Little Traverse Bay, Past and Present

Lake Street

110 Petoskey (immediately east of the depot on the same side of the street) and the Cushman, across the street. Saloons, dry goods establishments, hardware stores, drugstores, jewelers, bazaars, and specialty shops followed. Always a bit more oriented to catering to the summer visitors than Mitchell Street, Lake Street was the natural pathway for those coming up into town from the waterfront or heading back to catch a ship or Pere Marquette train.This heightened foot-traffic pattern remains in place today. East Lake Street East Lake Street is at the center of today’s “Gaslight District” and since Petoskey’s creation, it and Mitchell and Howard streets have formed Petoskey’s commercial heart. Lake Street’s early advantage began when the Grand Rapids and Indiana railroad decided to build its first depot on it.This meant that both freight and passengers would unload at that location, and the closer a hotel or business was to the depot, the easier and less expensive it was for customers to reach it.Two hotels sprang up immediately: the Occidental Lake Street View down Lake Street, 1877. The recently constructed Cushman Hotel is visible on the left. (Courtesy of Little Traverse Historical Society) Lake Street looking west, 1889. (Courtesy of Little Traverse Historical Society) Lake Street 111 When the former Emmet County courthouse was demolished in the 1960s, its replacement was built at the same site­ —the corner of Division and Lake streets. (Courtesy of Little Traverse Historical Society) 112 Petoskey The GR & I suburban station was located next door to the Elks Hall. Neither structure survives; the site is part of the county’s government complex. (Courtesy of Little Traverse Historical Society; Rebecca Zeiss) Lake Street 113 114 Petoskey Since 1875 food and drink have been served at 432 East Lake Street. The original McCarthy’s Hall was followed by establishments of various names; over time the business grew to include an openair “Palm Garden” to the east and later, in 1910, the Grill Café building was constructed and guests there enjoyed fine-dining experiences. Patrons at the City Park Grill still sit at the thirty-two-foot-long Brunswick mahogany bar where generations of locals and visitors have lifted glasses. (Courtesy of Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University; courtesy of Little Traverse Historical Society; Rebecca Zeiss) Lake Street 115 116 Petoskey Lake Street 117 For decades Rosenthals Department Store was a fixture at 406 East Lake Street. Its stock included fine clothes and a whole floor dedicated to carpets. Annual buying trips to major cities ensured that the stock was of high quality and in fashion. (Courtesy of Little Traverse Historical Society; Rebecca Zeiss) 118 Petoskey The cluster of buildings at the intersection of Park and Lake streets has hosted a number of businesses over the years and currently is the home of the American Spoon Café. (Author’s collection; Rebecca Zeiss) Lake Street 119 120 Petoskey Built in 1879, this is said to be the first brick building in Petoskey. Originally the Central Drug Store, it is one of Petoskey’s most picturesque storefronts. The site has been Symon’s General Store since 1960 and shares a façade with Dave’s Boot Shop. (Courtesy of Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University; courtesy of Little Traverse Historical Society; Rebecca Zeiss) Lake Street 121 122 Petoskey Looking east from the intersection of Howard and Lake streets. (Courtesy of Little Traverse Historical Society) Lake Street 123 The storefront known today as Cutlers was formerly the home of “Little Will” Searle, who operated a seven-employee jewelry and eyeglass shop there. Arriving in Petoskey in 1882, he spent time traveling between lumber camps selling goods before establishing his business in town. (Courtesy of Little Traverse Historical Society; Rebecca Zeiss) 124 Petoskey Formerly Levinson’s Department Store, this site operated as a theater between 1925 and 1972. The interior was altered by removing most of the second floor to allow for a four-hundred-seat movie house. (Courtesy of Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University; courtesy of Little Traverse Historical Society; Rebecca Zeiss) The north side of Lake Street’s 300 block looks much the same today as it did decades ago. (Author’s collection; Rebecca Zeiss) 126 Petoskey In 1946 Carl and Ruth Shorter opened Shorter’s Indian...