# Interlochen, Michigan

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"Interlochen" redirects here. For other uses, see [Interlochen (disambiguation)](/source/Interlochen_(disambiguation)).

Census-designated place & unincorporated community in Michigan, United States

Interlochen, Michigan Census-designated place (CDP) & unincorporated community Interlochen Historical Marker Motto: "Between the Lakes" Location within Grand Traverse County Interlochen Location within the state of Michigan Show map of Michigan Interlochen Location within the United States Show map of the United States Coordinates: 44°38′43″N 85°46′02″W / 44.64528°N 85.76722°W / 44.64528; -85.76722[1] Country United States State Michigan County Grand Traverse Township Green Lake Area [2] • Total 1.27 sq mi (3.29 km2) • Land 1.24 sq mi (3.21 km2) • Water 0.031 sq mi (0.08 km2) Elevation [1] 840 ft (256 m) Population (2020) • Total 694 • Density 560/sq mi (216/km2) Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT) ZIP Code 49643 Area code 231 GNIS feature ID 629053[1] FIPS code 26-40800 Website Chamber of Commerce

Lake Wah-ba-ka-netta, now Green Lake

**Interlochen** ([/ˈɪntərlɒkən/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) *[*IN-tər-lok-ən*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key)*) is an [unincorporated community](/source/Unincorporated_area) and [census-designated place](/source/Census-designated_place) (CDP) in [Grand Traverse County](/source/Grand_Traverse_County%2C_Michigan) in the U.S. state of [Michigan](/source/Michigan).[1] At the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census), the population was 694, up from 583 at the [2010 census](/source/2010_United_States_census).[3] The community is located within [Green Lake Township](/source/Green_Lake_Township%2C_Michigan), and is home to a post office operating with [ZIP Code](/source/ZIP_Code) 49643.

The community is home to the [Interlochen Center for the Arts](/source/Interlochen_Center_for_the_Arts) and also contains [Interlochen State Park](/source/Interlochen_State_Park) between the shores of [Duck Lake](/source/Duck_Lake_(Grand_Traverse_County%2C_Michigan)) and [Green Lake](/source/Green_Lake_(Grand_Traverse_County%2C_Michigan)). Interlochen is a designated [Michigan State Historic Site](/source/Michigan_State_Historic_Preservation_Office).

## History

Interlochen takes its name from the [Latin](/source/Latin) "*inter*", meaning "between", and the [Scottish Gaelic](/source/Scottish_Gaelic) "*lochan*", meaning lakes.

Before the arrival of European settlers, members of the [Odawa](/source/Odawa) people lived between the lakes they called *Wahbekaness* and *Wahbekanetta* (now named Duck Lake and Green Lake, respectively). Beginning in the late 19th century, European settlers began [logging](/source/Logging) and [fishing](/source/Fishing_industry) industries in the area, and founded the small village of **Wylie**, one mile south of present-day Interlochen. Because of logging, the [Manistee and North-Eastern Railroad](/source/Manistee_and_North-Eastern_Railroad) (owned by the Buckley and Douglas Lumber Company of [Manistee](/source/Manistee%2C_Michigan)) extended its line north from [Nessen City](/source/Nessen_City%2C_Michigan) and arrived between the lakes in the fall of 1889. Similarly, the [Chicago and West Michigan Railway](/source/Chicago_and_West_Michigan_Railway) extended its line north from [Baldwin](/source/Baldwin%2C_Michigan) on its way to [Traverse City](/source/Traverse_City%2C_Michigan) in 1890. The two lines crossed in current-day downtown Interlochen where a depot and [interlocking](/source/Interlocking) tower were located. The original townsite, however, was platted just south of the depot along either side of the M&NE rail line in late 1889 or early 1890, with the business district centering on the now-former [M-137](/source/M-137_(Michigan_highway)) and Riley Rd/10th Street.

As the lumber industry grew, the area became more deforested. However, it was predicted from the beginning that the area would become a popular summer resort, and so Buckley and Douglas set aside 186 acres of virgin pines between Duck and Green lakes for preservation. The result was **Pine Park**, a public retreat boasting virgin forests and pristine lakes. A small railroad depot named **Pine Park Station** was built. Visitors began flocking to the region during the warmer months to camp, fish, boat, and escape the heat of the crowded cities. Piggybacking on the vacation boom, local businessman Willis Pennington purchased land adjacent to Pine Park on the banks of Green Lake and opened the Pennington Hotel in 1909.[4]

In the mid-1910s, local representatives became worried that Pine Park would soon be logged off and so they lobbied the [Michigan Legislature](/source/Michigan) for help. The state ultimately allocated $60,000 in 1917 to purchase the property,[5] and the newly acquired parkland was dedicated as **The Pines**, later renamed [Interlochen State Park](/source/Interlochen_State_Park), the first [state park](/source/State_park) organized by the state of Michigan ([Mackinac Island](/source/Mackinac_Island_State_Park) was originally a national park before becoming Michigan's first state park in 1895).[6]

In 1928, the National High School Orchestra Camp was founded by [Joseph E. Maddy](/source/Joseph_E._Maddy) just south of Interlochen, and evolved to become [Interlochen Center for the Arts](/source/Interlochen_Center_for_the_Arts), which includes a summer camp as well as an arts boarding high school and public radio station.[7] The camp has expanded to both sides of J. Maddy Parkway (previously designated as a highway, M-137, in 1930[8] but decommissioned in 2020[9]), and enveloped the entire village of Wylie.

By the late 20th century, the railroads that brought students, vacationers, and lumber through Interlochen, had been removed. The north-south M&NE railroad was removed in 1934,[10] and the west-east C&WM railroad ([Pere Marquette Railway](/source/Pere_Marquette_Railway) after 1899) removed in 1982.[11] The area remains a popular vacation spot, with hiking, fishing, camping, boating, swimming, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling the most popular activities.

The community of Interlochen was listed as a newly organized [census-designated place](/source/Census-designated_place) for the [2010 census](/source/2010_United_States_census), meaning it now has officially defined boundaries and population statistics for the first time.[12]

## Geography

According to the [U.S. Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau), the CDP has a total area of 1.27 square miles (3.29 km2), of which 1.24 square miles (3.21 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) (2.36%) is water.[3]

Interlochen is located within the [Betsie River](/source/Betsie_River) watershed.[13]

## Public education

Interlochen is zoned within the [Traverse City Area Public Schools](/source/Traverse_City_Area_Public_Schools) district (TCAPS).[14]

The nearest public high school is [Traverse City West Senior High School](/source/Traverse_City_West_Senior_High_School).[15] Prior to 2016, elementary school students were able to attend Interlochen Elementary School, part of TCAPS.[16] With the closure of that school, the nearest public elementary schools are Blair Elementary School near [Grawn](/source/Grawn%2C_Michigan), and Silver Lake Elementary School and Westwoods Elementary School near [Traverse City.](/source/Traverse_City%2C_Michigan)

## Media

Interlochen is home to 88.7 [WIAA](/source/WIAA_(FM)), which is run by the Interlochen Center for the Arts and operates as Northern Michigan's [National Public Radio](/source/National_Public_Radio) affiliate.

## Transportation

### Major highways

- [US 31](/source/U.S._Route_31_in_Michigan) runs west–east through the northern portion of the community.

- [M-137](/source/M-137_(Michigan_highway)), known now as J. Maddy Parkway, is a former state highway that was commissioned from 1930 to 2020.

### Public transportation

Interlochen is served by Traverse City's public transportation system, the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) which serves most of the Grand Traverse region with [dial-a-ride](/source/Dial-a-ride) services. BATA also links riders to the Greyhound terminal for regional and long-distance travel.

Given the long dirt and gravel roads that cover much of Interlochen and its surrounding area, BATA began an experimental transit program in 2011 which consisted of rentable skateboards, scooters, bicycles and cross country skis (only available during the winter seasons). The program is largely targeted at the area's sizeable student population.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

### General aviation

- [Green Lake Airport](/source/Green_Lake_Airport) (Y88) is located three miles south of Interlochen.

## Demographics

Historical population Census Pop. Note %± 2010 583 — 2020 694 19.0% U.S. Decennial Census[17]

According to the [census](/source/U.S._Census) of 2010, there were 583 people, 240 households, and 142 families residing in the Interlochen CDP. The population density was 470.0 inhabitants per square mile (181.5/km2). There were 277 housing units at an average density of 223.3 units per square mile (86.2 units/km2).[18]

As of the 2010 census, the racial makeup of Interlochen was 95.2% [White](/source/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_United_States_Census), 2.2% [Native American](/source/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States), 0.5% [African-American](/source/African-American) or [Black](/source/Black_people), 0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.2% some other race, and 1.7% from two or more races. 1.9% of the population were [Hispanic](/source/Hispanics_in_the_United_States) or [Latino](/source/Latino_(U.S._Census)), who can be of any race.[18]

In Interlochen, 25.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.9% was from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.6 males.[18]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GNIS_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GNIS_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-GNIS_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-GNIS_1-3) ["Interlochen"](https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/search/names/629053). *[Geographic Names Information System](/source/Geographic_Names_Information_System)*. [United States Geological Survey](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey), [United States Department of the Interior](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Interior).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CenPopGazetteer2020_2-0)** ["2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files"](https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CENS_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CENS_3-1) ["Michigan: 2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts 2010 Census of Population and Housing"](https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-24.pdf) (PDF). *[2010 United States census](/source/2010_United_States_census)*. [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). September 2012. p. 22 Michigan. Retrieved September 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["From timber to tourism: How conservation shaped Interlochen, Michigan"](https://crescendo.interlochen.org/story/timber-tourism-how-conservation-shaped-interlochen-michigan). *Interlochen Center for the Arts*. April 8, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["DNR - Michigan's first state park"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191017150109/https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79133_79205_85747_86991_88871_90785---,00.html). *www.michigan.gov*. Archived from [the original](https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79133_79205_85747_86991_88871_90785---,00.html) on October 17, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["History of Interlochen"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071015230026/http://www.interlochen.org/about/history_1). Interlochen Center for the Arts. 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.interlochen.org/about/history_1) on October 15, 2007. Retrieved November 22, 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["50 years ago today, Interlochen founder Joseph Maddy passed away"](https://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/arts-at-interlochen/2016-04-18/50-years-ago-today-interlochen-founder-joseph-maddy-passed-away). *Interlochen Public Radio*. April 18, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Michigan; State Highway Department; H.M. Gousha Company (1927), *Official highway service map*, The Dept., [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [79754957](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/79754957)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Lake, James (August 6, 2020). ["MDOT Transfers M-137 Jurisdiction to Grand Traverse County Road Commission"](https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9620-535825--,00.html) (Press release). Michigan Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 16, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["michiganrailroads.com - Evolution Map - Lower - 1934"](http://www.michiganrailroads.com/evolution-of-michigan-railroads/182-evolution-lower-peninsula/evolution-1930s/4427-evolution-map-lower-1934). *www.michiganrailroads.com*. Retrieved March 13, 2020.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["michiganrailroads.com - Evolution Map - Lower - 1982"](http://www.michiganrailroads.com/evolution-of-michigan-railroads/187-evolution-lower-peninsula/evolution-1980s/4479-evolution-map-lower-1982). *www.michiganrailroads.com*. Retrieved March 13, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Michigan: 2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts 2010 Census of Population and Housing"](https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-24.pdf) (PDF). *[2010 United States census](/source/2010_United_States_census)*. [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). September 2012. p. III-5. Retrieved September 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Betsie River / Crystal Lake Watershed Management Plan"](https://www.networksnorthwest.org/community/natural-resources/betsie-river-crystal-lake-watershed/betsie-river-crystal-lake-watershed-management-plan.html). *www.networksnorthwest.org*. Retrieved December 16, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau) (January 1, 2020). ["School District Reference Map: Grand Traverse County, MI"](https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st26_mi/schooldistrict_maps/c26055_grand_traverse/DC20SD_C26055.pdf) (PDF) (Map). *2020 Census*. 1:97,877. Suitland, Maryland: United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 16, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["District Boundary Map"](https://www.tcaps.net/about/district-boundary-map/). *www.tcaps.net*. Retrieved December 15, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["TCAPS Eyes Re-opening Interlochen Elementary"](https://www.9and10news.com/2021/07/30/tcaps-eyes-re-opening-interlochen-elementary/). *9 & 10 News*. July 30, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-DecennialCensus_17-0)** ["Census of Population and Housing"](http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html). Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census_2010_DP-1_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census_2010_DP-1_18-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Census_2010_DP-1_18-2) ["Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Interlochen CDP, Michigan"](https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/SF1DP1/1600000US2640800). *American Factfinder*. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 19, 2016.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

## External links

- [Interlochen Chamber of Commerce](http://www.interlochenchamber.org/)

v t e Municipalities and communities of Grand Traverse County, Michigan, United States County seat: Traverse City City Traverse City‡ Map of Michigan highlighting Grand Traverse County.svg Villages Fife Lake Kingsley Charter townships East Bay Garfield Long Lake Civil townships Acme Blair Fife Lake Grant Green Lake Mayfield Paradise Peninsula Union Whitewater CDPs Chums Corner Grawn Interlochen Other communities Acme Brookside Devils Elbow Fivemile Corner Hannah Hilltop Jacks Landing Karlin Long Lake Mapleton Mayfield Monroe Center Neahtawanta Old Mission Summit City Walton Wexford Corner‡ Williamsburg Yuba Ghost towns Angell Archie Bartlett Bates Beitner Cedar Run‡ East Bay Hodge Keystone Kratochvil's Plat Mabel Ogdensburg Slights Westminster Wylie Indian reservation Grand Traverse Indian Reservation‡ Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties Michigan portal United States portal

Authority control databases International VIAF WorldCat National United States Israel Geographic MusicBrainz area Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Interlochen, Michigan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interlochen%2C_Michigan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interlochen%2C_Michigan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.