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Orchard Beach State Park

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Coordinates: 44°16′55″N 86°19′00″W / 44.28194°N 86.31667°W / 44.28194; -86.31667
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Orchard Beach State Park
Lake
Stairs and sky at Orchard Beach State Park
Orchard Beach State Park is located in Michigan
Orchard Beach State Park
Location in Michigan
Orchard Beach State Park is located in the United States
Orchard Beach State Park
Orchard Beach State Park (the United States)
LocationManistee County, Michigan, United States
Nearest cityManistee, Michigan
Coordinates44°16′55″N 86°19′00″W / 44.28194°N 86.31667°W / 44.28194; -86.31667
Area201 acres (81 ha)
Elevation650 feet (200 m)
Established1921[1]
Administered byMichigan Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata
Orchard Beach State Park
BuiltCivilian Conservation Corps
NRHP reference No.09001064
Added to NRHPDecember 8, 2009

Orchard Beach State Park is a public recreation area covering 201 acres (81 ha) on the shore of Lake Michigan in Manistee Township, Manistee County, Michigan. Situated on a bluff three miles north of the city of Manistee, the state park offers camping, hiking trails, and scenic views over Lake Michigan.[2]

History

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The park was developed by the Manistee, Filer City and Eastlake Railway Company and opened in 1892. After the company stopped trolley service to the park, the site was purchased by the Manistee Board of Commerce and deeded to the state to become part of the Michigan state park system in 1921.[3]

The Civilian Conservation Corps was active in the park in the 1930s. Corps efforts included construction of several limestone structures including a pavilion, toilet, line house, and pump house.[4] In 2009, the park was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places,[5] being cited as "one of the most intact examples of a Michigan state park developed in the 1930s and 1940s under National Park Service guidelines.... retain[ing] the majority of its CCC-era buildings and physical layout."[3]

In 2019, the high levels of Lake Michigan were eroding the sandy bluff on which the CCC-built pavilion stood, threatening its destruction.[6] The pavilion was moved away from the shore in December 2020.[7]

Activities and amenities

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The park offers three miles of hiking trails, picnicking facilities, and a 166-site campground. The beach has been closed due to high lake levels.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "When were Michigan state parks and recreation areas established?" (PDF). Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Orchard Beach State Park". Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Orchard Beach State Park". Weekly Highlight. National Park Service. December 18, 2009. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2009.
  4. ^ Paul E. Janostak (2009). "Orchard Beach State Park" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. National Park Service. Retrieved December 26, 2009. (26 pages, with map and 11 photos)
  5. ^ "Orchard Beach State Park". NP Gallery. National Park Service. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  6. ^ Lofton, Justine (September 10, 2019). "Lake Michigan erosion threatens state park's 400-ton historic building". MLive. Advance Local Media. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  7. ^ Lofton, Justine (December 11, 2020). "400-ton historic limestone pavilion rolling to new location, away from eroding bluff". MLive. Advance Local Media. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
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