Traverse City Timeline

How Traverse City got it's name

Jan 1, 1701

18th century French Voyagers named the Bays "La Grande Traverse" or "the long crossing."

First Permanent Settlement

Jan 1, 1839

Rev. Peter Dougherty was the first Frenchmen to settle on Old Mission Peninsula.

Boardman Land Purchase

Jan 1, 1847

Captain Boardman purchased land at the mouth of the river, and built a dwelling and a sawmill.

Boardman Land Sale

Jan 1, 1851

Boardman sold sawmill to Perry Hannah, Albert Tracy Lay and James Morgan. They improved the mill, which attracted investors and more settlers to the area.

First Post Office

Jan 1, 1852

Albert Tracy Lay was able to establish a US postal service in "Grand Traverse City."

First Cherry Trees planted

Jan 1, 1852

First Cherry Trees were planted on the Old Mission Peninsula.

Railroad

Dec 1, 1872

Rail service started in Traverse City opening up the area to industrialization. The railroad ran from Traverse City to Chicago.

Park Place

Jan 1, 1873

Park Place hotel was built.

First High School

Jan 1, 1877

First Traverse City high school was built.

Hannah Lay General Story

Jan 1, 1883

The general store was established on Front and Union. First to have electricity in town.