Benzonia Academy Lecture Series: “Passenger Steamers: Destination Benzie County: The Golden Era of Steamship Travel and Summer Resorts” Presented By: Larry White

Description

“Passenger Steamers: Destination Benzie County: 

The Golden Era of Steamship Travel and Summer Resorts”

Presented By:  Larry White

Thursday, August 8th, 7:00 P.M.

The Mills Community House And On Zoom

Steamship travel on Lake Michigan dates to the mid-1800s. However, by the late 1800s, there was a dramatic rise in the number of steamships and passengers, largely driven by the summer resort business. In this lecture, we will look back to a time when taking a vacation in northern Michigan included many who arrived by boat—on a passenger steamer.

In an era before automobiles, the allure and convenience of an overnight voyage from Chicago or Milwaukee to port cities like Frankfort was filled with adventure.  Getting there was half the fun.   Many summer destinations awaited in Frankfort and beyond, including resorts on Crystal Lake, Platte Lake, Lower Herring Lake, and more.  

What was it like to travel on one of these majestic boats?  How long did it take to get here?  Where did they stay?  What is the legacy of steamship travel in Benzie County?  Join us to learn more about this fascinating chapter in the development of Benzie County as a world-class summer destination.

Larry White has been fascinated by steamship travel since he was a child, hearing stories from his grandparents about arriving each summer on a passenger steamer from Chicago, going back to their first arrival in 1903.  Family photographs and his great-grandfather’s diaries document early experiences aboard these boats and have led Larry to dive deeper into the role of passenger steamers in bringing families to this area.  

Larry currently serves as president of the Benzie Area Historical Society and on several Board Committees, including Collections, Communications, and Finance. He is passionate about local history and has been active in promoting the Museum and Society's mission. Retired from a career in technology, Larry and his wife, Carole, reside in Crystal Lake and enjoy being part of the greater Benzie community.

This presentation, part of the Benzie Area Historical Society’s Benzonia Academy Lecture Series, is open to all. It is held on the second Thursday of each month; admission is by donation, making it accessible to everyone. We recommend a donation of $ 5, but any amount is appreciated.

For more information about this fascinating lecture on August 8th, visit the Benzie Area Historical Society’s website, benziemuseum.org, Instagram, or Facebook page; call the Museum at (231) 882-5539; or email info@benziemuseum.org. Don't miss out on this enriching historical experience!