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The 1800's
Manistee, situated on the east shore of Lake Michigan, is the County seat of Manistee County. Its name is derived from the river which passes through it, and according to legend it is an Indian word meaning "The Spirit of the Woods". The Chippewa and portions of the Tawas and Ottawa tribes are said to have inhabited this region when in its primitive state. It is more than likely that Father Marquette in his explorations over 200 years ago, visited this locality, and was doubtless the first white man who ever trod this soil. A mission house is said to have been built here as early as the year 1826 and continuous European settlement commenced about that time.
The first retail store in what was to become downtown Manistee was the American Fur Company Post, was established here in the 1820's. Around this time Manistee was considered one of the busiest commercial fishing ports on Lake Michigan.
1841, The first permanent settlement of Manistee County. The first mill within the Manistee city limits was situated a little north of the present Dempsey property and was built by James and Adam Stronach in 1841. At this period there were about 1000 Indians here. The government instructed the surveyors to allow them all the land the chief desired and the territory selected extended six miles north and south and twenty-two miles east and west embracing the valley of the Manistee River. In 1849, the Indian Reservation was taken up by treaty, the land placed on sale and the tribal relations of the Indians practically broken up.
1852: The population of Manistee County numbered but 200 persons, the only settlements being at the mouth of the river, a little hamlet about each of the mills and the settlement at Old Stronach. The chief industry was the manufacture of lumber. The sand-bar at the mouth of the river retarded business greatly as it prevented vessels from entering the harbor and necessitated their being loaded by means of rafts.
For this reason, in 1854, it was deemed necessary to change the outlet of the river. In 1854 Sam Potter excavated a ditch across the bar at Lake Michigan and then dammed the old meandering channel forcing the water into his ditch. Piers were then built into Lake Michigan to maintain the deep water harbor entrance, and Manistee quickly became one of the busiest ports on Lake Michigan.
1861: the first physician, Dr. L. S. Ellis and the first lawyer, T. J. Ramsdell arrived. Arrangements were made to bring the mail overland from Grand Haven once a week. The Catholics also organized for regular worship and two years later built their first church, which was on the north side of the river.
Oct. 8, 1871 The Great Fire: Sunday morning the fire alarm sounded. Monday found the busy little city of a few hours before a scene of desolation and ruin. Over 1,000 men, women and children were homeless and without food or clothing. Every house spared by the flames threw open its doors, and not only were the sufferers taken into the homes but into the hearts of their more fortunate townsmen. After rallying from the shock of the great fire everyone seemed to work with redoubled energy to retrieve that which they had lost, and to their strong arms and stronger wills, are we greatly indebted for the Manistee of today. The buildings constructed were of better material and finer architecture than those before and Manistee took on a more metropolitan air. An iron bridge across the river took the place of the one burned and every enterprise seemed to start on a more thrifty and solid foundation.
1872: Telegraph communication established.
1873: Population of 5,000.
1878: Court House built.
1879: First Salt Well drilled by Chas. Reitz and Bros. and in 1881 after drilling into the earth to a depth of 2,000 feet, a strata of rock-salt was found which gave assurance that salt would be produced.
Our early history was a series of eventful struggles but with the spirit of courage and determination with which the people labored to overcome the many obstacles then in their path of progress, seems to have followed us through all succeeding years, and with no fear, we leave the future destiny of Manistee in the hands of the descendants of her pioneers.
In 1885 there were forty sawmills cutting millions of feet of lumber annually and the city of Manistee a roaring, thriving community of 16,000. At one time, Manistee may have been the largest shingle manufacturing center in the world.
Historic Fire Hall built in 1888
"In the early days Manistee was a primitive frontier community whose residents went to Milwaukee to purchase the finer things in life. However, as the 20th century approached, the community enjoyed an excellent and well stocked business district as befitted the 11th largest city in Michigan. " (Steve Harold, Manistee County Museum)
On December 19, 1900, a reporter for the Manistee Daily News walked down River Street and described the extensive assortment of holiday goods he found in shop windows as follows: "Strolling up and down River Street of today an old settler must experience a variety of sensations. In place of wooden shanties are imposing brick buildings but perhaps the most striking change is noticed in the stores. The small many-paned dingy windows have been superseded by speckless sheets of plate glass and the wares exposed to the public gaze are quite in keeping with the exterior improvements."
1934: The Manistee National Forest: Over twenty-five million tree seeds were sown by Federal government establishing the Manistee purchase unit, a vast area to be used for reforestation. Civilian Conservation Corps camps were established. In 1935 better than 30,000 acres of forest had been planted to replace the forests cut during the lumbering era of the 1800's. The Manistee National Forest now comprises 1,287,000 acres and is one of the largest national forests in the central United States. The first Manistee National Forest Festival was celebrated in July, 1936.
The elegant mansions that line the city's streets were built by the lumber barons that once called Manistee home. The town is an architectural delight. Builders in the late 1880's outdid themselves in their design of buildings in the Victorian Italianate, French Chateau, Gothic Revival, and Shingle styles. Victorian homes "Painted Ladies" will be found throughout the city using several colors of paint to highlight the flourishes, in the classic Queen Anne, Gothic, Second Empire, and Greek Revival styles.
The Historic Ramsdell Theatre is in the Central Business District and is as much a center of activity today as it was when completed in 1903. Designed by famed architect Solon S. Beman for local lawyer and philanthropist Thomas Jefferson Ramsdell at a cost of $1000, boasts an act curtain by Walter Burridge, scenic artist who designed the sets for the original stage production of "The Wizard of Oz", one of the finest opera houses still in existence, is home to the Manistee Civic Players. The adjoining Ramsdell Great Hall, once the cultural center of Manistee, is being restored to its former splendor.. James Earl Jones began his career in this historic theatre.
Two previously built opera houses were destroyed by fire. The first Scandinavian Opera House was built by the Scandinavian Society "Nordisk Fremskridts Forening" for the purpose of debates, music, dramatics and to keep alive the fraternal social feeling among those of Scandinavia who have come to these shores in search of a home". in 1876 and burned in 1882. The Scandinavians built a new Opera House in 1883 and it also burned in 1900.
In 1901 Manistee County had about seven English language newspapers.
The Manistee downtown business district of today is resplendent in detail with elaborate masonry and stone structures, and is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places.
The recent Streetscape project, just completed, enhances the beauty of the elaborately painted buildings and Streetlights lining River Street. A Victorian Fountain has just been placed across from the City Marina. Summertime Friday block parties and Wednesday night Bandshell concerts make the downtown ring with activity. The Riverwalk offers a look at activity on the River in a scenic and natural setting. A new Riverwalk Net Shed with Historical markers describes life on the River from Manistee's earliest years.
Manistee, is now as it was over 150 years ago, a place with old fashioned hometown values - a community dependent on its natural resources, the waterfront, the forests, beaches, the rivers and inland lakes.
Note: Copy in blue print is from the work of Mrs. Edward D. Wheeler, Wife of a pioneer Manistee lumberman. It was first printed as a part of a special edition of the Manistee Daily News in May, 1899.
Other sources of information: Manistee News Advocate; Steve Harold, Manistee Historical Museum
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