5K runs have become popular across the United States and what better place to host one than Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The folks at PRESERVE Historic Sleeping Bear have organized a Labor Day weekend event that is sure become a tradition for the area. Not only is the location one of the most beautiful in the nation,  but  all proceeds go toward preserving the historical farmsteads, outbuildings, cemetery, orchards, and the old schoolhouse located in the PRESERVE Historic Sleeping Bear.

Charles Olsen Barn in Port Oneida Historic District

Even in a national park, runners are often confined to main roads. On this event, runners will be routed in places not normally available. Runner, walkers and watchers will experience the natural landscape of meadows, forests, bluffs and spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands. But that’s not all. Participants will be routed through historic farmsteads including the Werner Farm, Thoreson Farm, the Miller Barn, Kelderhouse Farm and the Port Oneida Schoolhouse.

Running/Walking Path, Port Oneida

Children can get in on the action as well. At the conclusion of the main race, families will gather at the Port Oneida Schoolhouse for a free quarter-mile Schoolhouse Dash.

At the conclusion of the race, winners will be awarded prizes in several categories. A celebration with food and drink follows the Schoolhouse Dash that will be fun for the whole family.

PRESERVE Volunteers

Port Oneida Historic District is one of the many gems of Sleeping Bear Dunes. The late 18^th century town and farmsteads still remain and are open to the public on special occasions. PRESERVE is working diligently to restore and preserve hundreds of structures and natural landscapes for everyone to enjoy for generations to come. See what life was like at the turn of the century in rural northern Michigan.

Charles Olsen House courtesy of William Wilson, photographer

The race begins at the Charles Olsen Farm, located north of Glen Arbor and The Homestead on M-22 just west of Port Oneida Road. Participants should register online for $20 or pay $30 at the barn.  Packet pick-up is between 7:30 am and 8:45 am at the barn. The race begins at 9:00 am sharp. For more details visit PRSERVE or call 231-334-6103.

Treasure hunters dream of finding historic ships lost long ago in the stormy waters of Lake Michigan. The Westmoreland, one of the most sought after ship wrecks in the Great Lakes, was discovered a few weeks ago in the waters of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The ship is sitting upright on the lake floor fully in tact with the boiler and engine still in place.

Sketch of Westmoreland courtesy of MichiganMysteries.com

The Westmoreland, one of the earliest propeller ships on the Great Lakes, was built in 1853 as a passenger ship. She was a 200-foot long and built with large arches on either side of the hull giving it strength and stability in the often stormy early December weather. She was said to be carrying a strongbox full of gold and valuable brandy and premium whiskey worth millions today.

Propeller Ship similiar to the Westmoreland

The steamer left Chicago on December 2, 1854 bound for Mackinac Island and then on to Buffalo, New York where it was scheduled to remain for the winter. The ship was forced to take shelter in Milwaukee for several days before heading back out to sea. The captain again had to seek shelter near the Mantiou Islands when another storm kicked up. Waves bashed the ship as ice formed on the deck causing it to crack. The ship was blown from the islands toward the shores of Sleeping Bear Dunes where it eventually sank.

The 34 passengers and crew on board scrambled to safety on three lifeboats. Two life boats made it to shore safely, but the third capsized while being lowered into the water, killing 17. It was said that the third lifeboat got caught on the crane that suspended it above the passenger deck.

Ross Richardson of Lake Ann, Michigan has been searching for the Westmoreland for many years. On July 7, 2010 he headed out for one of his many expeditions to find the lost vessel. His sonar equipment picked up a signal indicating something large lay on the lake bottom.  A deep-water dive confirmed that the ship was a propeller-type ship fitting the description of the Westmoreland.

Ross Richardson, courtesy of the Record-Eagle

The location of the wreck has not been released pending more investigation. The shipwreck belongs to the state of Michigan and is part of an underwater preserve but will eventually be open to the public for divers to explore.

Richardson has documented the history of the Westmoreland and provides a video of the dive after discovering the wreck the lake floor. You can find out more by visiting his MichiganMysteries.com website.

A 27-mile multi-use trail is being planned that would run through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The trail would start at the Leelanau-Benzie county line to north of Port Oneida. The concept includes making the trail more cycle-friendly while still appealing to hikers and runners. Surfacing the trail would also provide wheelchair access for those who normally are not able to experience the park. The current trail would be widened and surfaced to accommodate the needs.

Many local businesses in Glen Arbor area support the development of the trail. Some local residents and businesses feel that the only option for cycling in the area is along roadways such as M-22 and M-109 that can be dangerous as traffic increases during peak seasons. Existing two-track trails are too rugged for young children, the casual cyclist, rollerbladers, and the disabled. Tourists are often stuck in cars with few places to venture out into the park to enjoy its natural beauty. “Access” and “safety” seem to be the issue with proponents of the plan.

There are groups that have no problem with developing or even widening a trail, but are opposed to paving the trail with asphalt. Asphalt is ugly and doesn’t resonate with natural beauty of Leelanau. Runners prefer the softer packed-dirt surface to run on rather than the hardness of asphalt.

There are some who oppose the entire concept of a renovated trail. It is not about paving or not paving, widening or not widening; it is about leaving the natural landscape undisturbed. The National Lakeshore is under the protection of the federal government and thus should be protected from any development, even development that gives access to more people.

What do you think?

Port Oneida Fair Sign at First Historic Site

The Port Oneida Fair in Sleeping Bear Dunes is alive today and tomorrow with fun things to see and do. People of all ages were experiencing the rural cultural life of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. If tasting real honey and freshly churned butter is your style, then this is the place to be. Many demonstrations were taking place including weaving, quilting, rug making, pottery, and so much more. Musical performers were in abundance too. Great fun and educational experience for children.

Pottery Demonstration

Children Pet a Farm Horse

Children Learn to Be a Junior Ranger

Ranger Teaches a Youngster

Restored Thoreson Barn

Blacksmith Demonstration

Churning Butter Demonstration...Mmmmm!

Rug Hooking at Olsen Farm

Port Oneida is located a few miles north of Glen Arbor on M-22 just past The Homestead.

Port Oneida Fair

Leelanau County and the Grand Traverse area are all abuzz about the upcoming Port Oneida Fair that will open this Friday and Saturday in Sleeping Bear Dunes…and for good reason. Port Oneida is a part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and has become a museum of Midwest and Leelanau history. Each year in August historic sites are open to the pubic for two full days from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Visitors participate in tours, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. There is no admission charge for the fair but a park pass is required. For lodging and dining recommendations, visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau.

Six historic sites host the demonstrations of traditional trades and crafts of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Some of the demonstrations include making items that were needed in every household including brooms, soap, rugs, pottery, baskets, candles, and cloth. Visitors can watch the tasks farmers used to perform, such as hand cutting a log or mowing a field. Visitors tour farmstead homes, outbuildings, an orchard, and a school. Park rangers and volunteers are available to answer questions. Visitors walk, drive or take a horse-drawn wagon between sites. There are many hands-on activities so children can experience what life was like before TVs, computers, lawn mowers and cell phones.

The historic fair is hosted by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, PRESERVE Historic Sleeping Bear, Glen Arbor Art Association, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, Leelanau Historical Society, Leelanau Conservation District, Leelanau Chamber of Commerce, Manitou Islands Memorial Society, Michigan 26^th Civil War Re-enactors, and the Glen Arbor Business Association.

Port Oneida History

Historical records document that Port Oneida’s first resident was a German that landed in New York and then travelled by water to North Manitou Island in 1846. He worked as a fisherman for eight years when the US Government put settlement land up for sale. In 1852, Carsten Burfiend purchased 275 aces and built a home near Pyramid Point.  He continued to work as a fisherman and transported early settlers between the islands and the mainland. 

Other settlers followed and by 1860 Port Oneida had almost 90 residents, most from Germany and Prussia.  The early settlers worked as loggers and fisherman, and all built homestead farms to supply food for their families. Eventually businesses emerged to support the needs of the community, including a blacksmith, post office, general store and boarding house. Although almost all the settlers had farms, most were employed outside of these farms. Port Oneida was a close community of families that farmed the land for over 100 years working together, by going farm to farm harvesting and threshing.

The vast amount of trees in the area provided the lumber the steamships needed for fuel as they navigated the Lake Michigan waters. When the area’s dock was build a steamship named Oneida was the first to stop to refuel. The townspeople decided to name the town, Port Oneida, in honor of the first ship to visit its sandy shores.

The area thrived for many years, but with the advent of coal-burning ships, logging became a trade of the past. The loss of the logging industry had devastating effect on Port Oneida and by 1908 the town was abandoned.

Port Oneida is now within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore boundary and is one of the largest collections of farms from the early-settler time period that was never touched by modern technology. Today it is largest agricultural community in the United States under government ownership and protection.

It is amazing what people can do when they have a passion, heart and work together to accomplish something great. When a few local citizens learned that over 200 historic buildings and structures within Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore were scheduled for demolition, they took it upon themselves to challenge the National Park Service. In a very short time the grassroots effort grew and in 1998 the Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear (Preserve) was born.

Preserve is now the only organization working with the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as partner to preserve over 300 historic structures and cultural landscapes including farmsteads, cottages, barns, log cabins, inns, schoolhouses, fence posts, orchards, cemeteries and meadows. Their role is to raise funds and awareness of the preservation needs.

Preserve is doing a super job of involving the community, not only in raising funds but in the actual renovation of the structures. Most of the work is being completed by volunteers. Take a drive just north of Glen Arbor to witness volunteer carpenters, neighbors, and people from the community renovate the barns and outbuildings of a historic farm on M22. Preservation projects are scheduled throughout the summer and early autumn.

Preserve also has educational programs and events planned for the summer that you won’t want to miss. The Port Oneida Fair (August 13 – 14) offers two full days of demonstrations of the late 1800 and early 1900 traditions.

Visit the Programs and Events  for a calendar of events and preservation projects.

Got snow?  The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore does.  A lot of it!

This year’s winter wonderland is just too wonderful to pass up, so get out there and explore. Excellent snow conditions have inspired the park to schedule additional snowshoe hikes on Sunday, January 18^th and Sunday, January 25th.

These are in addition to the snowshoe walks offered every Saturday through the end of February or later, if conditions permit. Each hike will start by meeting at the Philip Hart Visitor Center (VC) in Empire at 1:00 p.m. If you don’t have your own snowshoes, you may use a pair free of charge by calling ahead for a reservation. Please note these popular walks have been using up all of our “loaner” snowshoes, so get your reservation in early!

Inside the Visitor Center, a park ranger will distribute the “loaner” snowshoes and provide basic snowshoeing instructions. Then the ranger will lead everyone in their own cars to the trailhead of the day. On the trail, the ranger will help participants identify flora and fauna, learn more about the Lakeshore’s unique features, and witness the effects winter has on both. Visitors should arrive prepared to be outside for about an hour and a half. To be most comfortable and warm, dress in layers and wear waterproof boots. The program will conclude by 3:00 p.m. at the trailhead. Note that the VC closes at 4:00 p.m., should you want or need to go back after the walk.

Snowshoeing is easy, fun, and good exercise! If you can walk, then you can snowshoe, so it is also an activity that can be enjoyed by all ages. The ranger-led hikes are mildly strenuous, yet they proceed at a leisurely pace for only 0.5 – 1.5 miles. This allows visitors an opportunity for discovery, adventure, and to look for signs of wildlife or evidence of ancient glaciers. Some snowshoers simply want to experience and enjoy a winter wonderland, and that is what you will find at the National Lakeshore. Be aware that Rangers usually select a different location each week, so experiences vary.

The walk and snowshoe loan are free. However, participants need to purchase a park entrance pass or display an annual pass in their vehicle to join in the fun. Park passes cost $10/vehicle and are good for seven days. The annual pass costs $20 and is valid for a year from the month of purchase. Teachers and other group leaders may also schedule a ranger to take their group snowshoeing this winter. Please call 231-326-5134, extension 328, for details and to make reservations. For more in-depth information about Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, go to www.nps.gov/slbe.

Climbing the dunes in the summer is great, but make the ascent with a sled in hand and you’re ready for the ride of a lifetime.

At the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, the ever popular “Dune Climb” is open for the sledding season as long as the snow is here. It’s a perfect destination for your cabin-fever kids and their sleds, toboggans, saucers, tubes, or plastic garbage bags.  Send them up the hill as far as they’d like and watch them speed down with wide smiles and whoops of joy.

The Dune Climb is located on M-109 between Empire and Glen Arbor.  A park pass is required for the Dune Climb.

The best priced lift and lodging packages with unlimited chances to win $25,000 in prizes-The Homestead celebrates its 25^Th Anniversary

In 1983, The Homestead set out to build a different type of Northern Michigan snow-sport destination. It was to be located in one of America’s most beautiful natural settings-the wooded hilltops overlooking Lake Michigan in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It was to be built with an unmatched commitment to maintaining the area’s unique beauty and an unwavering dedication to providing the best food, accommodations, and service. And, it was to buck the idea that more-is-better by limiting lift tickets to provide an un-crowded ski and snowboarding experience.

The people responded! And that’s the reason to celebrate!

“Couples looking for a romantic winter getaway and families with young children helped us become the North’s most civilized snow-sport destination,” says Jamie Jewell, Senior Manager at The Homestead. “Now seemed a great time to say thanks.”

One way the resort is celebrating is by offering guests special 25^th Anniversary Packages. That means the best prices in the North-guaranteed-for lifts and lodging. Starting December 26th, a couple can enjoy a romantic two-night stay for as little as $164 a night…a family of four, for as little as $197 per night.

Another way The Homestead is celebration their anniversary season is through its “25^th Anniversary Skistakes.” That means special weekly give-aways for winter, spring, and summer vacation packages totaling $25,000! Guests can enter at any of the resort’s facilities. The public can enter at selected ski shops throughout the state. Drawings will be held and winners announced every Sunday from December 29^th to March 27^th.

“We invite everyone to visit our new website-www.thehomesteadresort.com-to see the amazing list of prizes and to see the names of each week’s winners,” says Jewell.

“Our guests drive hundreds of miles to get here,” adds Jewell. “And the drop in fuel prices and savings built into our twenty-fifth anniversary packages now make a winter visit at The Homestead more affordable than ever.”

To make this celebration last all season, The Homestead has a host of special activities planned for guests-live outdoor music, DJ’s, a film festival, magicians, ice carvers, and carolers.

“We’ll even have hot cider and chestnuts roasting on an open fire!” says Jewell. “The number of guests who return year after year speaks to the quality of the ski and snowboarding experience at The Homestead. With this celebration we’re looking forward to seeing familiar faces while also welcoming a whole new generation of skiers and snowboarders to come enjoy all the resort has to offer.”

Media Contact:

Jamie Jewell 231.334.5524 or jamie@thehomesteadresort.com.