Welcome to Manitou Beach, MIManitou Beach, nestled between Devils Lake (1300 acres) and Round Lake (550 acres) is in the Irish Hills area of Lenawee County. According to the 2000 census the population is 2,080 residents. First discovered by pioneer settlers in the 1880s, the name “Manitou” is derived from the Potawatomi name of Devils Lake, “Michemanetue” meaning “Lake of the (evil) Spirit.” According to local folklore, the daughter of Potawatomi Chief Meteau tragically drowned in this lake. Since her body was never recovered, the chief proclaimed that she was taken by evil spirits. “Manitou” is the Potawatomi word for “great spirit,” either good or evil.
In the early 20th century, Manitou Beach developed as a summer vacation area primarily visited by train from Toledo. While only 40 miles northeast of Toledo, Devils lake and Round Lake were considered “up north” for the northwest Ohio residents. Weekends were spent at the Dance Pavilion on the south shore of Devils Lake, where entertainers like Frank Sinatra and Sandra Dee played and sang every summer weekend. The area was heavily damaged by two tornadoes over Easter weekend in 1965. The hundreds of cottages destroyed were rebuilt into year-round homes. Manitou Beach continues to attract a number of residents who choose to live in this resort community, with nearly 40% living here all year. Most of the old cottages have been replaced or remodeled to allow this trend in home ownership. | More Local Area InformationAdrian is approximately 30 miles southwest of Ann Arbor and 30 miles southeast of Jackson. With a population of 21,574 (according to the 200... Read moreManchester, MI is located within Washtenaw County. The village has a population of 2,160 people, according to the 2000 census. Conveniently locate... Read moreThe city of Tecumseh within Lenawee County, about 25 miles south of Ann Arbor and 60 miles southwest of Detroit. According to the 2000 census, th... Read moreJackson is located about 40 miles west of Ann Arbor along interstate 94. According to the 2000 census, the city population stands at 36,316... Read moreChelsea, Michigan is a growing city of about 4,500 located 15 miles west of Ann Arbor, offering all the charm of a small town within an easy drive o... Read moreChelsea is a picture-perfect town located about 25 miles west of the greater Ann Arbor area. With a population of 4,398 (according to the 200... Read moreSaline, Michigan, a city of about 9000, is located seven miles southwest of Ann Arbor and is the gateway to the Irish Hills, an exceptionally sceni... Read moreSaline has been named by CNN Money Magazine to the annual list of "Best Places to Live: Top 100 in the United States" three times in a row... Read moreLocated in Washtenaw County, Saline, MI is just 9 miles south of the greater Ann Arbor area and has a population of 8,034 people (according to th... Read moreThe village of Dundee is part of Monroe County, Michigan, centrally located 27 miles south of Ann Arbor, 58 miles southwest of Detroit, and 30 mile... Read moreWith so much to offer new residents—peaceful streets, a vibrant, inviting community, and fun attractions all in a convenient location—the village o... Read moreFrom shopping vintage antiques to golfing the 9-hole Dundee Golf Club course, there are always things to do in Dundee. Dundee and its neighborin... Read moreDexter, Michigan is a growing village located eight miles west of Ann Arbor and has a population of about 4,000. Although its residents depend to ... Read moreDexter is a village in Washtenaw County, just outside the greater Ann Arbor area, with a population of 2,338 people (according to the 2000 census)... Read moreAnn Arborites absolutely love it here, for so many reasons. Although it is a relatively small city, with fewer than 130,000 residents, it is home t... Read moreAnn Arbor is a spectacular city situated in the southern part of the state just 35 miles west of Detroit. It is an area with four seasons and beaut... Read moreAnn Arbor is the seventh largest city in Michigan, with a population of 113,206 (according to the 2006 U.S. Census Bureau). 32% are university o... Read moreYpsilanti is within Washtenaw County, between Ann Arbor and metro Detroit. According to the 2000 census the city population is 22,362. Ypsilanti i... Read moreLocated between Detroit and Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti is perfectly sited to take advantage of the best of what southeast Michigan has to offer. The hom... Read moreMason is a city of approximately 7000 people southeast of Lansing and is the county seat of Ingham County. The historic county courthouse is th... Read more |
