Who was Perry Hannah and why is there a statue of him in Downtown Traverse City? What's the best place to see historic buildings? Are there any shipwrecks in the region? The answers to these questions, and more, are highlighted below. Take a step back in time to appreciate the present and see how our northern Michigan city has developed into the thriving destination that it is today.
Category - History

There’s a saying up here in the dune country. The sand gives, and the sand takes away.
Every place has its myths and legends -- and the more remote and evocative a place, the more legends it acquires. They’re told around campfires, repeated among friends, even sung over the radio.

For over a decade, one of our star attractions has been the Village at Grand Traverse Commons -- Traverse City's former mental hospital -- whose stately buildings are being transformed into a bustling residential and entertainment district. More recently, though, the old asylum is attracting
By MIKE NORTON
It may well be the only opera house where no opera has ever been performed.
But Traverse City’s handsome City Opera House has hosted plenty of other events in its 121-year career: innumerable plays,
By MIKE NORTON
I’m not much of a shopper. But I’m a really good browser.
Heck, I can browse for hours. And if I’m not browsing in a bookstore, the chances are pretty good that I’ll be in one of Traverse City’s many antique shops.
Hey, some
By MIKE NORTON
Last week, I was definitely in the mood for a change of pace – and I knew the fall colors would be especially good in the area east and north of Traverse City.
Marked by steep hills and long, twisting valleys, this area’s glacier-carved
By MIKE NORTON
Ahh! It was a perfect fall weekend: cool dry air, warm sunlight, a bright glitter on the bay, a hint of color in the leaves – and the water just warm enough to do a little swimming for those brave enough to make
By MIKE NORTON
You know how things get toward the end of summer, when all the stuff you usually do for fun just doesn’t feel like fun anymore?
Go to the beach? No, thanks. Take a walk in the woods? Don’t think so. Grab the kayaks and do