| 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)
06/05/08 - Adult Art Classes
06/17/08 - Summer Singers
06/17/08 - You Jazz
06/20/08 - Beach Bards Bonfire - Fridays @ 8:30
06/23/08 - Children's Art Classes
06/24/08 - Tuesday Tea in The Garden
06/25/08 - Lanphier Observatory
07/09/08 - Alan Gerber/Blues/Folk/Gospel
07/10/08 - Jessica Loyd Artist In Residence Presentation
07/13/08 - 10th Anniversary Dune Climb Concert FREE CONCERT
07/16/08 - Glen Lake Woman's Club Art Fair
07/16/08 - Legacy/Irish Traditional Music
07/18/08 - Michigan Photography Exhibit by Stacy Niedzwiecki
07/18/08 - Stacy Niedzwiecki Gallery Show
07/19/08 - Stacy Niedzwiecki Gallery Show
07/20/08 - Neptune Quartet/Jazz/Zappa, Fiddle Music
07/23/08 - Annie Gallup
07/25/08 - Morgan Fisher Gallery Show-Birds:Prints & Paintings
07/26/08 - Morgan Fisher Gallery Show Birds: Prints & Paintings
07/27/08 - Mustard's Retreat/Folk
07/29/08 - Arts Collage I Image & Sound
07/29/08 - 2nd Annual Running Bear 5K Run/Walk & Kid's Run
07/30/08 - Arts Collage II Statement, Form & Movement
08/01/08 - Eve Reid Gallery Show
08/02/08 - Eve Reid Gallery Show
08/03/08 - Platinum Brass Ensemble/Classical
08/06/08 - Lamajamal/World Music/Gypsy Surf
08/08/08 - Port Oneida Fair
08/09/08 - Port Oneida Fair
08/10/08 - Lawson-Vodnoy Violin Duo/Classical
08/13/08 - Glen Lake Library Annual Vintage Book Sale "Preview Party"
08/13/08 - Paul Sullivan/Jazz Piano
08/14/08 - Glen Lake Library Annual Vintage Book Sale
08/14/08 - Glen Arbor Sidewalk Sales
08/15/08 - Jane Batteiger Gallery Show
08/17/08 - Pieces of Dreams Ensemble/Jazz/Classical Crossover
08/20/08 - The Guinness Brothers Band/Blues/Rock/Funk/Soul
08/28/08 - Douglas David Artist In Residence Presentation
09/1/08 - Labor Day Bridgewalk
09/11/08 - Sharon Rusch Shaver Artist In Residence Presentation
09/16/08 - Jane Batteiger Gallery Show
09/21/08 - Leelanau Harvest Tour
09/25/08 - Dawn Johnson Artist In Residence Presentation
10/10/08 - Fall For Art
10/11/08 - Fall For Art
10/12/08 - Fall For Art
10/16/08 - Steven Huyser-Honig Artist In Residence Presentation
10/30/08 - Franklin Speyers Artist In Residence Presentation
11/28/08 - Holiday Market Place Preview
11/28/08 - Pajama Party
11/28/08 - Tree Lighting and Carols
11/29/08 - Holiday Market Place Preview
02/14/09 - Glen Arbor Winterfest
Glen Arbor Photos
Glen Arbor Links
Glen Lake Community Schools
LeBear Resort & Spa
The Homestead, America's Freshwater Resort
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