The Nationalization Of Leelanau



Pyramid  Point - Sleeping  Bear  Dunes


 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was born 50 years ago, ...

 After a very difficult and protracted labor and delivery.

 Indeed, the tranquility of this now mature park - belies the tumult of its birth.

 Though conceived in 1960, it would be another decade before Michigan's Senator Philip Hart could muster enough support from the various stakeholders to make the national park a reality.

 Most Leelanau seasonal and permanent residents were fiercely opposed to this "land grab" by the feds.

 They feared the development of a Gatlinburg type park overrun by hoards of downstate "fudgies."

  Mostly though - they feared losing their cherished land.

 "Let Sleeping Bears Sleep" was their rallying cry - as Senator Hart and Interior Secretary Stewart Udall  were hung in effigy in Traverse City.

 Finally, in 1970, the worst of it came to pass when the actual land appropriation began.

 Over 20,000 acres were liberated from private owners - fully one third of the total park area.

Majestic dunes, pristine beaches and lush woodlands - all taken for the greater public good.

Purchased by the government at a fraction of today's values.

 To the thousand families who sacrificed their sacred lands, ...

 So that we might experience this stunning beauty:

Many Thanks To You.
See You In Leelanau Up North,
Chris
                    Visit A Leelanau Landmark:  The Sleeping Bear Dunes National
                    Lakeshore 50th Anniversary Celebration - now somewhat subdued
                    because of corona.  All park facilities are scheduled to re-open by
                    July 1st.  Contact the Visitor's Center for complete details on all 
                    park programs and the latest updates.  (231) 326-4700
NOTE:  CLICK  ON  'SUBSCRIBE'  AND  ENJOY  A  BIT  OF  LEELANAU  BIWEEKLY!



















Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

On Chance In Leelanau

Image
Photo Courtesy Of Pure Michigan I like to contemplate chance encounters. Like when I'm walking the beach at Platte Bay, ... And another solitary hiker approaches from the shadow of the dunes. As we pass, we might exchange a smile, a greeting, perhaps a few trite words. Just two travelers, on a stretch of sand, in a fleeting moment ... Which will likely never be repeated in the history of the world. Still, I marvel at how we got here - strangers, you and I. How from the beginning of time ... To the circumstances of our births, To the unfolding of our lives, To our decision to walk the beach at Platte Bay, To the precise interplay of our gravity, force and momentum, The universe has conspired ... To cross our paths ... At this very minute. What are the chances? See You In Leelanau Up North, Chris                     Visit A Leelanau Landmark:  Platte Bay - A graceful curve of the                ...
Read more

In Leelanau, ... Looking Back

Image
Empire  Beach  Sunset To behold a Leelanau sunset, Is to glimpse a bit of heaven from earth. But not in real time. For to look at a Leelanau sunset, Is to look back in time - About 8.3 minutes ago to be precise. Which is the time it takes for our sunlight To make its 93 million mile journey To the Land of Delight. So, the sun actually sets eight plus minutes before the sunset image we view from our little planet. Indeed, everything we see in this universe is time delayed, By milliseconds to millions of years, Depending upon its distance from our eyes. In other words, ... In Leelanau and beyond, Now is an illusion. See You In Leelanau Up North, Chris                 Visit A Leelanau Landmark:  Leelanau Up North - recently named                one of the top 70 Michigan blogs by the editors at Feedspot.com.                Check out Michigan's most popular...
Read more

A Leelanau Christmas

Image
  View From Empire Beach When I was a younger man,  He never told me ... There would be longings without fulfillment. There would be heartaches without healing. There would be questions without answers. But now, as an older man, I remember what He did say ... There would be love without conditions. Nothing else really matters.
Read more