In the fall of 1848, Captain Justice Bailey discovered the harbor that was to bear his name as he searched for a safe mooring during a violent storm on Lake Michigan. The storm was so severe that he risked entering an uncharted harbor but luckily, he found it to be of sufficient depth. He remained overnight, and decided to explore the next day where he found an abundance of limestone and timber, and he took back samples to his employer, Milwaukee businessman, Alanson Sweet. Mr. Sweet envisioned great business opportunities for the new area and sent a crew of men to harvest timber and stone and build a pier. They also began to carve a road to the other side of the peninsula that is known today as County Road F.

Some twelve million people live along Lake Michigan’s shores, mainly in the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas. The economy of many communities in northern Michigan and Door County, Wisconsin is supported by tourism, with large seasonal populations attracted by the beauty and recreational opportunities offered by Lake Michigan. Seasonal residents often have summer homes along the waterfront and return home for the winter.

Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the US – the other four Great Lakes are shared by the US and Canada. 

The word “Michigan” originally referred to the lake itself, and is believed to have come from the Ojibwa tribe word “mishigami” meaning Great Water.