Elk Rapids in Antrim County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Elk Rapids Golf Park
Elk Rapids thrived in the late nineteenth century due to the lumber industry boom and local iron and chemical manufacturing plants. When the economy declined, people left to find work. Between 1910 and 1920. the town lost two-thirds of its population. In 1921, residents formed the Elk Rapids Resort and Industrial Association. Their goal was to build a golf course to increase tourism. In a September 1922 special election, voters passed a $9,000 bond for park purposes, including the golf course. To design the course, the association hired Scottish golf course architect Donald J. Ross, whose prior work included the Oakland Hills course in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Residents built this golf course to draw tourists to Elk Rapids. Architect Donald Ross chose the 60-acre Gumbert farm as the park’s location. It was close to town and offered electricity on a lake-front building site. Workers converted the one-and-a-half-story farm house into a club house. Construction on the nine-hole course began in May 1923. The Elk Rapids Golf Club was incorporated in August 1923, with shares being sold for one hundred dollars each. The Golf Park celebrated its grand opening with a community picnic on July 15, 1924. Local businesses and the post office closed for part of the day. Visitors came from Traverse City and across the county to play on the new course.
Erected 2015 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number 2265.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1923.
Location. 44° 54.001′ N, 85° 23.694′ W. Marker is in Elk Rapids, Michigan, in Antrim County. Marker is on Ames Street north of Bass and Ojibwa Streets, on the right when traveling north. It is two tenths of a mile south of Golf Course Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 724 Ames St, Elk Rapids MI 49629, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Elk River, Entry to the Chain of Lakes of Antrim County (approx. ¾ mile away); Early Elk Rapids and the Elk River (approx. ¾ mile away); Elk Rapids (approx. ¾ mile away); Land of Anishinabek (approx. ¾ mile away); Why All of the Stumps? (approx. ¾ mile away); Because of the Water... (approx. ¾ mile away); Rotary Park "Centennial Project" (approx. ¾ mile away); The Island House (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elk Rapids.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 46 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 10, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.