Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Leelanau County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Pierce Stocking
1908-1976
Pierce Stocking, a native of northern Lower Michigan, worked as a lumberman and spent much of his leisure time in the woods. He wanted to share his love of nature with others and conceived the idea of constructing a scenic drive onto the Sleeping Bear Dunes. He envisioned people of all ages and degrees of physical fitness experiencing the sand dunes and the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. At the same time, he hoped to protect the fragile dunes and woods from excessive human use by concentrating activity along the road and at scenic overlooks and picnic areas.
In 1967, Pierce Stocking fulfilled his dream with the opening of the scenic drive to the public. The drive was operated privately until 1977 when it became a part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Environment • Natural Features • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1967.
Location.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sand and Ice (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Moving Dune (approx. Ύ mile away); Mother Bear Is Migrating (approx. 1.4 miles away); Of Wrecks and Water Trails (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Legend of the Manitou Islands and the Sleeping Bear (approx. 1.4 miles away); Sleeping Bear Point Life Saving Station. (approx. 2.4 miles away); Empire Methodist Church (approx. 4.4 miles away); North Unity (approx. 9.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Also see . . . Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. (Submitted on September 30, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 513 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 30, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.