| Big Traverse Bay Historic District | |
| Nrhp Type: | hd |
| Nocat: | yes |
| Nearest City: | Lake Linden, Michigan |
| Coordinates: | 47.1931°N -88.2367°W |
| Added: | November 20, 1975 |
| Refnum: | 75000946 |
| Designated Other1 Name: | Michigan State Historic Site |
| Designated Other1 Abbr: | MSHS |
| Designated Other1 Link: | Michigan State Historic Preservation Office |
| Designated Other1 Date: | February 21, 1975 |
| Designated Other1 Num Position: | bottom |
| Designated Other1 Color: | CornflowerBlue |
The Big Traverse Bay Historic District is a historic district located east of Lake Linden, Michigan at the mouth of the Traverse River. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in and designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1975.
The site on which the Big Traverse Bay Historic District now stands was originally a logging camp owned by the Hebard Lumber Company, dating from the last two decades of the 19th century.[1] A substantial number of Finnish emigres moved into the area, working in the lumber, mining, or fishing industries. By 1920, Big Traverse Bay had developed into a primarily fishing community. in the 1950s, construction of a breakwater and changes to the harbor resulted in the demolition of a number of houses, as well as a footbridge across the river. The community remains an active, and relatively isolated, fishing community.[1]
Big Traverse Bay is a small Finnish fishing community located on a peninsula and adjacent mainland at the mouth of the Traverse River on Lake Superior.[1] The community includes approximately 40 small, single-story, gable-roofed houses with aluminum siding an undeveloped yards. Vintage gasoline pumps, net reels, cedar shake-covered fishing buildings, ice houses and saunas are still in use.[1]