Omena, Michigan
Omena is a small unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Leelanau Township of Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 267.[3] Overlooking Omena Bay, on the western side of Grand Traverse Bay, Omena is home to wineries and farms including a thriving organic farming movement that includes cherries and hops. The area has several wineries featuring some of the region's cherry and grape crop, for which the Grand Traverse and Leelanau areas are known. The nearest substantial city is Traverse City, 23 miles (37 km) to the south.
Omena, Michigan | |
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Looking south at Omena on M-22 | |
Omena Location in Michigan Omena Location in the United States | |
Coordinates: 45°03′20″N 85°35′20″W | |
Country | United States |
State | Michigan |
County | Leelanau |
Township | Leelanau |
Area | |
• Total | 4.57 sq mi (11.83 km2) |
• Land | 4.52 sq mi (11.70 km2) |
• Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2) |
Elevation | 604 ft (184 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 267 |
• Density | 59/sq mi (22.8/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP Code | 49674 (P.O. Box) |
Area code(s) | 231 |
FIPS code | 26-60640[1] |
GNIS feature ID | 634055[2] |
History
In 1852, the Rev. Peter Daugherty relocated an Indian mission from Old Mission on the Old Mission Peninsula across the western arm of the Grand Traverse Bay to what was at first called "New Mission". He (built) a small Presbyterian church there as the nucleus of the community. The church continues an active schedule of services during the summer months. The word "omena" comes from o-me-nah, an Ojibwe expression meaning "Is that so?" or "Is that really true?", and was Rev. Daugherty's characteristic response to statements made by Indians. A post office with that name was established in February 1858. Omena also happens to mean "apple" in Finnish, but that is believed to be merely a coincidence.
It was a stop on the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad and was regarded as a summer resort area. Among others, Benjamin Grierson, a U.S. Civil War general, had a summer home in Omena, as did General Byron Cutcheon.
Geography
Omena is in northeastern Leelanau County on the west side of Grand Traverse Bay, an arm of Lake Michigan. It is served by one state highway, M-22, which leads south 23 miles (37 km) to Traverse City and north 5 miles (8 km) to Northport.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Omena CDP has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.8 km2), of which 4.5 square miles (11.7 km2) are land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2), or 1.10%, are water.[4]
See also
References
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Omena, Michigan
- "Total Population: 2010 Census DEC Summary File 1 (P1), Omena CDP, Michigan". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- "U.S. Gazetteer Files: 2019: Places: Michigan". U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
Further reading
- Clarke Historical Library, Central, Michigan University, Bibliography for Leelanau County
- Powers, Perry F. A history of northern Michigan and its people. Assisted by Harry Gardner Cutler. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1912. p. 351
- Romig, Walter. Michigan Place Names. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1986.
- Wait, Steven Edwin and Anderson, William S. Old settlers; : a historical and chronological record, together with personal experiences and reminiscences of members of the Old settlers of the Grand Traverse region. Traverse City, Mich.: [Ebner brothers], 1918. p. 18
- Wakefield, Lawrence, Ed. "A History of Leelanau Township". Friends of the Leelanau Township Library, 1982. p. 188
- Omena Bay Painters, OmenaBayPainters.com
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Omena, Michigan. |
- Leelanau Township Library Website
- Omena history at the Omena Historical Society
- New Mission Organics