Course TourLeland: Men's Start Leland was originally settled by Antoine Manseau, who moved from Manistee in 1853. The town name is derived from an old nautical term: "lee land," referring to the north winds off Lake Michigan, which keeps the town "air conditioned" throughout the summer months. Leland grew in population due the lumbering industry and eventually became the county seat in 1882.Leland is a rare village which really is different than most other places people visit. The village of Leland encompasses only a few "full" blocks, plus a number of businesses within four blocks of the main shopping area. Many of the businesses are in turn-of-the-century buildings. Leland's dining is upscale in most cases, and the retail establishments include numerous art galleries, specialty shops, and clothiers. During the summer months, most retail businesses remain open until 9:00 or 10:00 in the evening. Leland is a great "walking around" town! The Village Green, one of three public parks near the village center, includes a spectacular rose garden on one corner, and flowers throughout. There is also a public beach on each lake. The Leland River winds one mile from Lake Leelanau into Lake Michigan past an historic boathouse, the Riverside Inn, and historical homes. And of course, there is Fishtown! Fishtown began in the 1800's as the original commercial fishing harbor and its buildings were first used as equipment sheds for the old-time fisherman. Beginning in the 1960s, it slowly transformed into one of the most unique shopping areas and Charter Boat dockages to be found anywhere. The grey, weather-beaten buildings along the Carp River are one of the biggest attractions of Leelanau County and of the Traverse City region. Fishtown is also the gateway to the Manitou Islands. Leland Heritage Celebration The Leland Heritage Celebration kicks off at 10:00 a.m. and plans for this year's celebration include special presentations, tours, attractions in Fishtown, a historical art showing at the Leelanau Community Cultural Center (The Old Art Building), an antique car show, and (possibly) larger schooners in the Marina. Additionally, some of the best known wooden boats made during the last century will tie up along a 400-foot wall on the Leland River. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. $2 per person/$5 per family. Sponsored by the Leelanau Historical Museum, 203 E. Cedar Street, Leland. (231) 256-7475 Empire The Empire area was first settled in 1853 by the John LaRue Family. Th is town was eventually named after a boat "Empire" which became ice-bound in the harbor in the winter of 1863, and afterwards used as a schoolhouse. The town eventually thrived because of the lumber industry, organizing as a village in 1895.Empire is famous for its beaches which face west onto Lake Michigan. Every year during the third weekend in May, the Empire Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Empire Asparagus Festival. The Empire Chamber of Commerce's web-site is www.empirechamber.com. The Homestead: Women StartThe Homestead, America's Freshwater Resort, is once again hosting the women's race start. "The Homestead's reputation for hospitality coupled with their impeccable facilities makes it a perfect spot to start the women's race. I can see a number teams will want to stay here", said Steve Brown, Race Director. The Homestead boasts two small hotels, a rustic lodge, a grand inn, and privately owned vacation homes and condominiums. Additionally, Homestead guests can play golf and tennis or just float in one of four pools, Lake Michigan, or the Crystal River.The women will start at approximately 2:40 PM. The women's start time is dependent on the men's pace for the first 45 miles of their race. If the men are lollygagging, the women may start a few minutes later, while, if the men are simply tearing up the roads, the women will start a few minutes earlier. Once the men have sprinted in Glen Arbor, the gun will go off and the ladies will roll out to M-22 towards Glen Arbor. (The men's course will bring them from Glen Arbor to the entrance of The Homestead before making a sharp turn onto Westman Rd.) The women will wind it up for a sprint in Glen Arbor as soon as they make the sweeping right-hand turn out of The Homestead's entrance. From the sprint line, the gals will negotiate the back roads of Glen Arbor before re-joining the main course at Fisher Rd and Dunn's Farm Rd (675). Please plan to arrive early for the women's start and allow ample time to park to minimize traffic for the women. Glen Arbor The Glen Arbor area was originally settled by John LaRue (sound familiar?), John Fisher, and John Dorsey around 1854. It was given its name after Mrs. Fisher observed a cluster of wild grapes in the tree tops and remarked that it was a "glen arbor" created by nature. Glen Arbor is known for Big and Little Glen Lakes as well as Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore's famous "Dune Climb" to Lake Michigan.Check out www.visitglenarbor.com for more on Glen Arbor's charm. Maple City Maple City was originally named Peg Town because there was a factory which made wooden stoppers called "Peg"s for the old 50 gallon barrels which were also made from wood (think they were Maple???) The town was founded in 1866 and today boasts a grocery, a gas station, and 2 restaurants. Most of the inhabitants of the Maple City area are of Polish, German, or British descent.Maple City is really the hub of the Tour de Leelanau as the Men's race passes through the village two times! The second pass through town is critical as the guys sprint for points in Maple City and then begin a grind up Burdickville Road before making a right-hand turn onto Tower Road. Cedar Cedar, originally named Cedar City, had its beginnings when the Manistee and Northeastern Railroad came into the town in 1892. A mill was built for making barrel staves and hoops. In 1905, the Cedar State Bank was begun, which survived the Great Depression in 1933, but was closed later in the decade. The bank building was later used for the offices of the Leelanau Telephone Company.Each year, in late June-early July, Cedar is host to the annual Cedar Polish Festival, which began in 1975 and thrives today. One Leelanau County icon that the race course does not pass by is the town of Isadore, just north of Cedar. Named after St. Isadore, the patron saint of farmers, the town was founded in 1970 by Polish immigrants who moved to the area from Milwaukee in order to farm. St. Isadore church remains a center of community religious and cultural activities. Lake Leelanau In 1867, Mr. A. DeBelloy sunk a well near the Village of Lake Leelanau, hoping to strike oil, but secured a flow of artesian water instead. Because of its location at the narrows of Carp Lake, it was first called Le Naro. On May 10, 1871 it was given a post office as Provement, with William Horton as its first postmaster. It was said that, that name was derived from improvement. On March 31, 1924 the village and its post office were renamed to Lake Leelanau, with Paul Plamondon as postmaster.Suttons Bay Suttons Bay was founded by Harry C. Sutton in 1854. First called Suttonsburg and later renamed Pleasant City, it was eventually named Suttons Bay in 1861. Suttons Bay is known world-wide for hosting the Classic Boat Show each June, where the best of the best in antique, wooden small boats can be seen. It also presents its annual Jazz Fest the last weekend in July.The Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce can be found at www.suttonsbayarea.com Northport Northport was founded in 1852 by Deacon Joseph Dame who officially platted and registered the area. Settlers in Northport were primarily of Scandinavian heritage (notice how all the roads on the race course near Northport have Scandinavian names). It became the first county seat in 1863, until it was moved to Leland in 1882. It eventually incorporated into a village in 1903. Today, Northport remains a picture-perfect town, with tourism as its main business. The marina, waterfront, unique shops, galleries and restaurants indeed make a great day for visitors.Peshawbestown Peshawbestown began as a Catholic mission to the people of the Chippewa and Ottawa tribes around 1850. Today Peshawbestown sits on 12.5 acres of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indian reservation. The primary economic driver of the community is tourism, with the main features being the Leelanau Sands Casino and the historic Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church. The annual Peshawbestown Pow-Wow, which takes place each August, celebrates Ottawa and Chippewa culture with native foods, tribal art, and dancing.
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