CHARLEVOIX COUNTY
County Offices
203 Antrim Street
Charlevoix 231-547-7200
www.charlevoixcounty.org
Chamber of Commerce
109 Mason Street
Charlevoix 231-547-2101
www.charlevoix.org
Water-rich and breathtakingly beautiful, Charlevoix County maintains its seat of government in the city of Charlevoix, the place where Lake Charlevoix drains into Lake Michigan via the Round Lake/Pine River complex. The city serves as a hub along the water route to communities like East Jordan and Boyne City, welcoming significant commercial, industrial, and recreational boat traffic.
Services
Support for education has long been a legacy of Charlevoix County, where students of all ages enjoy the finest of opportunities. Public school districts combine with opportunities for a private education to ensure first-rate alternatives from preschool through high school. North Central Michigan College in Petoskey and Northwest Michigan College in Traverse City are primarily two-year public institutions that offer bachelor-level studies and degrees in collaboration with major state universities like Lake Superior State University, Lawrence Technological University, Michigan State University, and Spring Arbor University. North Central offers classes in East Jordan as part of a multi-use industry and business project. Regardless of where you choose to settle in Charlevoix County, you will find a quality educational institution within a reasonable commute from home.
The network of healthcare services and facilities in Charlevoix County is anchored by Charlevoix Area Hospital. Most recently, an $11 million upgrade and expansion reshaped nearly the entire hospital. Hospital administrators and staff members are proud of the institution’s reputation as one of the most progressive and capable of Michigan’s community hospitals. Sophisticated diagnostic tools and advanced imaging, 24-hour emergency services, family birthing, medical and surgical specialties, respiratory therapies, a sleep center, sports medicine, intensive care, and special services like diabetes management are just of a few of the needs that the hospital provides to a regional population. Charlevoix Area Hospital sees nearly 30,000 outpatients each year and staffs a medical center in Boyne City. Rehabilitation services are also available in Boyne City and East Jordan. The Beaver Island Rural Medical Center opened in recent years to provide on-site care to visitors and residents of the island.
Lifestyle
Lovely Charlevoix County claims picturesque waterfront communities, rolling townships, and outstanding recreational advantages around the four seasons. Avalanche Mountain Preserve features more than 300 acres of lush woodland along the southern border of Boyne City, a preserve that extends into Wilson Township. This recreational destination offers a sloping terrain that is ideal for hiking, biking, skiing, skating, jogging, snowmobiling, archery, and disc golf. Sandy beaches dot the area, often adjacent to a scenic park with picnic facilities or a charming gazebo. Water lovers can take a relaxed and peaceful canoe or kayak float down the lazy Boyne or Jordan rivers, while serious boaters will want to explore Walloon Lake and Lake Charlevoix and then head out to the Great Lakes through the channel. Sailers from novice to advanced will find a paradise in Charlevoix County. Golfers can choose from family friendly 9-hole courses to signature greens designed by legends like Robert Trent Jones, Arthur Hills, Donald Ross, and Pete Dye. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore miles of pristine state land and acres of nature preserves. When the snow flies, enjoy the thrill of cross country and downhill skiing or snowboarding on some of the Midwest’s finest trails and mountains. Snowmobiling may just be the most popular sport, and certainly the winter sport of choice. One of the unusual pastimes in this area is “mushrooming” in the spring and fall, when edible mushrooms are available for harvesting.
Cultural, historic, and commercial attractions beckon residents and visitors alike to enjoy fine museums, distinctive shopping, and colorful annual events. Charlevoix offers the Harsha House Museum, a Victorian style house built in 1891 that offers a showcase of period treasures. Other sites in the city include the Railroad Depot Museum and the Earl Young Homes, the latter called “fairy houses” for their storybook whimsy. Others call them “mushroom houses” for their irregular shapes. Castle Farms draws visitors to a renaissance castle with magnificent stone towers, fragrant gardens, and cobblestone courtyards. Crooked Tree Arts Center in nearby Petoskey features an 1890 ornate Victorian-style edifice. The Ironton Ferry, established as long ago as 1876, crosses Lake Charlevoix’s South Arm, five miles south of Charlevoix. Those who enjoy isolated enchantment will want to visit Beaver Island, located in the upper section of Lake Michigan about 20 miles from Charlevoix. Proud of the Irish descent of many of its permanent residents, the island charms vacationers and offers a serene lifestyle for local residents. Wherever you choose to settle in Charlevoix County, you will be assured of scenic beauty, friendly neighbors, the finest recreational resources, and first-rate services.
Beaver Island, St. James Township, Peiane Township
Beaver Island
231-448-2476
www.beaverisland.net
St. James Town Hall
231-448-2834
Peiane Town Hall
231-448-2389
www.charlevoixcounty.org/peainetwp.asp
Chamber of Commerce
231-448 2505
www.beaverisland.org
Beaver Island is one of Michigan’s most beloved summer vacation destinations, a remote paradise accessible only by water. Inexpensive lodging, natural beauty, and a sense of serenity keep visitors coming back year after year. Peaine Township makes up nearly three-quarters of Beaver Island’s total area, although the island is probably more closely associated with St. James Township. The St. James Township Harbor on Beaver Island is a focal point of nautical activity. Peaine Township is the largest in the county, claiming more than 30 miles of Lake Michigan beachfront and more than 70 miles of picturesque country roads. This sprawling township creates a panoramic background for rural living from single-family homes, summer residences, and farms to thriving businesses. Local features include restaurants, historic sites, a golf course, a camping ground, and local businesses. Fishing, hunting, water sports, and boating play vital roles in a Peiane Township and Beaver Island lifestyle. All but one of Beaver Island’s lakes falls within the township border.
Boyne City, Boyne Falls Village, Boyne Valley Township
City Offices
231-582-6597
www.cityofboynecity.com
Town Hall
231-549-3130
Chamber of Commerce
231-582-6222
www.boynechamber.com
Situated along the eastern shore of beautiful Lake Charlevoix, Boyne City offers a growing community of active residents. The city has a progressive attitude toward positive growth and development and has added a number of industries in recent years. Nearly 12 miles of lake frontage are dotted with lush parks, a municipal beach, and a boardwalk on the Boyne River. The lively downtown district features restaurants, convenience stores, and gift shops. Boyne also hosts some outstanding recreational facilities and events, including Great Lakes boating, world-class golfing, excellent hunting and fishing, and one of the finest downhill ski resorts in the entire Midwest. The Boyne City Main Street Program is sure to keep revitalization and preservation as common goals. The Boyne City Farmer’s Market is one of the best in the region, combining farm-fresh good with crafts and baked goods. Ice fishing and snowmobiling are extremely popular winter sports. Boyne Falls Village was incorporated in 1893 and named for the falls on the Boyne River. The village features rolling hills and a prime location crossed by US Highway 131, which led to its development as a regional ski resort and four-season recreational complex.
City of Charlevoix
City Offices
231-547-3250
www.cityofcharlevoix.org
Chamber of Commerce
231-547-2101
www.charlevoix.org
Perched on an isthmus between Lake Michigan and Round Lake, the unique city of Charlevoix sprawls out onto the shores of Lake Charlevoix. The modest year-round population swells in the summer months to accommodate tens of thousands of vacationers, seasonal residents, and visitors. In contrast, some residents have called this area their home for generations, descendents of early commercial fishermen. Local restaurants are world-renowned for their cuisine, while the area’s lakes are destination sites for sports fishing and boating. The spectacular sunsets over Lake Michigan are rivaled only by the dreamy moon rise over Round Lake. The city serves as a center for arts and culture in northern Michigan, home to festivals, art fairs, art galleries, museums, and live stage productions. The natural beauty of the area has drawn many artists and artisans to the city, and shopping is lively and colorful in unique boutiques and stores. Charlevoix is a jewel of a city, shimmering with blue water, white sand, and gleaming yachts. Elegant Victorian homes, picket fences, blooming petunias, and a truly gracious atmosphere are just a few of the city’s captivating features.
City of East Jordan
City Offices
231-536-3381
www.eastjordancity.org
Chamber of Commerce
231-536-7351
www.ejchamber.org
The growing city of East Jordan is a community on the move, welcoming new businesses to its “Up North” down district. The renovation of historic buildings is driving the renaissance of activity and vitality into East Jordan. Popular pastimes include camping, boating, fishing, hunting, golfing, snowmobiling, and skiing in a four-season natural paradise. Lakes, rivers, and rolling countryside serve as scenic backdrops for outdoor adventures. Ideally set against the beauty of Lake Charlevoix, this waterfront city draws newcomers to an exceptional quality of life that includes some of Michigan’s finest schools. East Jordan offers a thriving local economy, wonderful parks with beaches and camping, a municipal harbor, a lively downtown, a wide variety of sports facilities, a farmer’s market, and lush parks. The surrounding region is ideal for camping, boating, hunting, fishing, biking, hiking, water sports, and particularly winter sports like snowmobiling. Residents and leaders are committed to growing East Jordan in a balanced way that preserves its quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods.
(Walloon Lake Area) Melrose Township, Hudson Township
Hudson Town Hall
231-549-2646
www.hudsontownship.org
Melrose Town Hall
231-535-2310
www.charlevoixcounty.org/melrose.asp
Chamber of Commerce
231-347-4150
www.ci.hudson.mi.us/chamber-of-commerce
The breathtaking Walloon Lake began as a river valley that was reshaped and deepened by glacial activity. Today, the lake is more than seven square miles and offers a shoreline of 30 miles. Walloon Lake is famous as the earthly paradise of Ernest Hemingway, whose family spent summers in this scenic area during his growing-up years. For more than 120 years, the Walloon Lake area has been the summer choice of wealthy executives and their families. The panoramic lake with its shimmering waters and backdrop of rolling hills is the highlight of the region. One of the state’s deepest lakes, Walloon is fed primarily by ground water with only a few inlet creeks. Whether you build your dream summer home in the Walloon Lake area or decide to settle in this idyllic natural wonderland permanently, the housing market is exceptionally attractive and diverse. From cozy cottages to lavish manors, the Walloon Lake area supports a wide range of lifestyles.
