. WLDR plays an adult contemporary format. Interlochen Center for the Arts broadcasts the NPR member station called Interlochen Public Radio; it serves a large portion of Northwest Lower Michigan via two stations.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Airports

A Coast Guard helicopter training at Cherry Capital Airport

Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City is the fourth largest airport in Michigan.

Buses

Indian Trails offers intercity bus service to St. Ignace to the north and Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo to the south.

Bay Area Transportation Authority offers local bus service.

Major highways

Sign on M-22 in Greilickville

• US 31 is a major north–south route running through the city. In Michigan, the highway largely parallels the shore of Lake Michigan.
• M-22 is a scenic highway with a terminus in Traverse City. The highway loops around the Leelanau Peninsula, and follows the shore of Lake Michigan south to Manistee.
• M-37 is a north–south route that passes through the city. The highway's northern terminus is at Mission Point Light, north of Traverse City.
• M-72 is an east–west route that traverses the Lower Peninsula.

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City is responsible for maritime and land-based search and rescue in the northern Great Lakes region. Traverse City is one of two designated Coast Guard cities in Michigan, the other being Grand Haven.

Notable people

Sister cities

• Tsuchiyama, Shiga, Japan.

See also

In Spanish: Traverse City para niños