visit in Manistee County

The S.S. City of Milwaukee, a car ferry dating back to 1931, is one interesting historic location to visit in Manistee. (File photo)

5 HISTORIC SPOTS to visit in Manistee County

ERIN GLYNN VENTURE STAFF WRITER

Manistee County has a rich history formed by people from Finnish immigrants to lumber barons to sea captains. Here are some interesting local spots.

S.S. City of Milwaukee

The S.S. City of Milwaukee is a car ferry dating back to 1931. The National Historic Landmarks program classified the ship as the “sole surviving example of a pre1940 ‘classic’-period Great Lakes car ferry.” She was retired permanently in 1982. Now, the ship is docked in Manistee and operates as a bed-and -breakfast from May through early September and a haunted attraction called Ghost Ship in October. Tours are also available throughout the summer. Visit www.carferry.com/ for information.

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts

After the Scandinavian Opera House was destroyed by a fire, enterprising local attorney T.J. Ramsdell set about building a new source of entertainment for the county in 1902. The Ramsdell Theatre became a community arts center, home to the Manistee Civic Players, Manistee Art Institute and an entertainment series. It’s where actor James Earl Jones got his start in the mid-1950s. The Ramsdell was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. It now provides live shows, including music, theater and dance, as well as art exhibits and workshops from area teachers. Visit ramsdelltheatre.org/ for more information.

Kaleva Bottle House

The Kaleva Historical Musuem is a sight to behold. It’s inside a house built out of 60,000 bottles from the local bottling factory by John Makinen in the 1940s. Visiting hours are Saturdays and Sundays, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend from noon to 4 p.m. To schedule a group tour contact Beverly Johnson at 231-362-2487. While you’re in the area, you can also take the chance to check out the nearby glass mosaic displays that harken back to Kaleva’s history as a town settled by Finnish immigrants.

Portage Point Resort

Portage Point Resort is a historic waterfront inn built in 1903. It’s located in Onekama, between the shores of Portage Lake and Lake Michigan. At the turn of the century, it was served by the steamships of the Northern Michigan Transportation Company, which provided direct service from Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee.

You can take a look around or stay for the night. The inn has a pool, boat slips and beach access and offers activities like sandcastle contests and shuffleboard. Visit www. portagepointresort.com/ for more information.

There are glass mosaics about Finnish mythology that are worth a trip if you’re visiting the Kaleva Bottle House. (File photo)

Manistee County Historical Museum

A list of favorite historical spots would not be complete without one of Manistee County’s own museums! The museum is housed inside the former building of the A.H. Lyman Drug Co., the consolidation of three of Manistee’s early drug companies, according to the museum’s website. The structure remains as it was in 1907 and the museum keeps a special pharmacy exhibit in remembrance of the store’s earlier history. Museum hours are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in January, February and March. From April through December, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find more information at www. manisteemuseum.org/ .

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