Near Empire in Leelanau County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mother Bear Is Migrating
— Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore —
The Bear kept her shaggy shape until the early 20th century when a series of natural events and human intrusions inflicted irreversible damage (see below). The erosion continues. One day, it seems this sleeping bear will wake up and move on.
Gradually, then Suddenly
For ages, waves have been wearing away the base of the bluff on which the Bear sleeps. As they do, sand and rocks slide down. Human actions have accelerated this erosion.
1935 Work begins on placing a marker for the Coast and Geodetic Survey of the Great Lakes. Horses hauling materials cut a trail up the Bear's southwest face in line with strong winds off the lake. This was the beginning of the end.
1949 It wasn't long before wind felled a 200-year-old pine. By 1941, all trees on the southwest slope had either rolled down to Lake Michigan or been used for campfires. Soon, dune rides were parking at the base of the Bear.
2017 Decades of wind from the southwest have blown sand up and over the Mother Bear's back, burying the northeastern trees. The whole perched dune is now creeping in that direction.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Landmarks • Natural Features. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1721.
Location. 44° 51.505′ N, 86° 4.018′ W. Marker is near Empire, Michigan, in Leelanau County. Marker can be reached from Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Marker is a wayside exhibit on the viewing platform at Lake Michigan Overlook, which is stop #9 on Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Empire MI 49630, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Legend of the Manitou Islands and the Sleeping Bear (here, next to this marker); Of Wrecks and Water Trails (here, next to this marker); Pierce Stocking (approx. 1.4 miles away); Sand and Ice (approx. 2 miles away); The Moving Dune (approx. 2.1 miles away); Empire Methodist Church (approx. 3.3 miles away); Sleeping Bear Point Life Saving Station. (approx. 3.8 miles away); North Unity (approx. 10˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Empire.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2022. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 16, 2022. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.