Manitou Beach-Devils Lake, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Manitou Beach and Devils Lake are two unincorporated communities in the Irish Hills
region of Lenawee County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. In order to provide statistical information, the United States Census Bureau
has defined Manitou Beach-Devils Lake as a census-designated place
(CDP) that includes both communities. The statistical information pertains to the entire CDP, although local understanding of the area making up these communities may vary somewhat from the definition of the CDP. The population of the CDP was 2,080 at the 2000 census
.
Devils Lake is at the northern end of Devils Lake
on U.S. 223
at 42°00′28"N 84°17′33"W. Manitou Beach is at the southwest end of Devils Lake at 41°58′11"N 84°18′30"W, approximately 2.5 mi (4 km) southwest of Devils Lake and about 2 mi (3.2 km) east-southeast of Addison
. The CDP also includes the entire shoreline areound Devils Lake and the smaller Round Lake to the southeast. The Manitou Beach post office, with ZIP code
49253, serves most of the area of the CDP except for an area on the southwest north of Manitou Beach Road and south of Bean Creek and a smaller area on the northern end of Devils Lake. Both of these areas are served by the Addison
ZIP code 49220. The Manitou Beach ZIP code also serves areas beyond the CDP area, including parts of southeast Woodstock Township
, southwest Cambridge Township
, northeast Rome Township
, and central and northeast Rollin Township
.
Manitou Beach, first noted by Euro-American settlers in the early 1830s, quickly became a favored resort in southeast Michigan by the turn of the 20th century. It quickly outgrew the comparably sized community of Devils Lake at the north end of the lake. Steam launches ferried tourists from the depot to the hotels and attractions, which included bath houses, a dance pavilion, pleasure craft rental facilities, a water slide, picnic areas and eating establishments. The name 'Manitou Beach' is derived from the Potawatomi
name of Devils Lake, "Michemanetue", meaning, "Lake of the (evil) Spirit".
The Manitou Beach post office was established on March 20, 1889, with Columbus F. Becker as the first postmaster. The office was discontinued on December 31, 1892, and reestablished on January 17, 1893. Manitou Beach was also as station on the Cincinnati, Jackson and Mackinaw Railroad (later part of the Cincinnati Northern Railway).
Devil's Lake was said to have been named by the Potawatomi leader Meteau (or Mitteau) after his daughter, who was an able swimmer, drowned in the lake and her body was never recovered. Meteau believed her to have been taken by evil spirits. The first white settlers here arrived in 1833. The Devils Lake post office was established on October 19, 1885, with John B. Allen as the first postmaster. The office was discontinued on October 31, 1936. The Detroit, Toledo and Milwaukee Railroad had a stop at Devil's Lake.
The Manitou Beach region was devastated by an F4 tornado during the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of April 11, 1965. Most of what was destroyed was rebuilt, including the dance hall and two churches. Over the course of the past four decades, the resort has few reminders of the tornado. A book on the tornado was compiled from 2000 to 2002 by local author Dan Cherry, and published in the summer of 2004.
Other books published on the lake resort include Lake Reflections by Margaret Brighton and the Lakes Preservation League (1996), Ho! For Devils Lake by Barbara Page Roys (1998), and Along the Trails of Michemanetue, released by Cherry in 2009.
In 2010, the community of Manitou Beach continues to draw vacationers, and because of its popularity, one by one the small seasonal cottages are being replaced by large, year-around homes.
The Devils Lake Drive-In-Church, a drive-in movie theater, closed its doors after 58 seasons due to the death of its operator.
The Manitou Beach Inn, a long-time staple of the business community, was destroyed by fire January 3, 2010.
, the CDP has a total area of 9.7 square miles (25.2 km²), of which, 7.0 square miles (18.1 km²) of it is land and 2.7 square miles (7.1 km²) of it (28.13%) is water.
of 2000, there were 2,080 people, 898 households, and 600 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 297.3 per square mile (114.7/km²). There were 1,732 housing units at an average density of 247.5 per square mile (95.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.08% White, 0.19% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.19% from other races
, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.25% of the population.
There were 898 households out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples
living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,938, and the median income for a family was $63,810. Males had a median income of $39,375 versus $29,167 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $24,561. About 4.3% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.
Irish Hills
The Irish Hills is an area of land located roughly in southeastern Jackson County and northwest Lenawee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Its name comes from the Irish immigrants who settled there from 1830-1850...
region of Lenawee County
Lenawee County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 98,890 people, 35,930 households, and 26,049 families residing in the county. The population density was 132 people per square mile . There were 39,769 housing units at an average density of 53 per square mile...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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"....
. In order to provide statistical information, the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
has defined Manitou Beach-Devils Lake as a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) that includes both communities. The statistical information pertains to the entire CDP, although local understanding of the area making up these communities may vary somewhat from the definition of the CDP. The population of the CDP was 2,080 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
Devils Lake is at the northern end of Devils Lake
Devils Lake (Michigan)
Devils Lake is the name of a few lakes in the U.S. state of Michigan.The largest Devils Lake is in Lenawee County on the boundary between Woodstock Township and Rollin Township. The community of Devils Lake is on the northern end of the lake and Manitou Beach is at the southwest end...
on U.S. 223
U.S. Route 223
US Route 223 or US Highway 223 is a diagonal US Highway lying in the US states of Michigan and Ohio. The southern most section is completely concurrent with the US 23 freeway, including all of the Ohio segment. It connects US 23 in the south near Toledo, Ohio with US 127 and...
at 42°00′28"N 84°17′33"W. Manitou Beach is at the southwest end of Devils Lake at 41°58′11"N 84°18′30"W, approximately 2.5 mi (4 km) southwest of Devils Lake and about 2 mi (3.2 km) east-southeast of Addison
Addison, Michigan
Addison is a village in Lenawee County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 627. The village is located on the boundary between Rollin Township on the south and Woodstock Township on the north.-Geography:...
. The CDP also includes the entire shoreline areound Devils Lake and the smaller Round Lake to the southeast. The Manitou Beach post office, with ZIP code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
49253, serves most of the area of the CDP except for an area on the southwest north of Manitou Beach Road and south of Bean Creek and a smaller area on the northern end of Devils Lake. Both of these areas are served by the Addison
Addison, Michigan
Addison is a village in Lenawee County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 627. The village is located on the boundary between Rollin Township on the south and Woodstock Township on the north.-Geography:...
ZIP code 49220. The Manitou Beach ZIP code also serves areas beyond the CDP area, including parts of southeast Woodstock Township
Woodstock Township, Michigan
Woodstock Township is a civil township of Lenawee County, Michigan, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 3,468.-Geography:...
, southwest Cambridge Township
Cambridge Township, Michigan
Cambridge Township is a civil township of Lenawee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,299 at the 2000 census. With the surrounding areas being protected by the Cambridge Township Fire Department and the Cambridge Township Police Department.- Communities :* The village of...
, northeast Rome Township
Rome Township, Michigan
Rome Township is a civil township of Lenawee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,772 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
, and central and northeast Rollin Township
Rollin Township, Michigan
Rollin Township is a civil township of Lenawee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,176 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census...
.
History
Devil's Lake was a Powtawatamie village until about 1830.Manitou Beach, first noted by Euro-American settlers in the early 1830s, quickly became a favored resort in southeast Michigan by the turn of the 20th century. It quickly outgrew the comparably sized community of Devils Lake at the north end of the lake. Steam launches ferried tourists from the depot to the hotels and attractions, which included bath houses, a dance pavilion, pleasure craft rental facilities, a water slide, picnic areas and eating establishments. The name 'Manitou Beach' is derived from the Potawatomi
Potawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
name of Devils Lake, "Michemanetue", meaning, "Lake of the (evil) Spirit".
The Manitou Beach post office was established on March 20, 1889, with Columbus F. Becker as the first postmaster. The office was discontinued on December 31, 1892, and reestablished on January 17, 1893. Manitou Beach was also as station on the Cincinnati, Jackson and Mackinaw Railroad (later part of the Cincinnati Northern Railway).
Devil's Lake was said to have been named by the Potawatomi leader Meteau (or Mitteau) after his daughter, who was an able swimmer, drowned in the lake and her body was never recovered. Meteau believed her to have been taken by evil spirits. The first white settlers here arrived in 1833. The Devils Lake post office was established on October 19, 1885, with John B. Allen as the first postmaster. The office was discontinued on October 31, 1936. The Detroit, Toledo and Milwaukee Railroad had a stop at Devil's Lake.
The Manitou Beach region was devastated by an F4 tornado during the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of April 11, 1965. Most of what was destroyed was rebuilt, including the dance hall and two churches. Over the course of the past four decades, the resort has few reminders of the tornado. A book on the tornado was compiled from 2000 to 2002 by local author Dan Cherry, and published in the summer of 2004.
Other books published on the lake resort include Lake Reflections by Margaret Brighton and the Lakes Preservation League (1996), Ho! For Devils Lake by Barbara Page Roys (1998), and Along the Trails of Michemanetue, released by Cherry in 2009.
In 2010, the community of Manitou Beach continues to draw vacationers, and because of its popularity, one by one the small seasonal cottages are being replaced by large, year-around homes.
The Devils Lake Drive-In-Church, a drive-in movie theater, closed its doors after 58 seasons due to the death of its operator.
The Manitou Beach Inn, a long-time staple of the business community, was destroyed by fire January 3, 2010.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 9.7 square miles (25.2 km²), of which, 7.0 square miles (18.1 km²) of it is land and 2.7 square miles (7.1 km²) of it (28.13%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,080 people, 898 households, and 600 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 297.3 per square mile (114.7/km²). There were 1,732 housing units at an average density of 247.5 per square mile (95.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.08% White, 0.19% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.19% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.25% of the population.
There were 898 households out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,938, and the median income for a family was $63,810. Males had a median income of $39,375 versus $29,167 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $24,561. About 4.3% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.