Interlochen Center for the Arts in Grand Traverse County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Interlochen

Photographed by James Robinson, October 11, 2024

1. Interlochen Marker

Inscription. Ottawa Indians once lived in the pine forest between Lakes Wahbekaness and Wahbekanetta. In the late 1800s white men came and cut the pines, leaving only a small forest between the lakes. This virgin pine was purchased in 1917 by the state and became part of one of the first state parks. When the lumber era ended, the Wylie Cooperage mill occupied the Indian village site, making barrels until the hardwood ran out. Willis Pennington’s summer hotel, opened in 1909, was popular with fishermen until automobiles and better roads drew them elsewhere. Then, in 1918, Camp Interlochen, one of Michigan’s first girls’ recreation camps, was opened, followed in 1922 by Camp Pennloch for boys. In 1928, by arrangement with Willis Pennington, Joseph E. Maddy and Thaddeus P. Giddings established the National High School Orchestra Camp. It grew rapidly in scope, size, and reputation, becoming the National Music Camp in 1931, and affiliating with the University of Michigan in 1942. Interlochen Arts Academy was chartered in 1960 to provide year-round training in the creative arts.

Erected 1961 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number 225.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education

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• Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 44° 37.757′ N, 85° 46.125′ W. Marker is near Interlochen, Michigan, in Grand Traverse County. It is in Interlochen Center for the Arts. It can be reached from J. Maddy Parkway 2.8 miles south of U.S. 31, on the right when traveling south. It is on Osterlin Pedestrian Mall near the main entrances to the of Kresge Auditorium at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Ask guard for a visitor's pass so you can park to view the marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4000 J Maddy Pkwy, Interlochen MI 49643, 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. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Thompsonville Junction / Village of Thompsonville (approx. 11.4 miles away); Friends Meetinghouse (approx. 11½ miles away); Novotny's Saloon (approx. 11½ miles away); Central United Methodist Church (approx. 11.7 miles away); The J.E. Greilick Factory (approx. 11.7 miles away); Second Industrial Revolution (approx. 11.7 miles away); Ladies Library Association / Ladies Library Building (approx. 11.7 miles away); Korean War Memorial (approx. 11.7 miles away).

Another

Photographed by Dan Hahn

2. Interlochen Marker

Image of the marker just before it was sent off for repair.

marker is no longer nearby. Ladies Library Building (was approx. 11.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Interlochen Center for the Arts — Our History. Excerpt:

Inspired by the success of the National High School Orchestra, Maddy and fellow music educator Thaddeus P. Giddings became determined to create more opportunities for talented musicians to rehearse and perform together. Maddy and Giddings, reflecting on their own experiences at choral conducting retreats in upstate New York, conceived the idea of a secluded summer camp for young musicians. On July 6, 1927, Maddy and Giddings incorporated the National High School Orchestra Camp.

Maddy began a nationwide search for a site for the program and quickly identified Maine and Michigan as preferred locations. Businessman Willis Pennington heard about Maddy's mission and invited him to tour his property, a narrow strip of land between two lakes in northern Michigan. Maddy was entranced with the area and purchased a portion of Pennington's property for the National High School Orchestra Camp.

(Submitted on October 29, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Photographed by Dan Hahn

3. Interlochen Marker

Image of the marker just before it was sent off for repair.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 756 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on December 25, 2024, by James Robinson of Interlochen, Michigan. Photos: 1. submitted on December 25, 2024, by James Robinson of Interlochen, Michigan. 2, 3. submitted on October 29, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.