Old Mission Peninsula

Old Mission Peninsula, just northeast of Traverse City, is a host to numerous vineyards and cherry orchards. It also has a some very old buildings from the 1800’s.

Our exploration of Old Mission Peninsula began with a stop at the Old Mission Scenic Overlook.

We then went all the way to the top of the peninsula to visit the Old Mission Point Lighthouse; which was established in 1870. The lighthouse was in operation from 1870-1933 and only had seven keepers. One of them being a woman; which was very rare.

It also happens to stand on the 45th Parallel – half way between the North Pole & the Equator.

After visiting the lighthouse, we viewed “The Hessler Log Home”. This is the original log cabin constructed in 1854-1856 in the southern part of the peninsula by Mary & Joseph Hessler. The cabin was moved to the Old Mission State Park and refurbished during 1992-1997 to showcase how pioneer families lived and utilized the untamed land.

Next we went for a hike through the woods and along the shoreline. We only saw one other group and the forest was lush and peaceful.

Our next stop was the town of Old Mission where we visited:

• The Old Mission General Store: Established in 1850 and moved to it’s current site during the civil war. The left side of the building was the town’s post office until 2004. The Store is still operating today and the main portion of the building has the original wood plank floors, counters, and display shelves. In addition to selling wines and liquors from the local vineyards, they sell ice cream, have a selection of souvenirs, operate a bakery, and have a daily selection of items they will make for lunch. The homemade cinnamon are incredible!

• Old Mission Church (replica): From the plaque on the outside of the building… This building is a replica of the original mission church which was erected in 1839 by the Reverend Peter Dougherty, a Presbyterian missionary, who came here from Mackinaw to establish the first mission in this part of the country. Originally the building stood on the bayshore but later was moved to this site where it remained for many years. The bell which is now in the belfry is the original bell of the old church.

• Dougherty Mission House: From the Michigan Historic Site sign outside the house… Peter Dougherty arrived on Mackinac Island in 1838, planning to establish a Presbyterian mission to the Ojibwe and Odawa tribes in northern Michigan. He selected the Grand Traverse Bay area and settled in Elk Rapids. Soon after he relocated to this area at the request of Chief Ohgosa. Dougherty sketched some of the region’s first maps in 1839-40. After his 1840 marriage to Maria Higgins, he and local Native Americans built this residence in 1842. In addition to delivering sermons and caring for the sick, Dougherty translated biblical lessons and scriptures into the Native American language Anishaabemowin, publishing them in 1844 and 1847. The house became known as the “Old Mission House” when the Dougherty family opened a new mission in Onema in 1852.

Continuing down the Peninsula we stopped at the the Pyatt Lake Nature Preserve for a short hike and a little more nature before heading down the scenic Peninsula Drive into Traverse City to run a few errands.

After doing the necessary grocery shopping we made our final stop of the day at the famous Moomers Homemade Ice Cream shop. It’s a family operated shop on a dairy farm offering many homemade flavors and a patio overlooking the dairy farm for enjoying your treat. We’ve been hearing about Moomers all the way up the coast and I have to say, it was worth the hype.