Fountain Point
Encyclopedia
Fountain Point is an historic landmark located in Suttons Bay Township
, Michigan
, which is part of Leelanau County
and the Leelanau Peninsula
. Its name is derived from a fountain of sparkling artesian spring water, situated on a large point on Lake Leelanau
, which has been continuously gushing since 1867.
He attempted drilling for oil, and after a long struggle in 1867 he struck a gusher of sparkling water at a depth of 900 feet. Following de Beloit’s disappointment over his failure to strike oil, the land changed hands several times until 1887, when it was purchased by Mrs. Lydia Morrison of Cincinnati, Ohio
. In June 1889, she established "The Fountain Point House," a Victorian-style
mansion, and guests began arriving for the summer by steamboat and buggy. The main three-story building was the center of activity, and it included a large dining room, kitchen and lounge.
By 1903, the Traverse City, Leelanau, and Manistique Railroad began operating between Traverse City and Northport
, stopping at Fountain Point, improving transportation of people and products.
Over the years, several cottages were built, and Fountain Point has become a popular destination featuring rich history and simple family pleasures.
, it is open to the public, reservations only, Memorial Day through Labor Day, and features swimming, boating, tennis and numerous other indoor and outdoor activities.
In 1975, Fountain Point Resort was listed on the State of Michigan historic registry, and in 2003 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
Suttons Bay Township, Michigan
Suttons Bay Township is a civil township of Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,982 at the 2000 census. The village of Suttons Bay is located within the township...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, which is part of Leelanau County
Leelanau County, Michigan
-History:The county's name is said to be a Native American word meaning "delight of life", but it is a neologism made up by Indian agent and ethnographer Henry Schoolcraft, who sometimes gave the name "Leelinau" to Native American women in his tales. He created many faux Indian place names in...
and the Leelanau Peninsula
Leelanau Peninsula
The Leelanau Peninsula is a peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan that extends about from the Lower Peninsula of Michigan into Lake Michigan. Leelanau County encompasses the entire peninsula. It is often referred to as the "little finger" of the mitten-shaped lower peninsula.Sleeping Bear Dunes...
. Its name is derived from a fountain of sparkling artesian spring water, situated on a large point on Lake Leelanau
Lake Leelanau
Lake Leelanau lies in the Leelanau Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The entire lake -- which includes two bodies of water, usually referred to as North Lake Leelanau and South Lake Leelanau -- covers about and lies within Leelanau County...
, which has been continuously gushing since 1867.
History
Circa 1860, a French fur trader, Andre de Beloit, was plying his trade near the narrows of Carp Lake -- also called Lake "Leelanau," said to mean "delight of life" in the language spoken by local Native Americans -- and became convinced of the beauty and bounty of the area and purchased a parcel of land.He attempted drilling for oil, and after a long struggle in 1867 he struck a gusher of sparkling water at a depth of 900 feet. Following de Beloit’s disappointment over his failure to strike oil, the land changed hands several times until 1887, when it was purchased by Mrs. Lydia Morrison of Cincinnati, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. In June 1889, she established "The Fountain Point House," a Victorian-style
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
mansion, and guests began arriving for the summer by steamboat and buggy. The main three-story building was the center of activity, and it included a large dining room, kitchen and lounge.
By 1903, the Traverse City, Leelanau, and Manistique Railroad began operating between Traverse City and Northport
Northport, Michigan
Northport is a village in Leelanau Township, Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 648 at the 2000 census. When Leelanau County was formed in 1863, Northport served as the first county seat from 1863 to 1883.-Geography:...
, stopping at Fountain Point, improving transportation of people and products.
Over the years, several cottages were built, and Fountain Point has become a popular destination featuring rich history and simple family pleasures.
Fountain Point today
Fountain Point includes smaller private residences and a large resort called Fountain Point Resort. The resort, one of the oldest recreational hotel complexes of its type in the state, encompasses 54 acres (218,530.4 m²) of land, including a half-mile of lakefront and the fountain, and is presently owned by Ms. Susan Jay Nichols; the property has been in her family for three generations. Located near the quiet community of Lake LeelanauLake Leelanau, Michigan
Lake Leelanau is an unincorporated community in Bingham Township, Leelanau County, Michigan, near the lake of the same name. It is situated along M-204 at the "narrows" that separate North & South Lake Leelanau.-History:...
, it is open to the public, reservations only, Memorial Day through Labor Day, and features swimming, boating, tennis and numerous other indoor and outdoor activities.
In 1975, Fountain Point Resort was listed on the State of Michigan historic registry, and in 2003 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.