Downtown Harbor Springs
Spend the afternoon at the sandy beach in town or bike ride along the shores of Little Traverse Bay and admire the gorgeous homes in Wequetonsing. There is so much to see and do in Harbor Springs!
Main Street in Harbor Springs
Freshly planted window boxes, the breeze from the Bay and the smell of fudge make Main Street feel pretty and patel. This beautiful resort town offers unique dining at The New York, the Woolly Bugger Roasters and Dudleys Deck overlooking the water at the Pier Restaurant. Jewelry Boutiques such as Becky Thatcher Designs & Mary Ann Archer Fine Jewelry Design offer unique shopping. While you visit this beautiful resort town, enjoy an ice cream cone and walk along the docks at the Marina. Have lunch at Turkey's or a burger at Bar Harbor.
Events and Festivals in Harbor Springs
- June 15th - Waterfront Wine Festival
- Street Musique throughout the summer
- 4th of July - Parade, fireworks & waterfront art show
- July 11th - Harbor Springs Women's Club Art Fair - Nubs Nob
- July 13-15 - 27th Annual Blissfest Outdoor Music Festival
- July 21st - 4th Annual North American Indian Art Fair held at the waterfront
- July 27-29 - Little Traverse Yacht Club Regatta
- September 3rd - Labor Day Community Appreciation/Sidewalk Sales
- September 22nd - Taste of Harbor Springs, noon - 3pm
- December 5th - Christmas Open House
A Real Artist Community
As recently stated by local artist Gail Hosner, "Here there's a simplicity that frees an artist's mind, so they can focus on the beauty around them." Another, Audrey Shapiro, says that she was drawn to the area because the water and empty spaces were sources of inspiration for her. "Either it's the wide expanse, the colors, the sounds, just all your senses are awakened when you're by the water. It's just where I can be the calmest and stop my brain from chattering." Painter Trisha Witty of Harbor Springs and the Witty Galerie, added that "artists in Northern Michigan are fortunate to be able to make a living. People are very kind to artists up here", she said. Harbor Springs is just a beautiful and amazing place, especially in the summer. "I always find something new to paint" says Witty.
Hramiec Hoffman, Northern Possessions, Pierre Bitar, R Frogs Gallery and the Tvedten Fine Arts Gallery are just a few of the many galleries that are well worth the trip.
History of Harbor Springs
Harbor Springs was founded by the Jesuits and was once called L'Arbre Croche, which means Crooked Tree. In 1847, L'Arbre Croche had the largest concentration of Indians in the state. French traders renamed the area Petit Traverse, or Little Traverse. The village was incorporated as Harbor Springs in 1880.
Indian residents and white settlers of Little Traverse subsisted mainly on fishing, agriculture and trapping. In 1853, however, the establishment of Richard Cooper's trading post and general store marked the beginning of commercial operations in the village.
Lumbering was the dominant industry in Harbor Springs from 1880 to 1920. Other thriving businesses included Emmet County Bank, which still operates today as First Community Bank. In 1895, Joseph and Martha Juilleret opened a boat livery and an ice cream parlor. The building which housed these businesses is now the south half of Juilleret's restaurnat, which has passed through generations of the Juilleret family.
Vestiges of the past also live on in many of Harbor Springs' visitor attractions. The scenic M-119 Shore Drive was once part of the old Mackinac Trail used by the Indians. Staffords Pier Restaurant was once known as Booth's, a speakeasy that operated during the 1920s.
For more information about Harbor Springs' history, you may contact the Little Traverse History Museum, 231-347-2620. This information was provided by the Petoskey-Harbor Springs-Boyne Country Visitors Bureau.
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