A look at downtown Suttons Bay, Michigan
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Suttons Bay is a village in Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 618 at the 2010 census. The village was incorporated in 1898 and is located within Suttons Bay Township.
The community is named for one of the first settlers of European descent, Harry C. Sutton, who arrived in 1854. He arrived with a crew of woodsmen to supply fuel for passing wood steamboats.
In 1903 the Traverse City, Leelanau, and Manistique Railroad began a route between Traverse City to the South and Northport to the North, stopping at Suttons Bay, as well as Hatch's Crossing, Fountain Point, Bingham, Keswick, and Omena.[6]
Before the turn of the 20th century, four churches had been established—two Lutheran, one Roman Catholic, and one Congregational.
In 1920, Leelanau County voters approved moving the county seat to Suttons Bay, but the move never took place.
Suttons Bay has a school; the sports mascot is a Viking, hence the nickname Suttons Bay Norsemen.
The town is home to the county's only movie theater, opened in 1946. It is now owned by Bob Bahle, and was renovated in 1977. Its fare consists of unique art house films, and occasionally the theater hosts plays and concerts.
The town has a clothing store that has been owned by one family over four generations called Bahles. The original store started as a dry-goods business in 1876 by Lars Bahle, an immigrant from Norway.
A unique shopping experience can be had in Suttons Bay. From fudge shops, to an upscale kitchen store, to a spice shop and fun science store. It also is home to the largest greenhouse and garden center north of Grand Rapids. (Plant Masters of Suttons Bay)
Suttons Bay is also home to one of the oldest continuously operated food establishments in the entire region. Since 1871, the restaurant has gone through several owners and is currently known as The V I Grill.
Like many other communities in northern Michigan, Suttons Bay relies heavily on tourism to generate revenues for its economy.
Activities include the Suttons Bay Jazzfest and the Suttons Bay Art Festival.
Suttons Bay also is highly embedded in the cherry industry, producing sweet and tart cherries of many varieties. Harvest operations usually take place in mid-July and run into August.
In August 2013, the community held an event to attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for most kayaks and canoes rafted together. The effort followed an attempt a year earlier, which missed the record of 1902 boats set by a group near Inlet, New York in 2011.
Park Place Hotel's Virtual Fam Trip, Traverse City, Ciccone Vineyard and Winery, glsp
Park Place Hotel's Virtual Fam Trip, Traverse City, Ciccone Vineyard and Winery, glsp,
a Michigan Travel video. First posted online, June 2003
Wine Tasting, Shopping & More in Suttons Bay
There's something for everyone in Suttons Bay, Michigan. Learn more about shopping, exploring and wine tasting in this year-round destination that is just 25 minutes from Traverse City.
10 25 2014 Suttons Bay Michigan Black Star Farms part 3
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