Community Overview

Benzonia History

• Founded in 1858 
• Was formerly the county seat 
• Incorporated in 1891 

1863 – Grand Traverse college chartered and began there, later renamed Benzonia College in 1891, 1918 academy closed.  
Waiting for the Morning Train by Bruce Catton – Book by Historian who grew up in Benzonia, captures the local history  

Important Historical Figures from Benzonia 

• Douglass North – Economic Historian and Nobel Laureate, owned a summer home in Benzonia 
• Gwen Frostic – Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame inductee, artist and author, owned a book shop in Benzonia until her death. The bookshop still exists.  
• Bruce Catton – Civil War Historian 

Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport is a full-service commercial airport offering major airline service to over 300 domestic and international destinations. 

Flights available with non-stop service from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Allegiant.  Global service is also offered through hub airport connections in Detroit and Chicago year-round. 

• Traverse City is the Largest city in the 21-county Northern Michigan Region 
• Population is 15,678, with over 154,000 in the Traverse City micropolitan area 
• Largest producer of tart cherries in the United States 
• Tourism, both summer and winter, is a key industry 
• Natural attractions, including freshwater beaches, vineyards, a National Lakeshore, downhill skiing areas and numerous forests.  
• Places of Worship in town for most Religions