NRHP Reference # 75000951 Area 4 ha | Designated MSHS June 28, 1973 Added to NRHP 20 November 1975 | |
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Location Roughly bounded by the park, Main St., Ave. A, and the harbor, Leland, Michigan | ||
The Leland Historic District, colloquially known as Fishtown, is a historic district roughly bounded by the park, Main Street, Avenue A, and the harbor, in Leland, Michigan. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1973 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Contents
History
In 1853, Leland pioneer Antoine Manseau constructed a dam across the Carp River at this location. Manseau built a sawmill and docks, setting up Leland as a wooding station for steamers. By 1867, 200 people had settled in Leland. The area also began to develop a fishing fleet, with commercial increasing in importance from the 1870s through the 1890s. More development followed, and in 1886 the county seat was moved to Leland.
In the early 1900s, fishermen began enclosing their open boats and adding gasoline engines, which increased the scale of fishing operations. By 1937, two breakwaters were constructed in the waters of Lake Michigan, which also facilitated the rise of the local fishing industry. However, in the 1940s, the whitefish and trout populations in the lake were decimated by sea lampreys. Although commercial fishing operations continued, the area relied more heavily on tourism and charter operations. In the 21st century, the harbor area contains a mix of commercial fishing and tourist operations.
Description
The Leland Historic District, containing both commercial and residential structures, is located at the mouth of the Carp River. It encompasses one of Michigan's most scenic villages; the structures in the district are substantially original, with few alterations. The district includes Leland's commercial area, containing a handful of one- and two-story Gothic Revival brick buildings, and the fishing shanties, smokehouses, and docks in the harbor.