- Things to Do
- Top Activities
- Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Trails
- Arts & Entertainment
- Art Galleries
- Historic Movie Theatres
- Interlochen Center for the Arts
- Museums
- Attractions
- Free Things to Do
- Historical Sites
- Lighthouses
- Shipwrecks
- Tall Ships
- Casinos
- Itineraries
- 1-Day
- 2-Day
- 3-Day
- Beer Lover
- Beer & Wine Weekend
- Explore the Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Guys' Weekend
- Outdoor Adventure
- Family Time
- Food Tour
- Girlfriend Getaway
- Personal Wine Tour
- Romantic Getaway
- Kids' Activities
- Spring Break
- Shopping
- Downtown Traverse City
- Farmer's Markets & U-Picks
- Grand Traverse Commons
- Malls & Shopping Centers
- Port Towns
- Spa & Salon
- Tours
- Beer Tours
- Boat Tours
- Fall Color Tour
- Scenic Drives
- Wine Tours
- Outdoors
- Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Trails
- Beaches
- Dog Beaches/Pet Friendly
- Biking
- Fishing
- Golf
- Hiking
- Parks
- State Parks
- Trails & Nature Walks
- Watersports
- Boating
- Kayak, Canoe & SUP
- Jet Skiing & Rentals
- Winter Sports
- Ice Skating Hockey
- Ice Fishing
- Skiing & Snowboarding
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Tubing & Sledding
- Seasons
- Spring
- Serendipitous Adventure
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
- Snow Much to Do
- Plan
- About Traverse City
- Cherry Industry
- Climate & Weather
- Driving Distances
- Historical Sites
- Blog
- Coupons & Packages
- Gift Certificates
- Request a Free Visitor's Guide
- Enewsletter Signup
- Getting Married in Traverse City
- Top Things to Do in Traverse City
- Trip Ideas & Itineraries
- 1-Day
- 2-Day
- 3-Day
- Beer Lover
- Beer & Wine Weekend
- Explore the Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Outdoor Adventure
- Family Time
- Food Tour
- Girlfriend Getaway
- Guy's Weekend
- Lighthouse Tour
- Romantic Getaway
- Personal Wine Tour
- Transportation
- Airport Info
- Visitor Center & Information
- Health Care
- Local Chambers
- Local News Outlets
- Parking
- Places of Worship
- Public Safety
- Traveling with a Pet
- Printable Maps
- Social Media Links
Traverse City Historic Sites
Ancient glaciers carved the long deep lakes and dramatic hills that give Traverse City and its surrounding communities their splendid natural setting. But this beautiful region is much more than the sum of its scenic and recreational qualities. It is a place rich with human history, where generations of Native Americans and missionaries, lumberjacks and fishermen, mariners and farmers all left their imprint on the landscape and helped create a colorful and vibrant culture that can still be experienced today. Reminders of the past are everywhere, from lonely lighthouses and humble mission churches to grand homes whose owners made their fortunes shipping timber from the region’s vast forests.