On Niagara Street at Lake Michigan Drive, in the median on Niagara Street.
The Empire Lumber Company operated
from 1887 to 1917, dominating this once
booming lumber town. Empire, incorporated in 1895, derived its name
from the schooner “Empire” which was
icebound here during a storm in 1865.
George Aylsworth operated . . . — — Map (db m257317) HM
On Front Street at Union Street, on the left when traveling west on Front Street.
The "Empire Methodist Church" - built in 1895. The Empire Area Methodists gathered here for services, Sunday school, weddings and funerals till their new church was built in 1963. It is now the Masonic Temple. — — Map (db m98318) HM
Near Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive 2.1 miles west of South Dune Highway, on the right when traveling west.
Once, long ago, in the land called Wisconsin across the great lake, there was terrible hunger and many people died. A bear and two little cubs were trying to leave that place and come around the lake where there would be more food.
They . . . — — Map (db m208029) HM
Do you see her? The Sleeping Bear is the large dune about a mile away, perched along the edge of the bluff. She hardly looks like a bear now, but in August 1721, French historian Pierre Charlevoix canoed past the dunes and described "a kind of bush" . . . — — Map (db m208027) HM
Near Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive 2.1 miles west of South Dune Highway, on the right when traveling south.
…scarcely had we gotten out into Lake Michigan than we were beset by a horrible tempest and in an instant out rudder was broken to pieces…Not being able to control our course, we were during the night the toy of gigantic waves which . . . — — Map (db m208025) HM
On Niagara Street at Lake Michigan Drive, in the median on Niagara Street.
The little village where natural quiet and beauty surround us was
not always like this. On the peaceful shore where the schooner
“Empire” foundered grew a bustling mill and village. While the
Sleeping Bear overlooked the scene, millions of feet . . . — — Map (db m257326) HM
On Niagara Street at Lake Michigan Drive, in the median on Niagara Street.
Empire is the Trail Head of the Michigan Riding and Hiking Trail.
This 234 mile shore to shore trail from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron was dedicated by Governor
George Romney in May of 1964. It represents the combined efforts of the Michigan . . . — — Map (db m257323) HM
