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Traverse City in Grand Traverse County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

Novotny's Saloon

 
 
Novotny's Saloon Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, September 26, 2020
1. Novotny's Saloon Marker
Inscription. In 1886, Antoine Novotny, one of the Bohemian founders of this community, built a bar on this site. Novotny's Saloon was the social center of the city's south side and headquarters of the Traverse City Hustlers semi-pro baseball team. In 1939 the business was purchased by William H. Dill, and the name changed to Dill’s. In the ensuing years, the adjacent meat market and vegetable stand were added to the pre-existing establishment. The second floor was the home of both the Salvation Army and a dance hall. On April 22, 1978, a fire destroyed the original wood frame building. This near replica of that structure, which was completed ten weeks later, continues to be one of Traverse City's social centers.
 
Erected 1980 by Michigan History Division, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L0737.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 22, 1978.
 
Location. 44° 45.584′ N, 85° 37.421′ W. Marker is in Traverse City, Michigan, in Grand Traverse County. It is on South Union Street north of East Eighth Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 423 S Union St, Traverse City MI 49684, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula and in the Grand Traverse Bay Region. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers.
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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Central United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ladies Library Association / Ladies Library Building (approx. Ό mile away); Congregation Beth El (approx. 0.3 miles away); City Opera House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hannah and Lay Mercantile Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Park Place Hotel (approx. 0.3 miles away); Grand Traverse County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); World War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Traverse City.
 
Another marker is no longer nearby. Ladies Library Building (was approx. Ό mile away but has been confirmed missing).
 
Additional keywords. Restaurant
 
Novotny's Saloon Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, September 26, 2020
2. Novotny's Saloon Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2021, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,021 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on March 8, 2021, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
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Jun. 8, 2026