If you’ve ever looked at a map of Leelanau County and wondered why it’s divided the way it is—you’re not alone. Like most things in history, it’s a story of decisions made over time… and a fair bit of paperwork.
Let’s rewind to 1863.
On February 27, 1863, Leelanau County officially separated from Grand Traverse County, becoming its own entity by act of the Michigan State Legislature. At the time, the peninsula was divided into three massive townships:
- Leelanau Township (Feb 3, 1853) – which included the entire peninsula.
- Glen Arbor Township (Oct 15, 1857) – in the southwest portion of the peninsula.
- Centerville Township (Mar 2, 1858) – in the center and part of the southeast section of the peninsula.
These were known as “mega townships,” and while they worked on paper, they weren’t very practical for day-to-day governance on a rugged, sprawling peninsula. Between 1863 and 1885, eight subsequent townships were formed from the three original townships.
What Is a Township, Anyway?
In Michigan (and many other states), a township is a local unit of government that helps manage everything from roads and schools to elections, taxes, and public records. Originally based on land survey systems, townships provided early communities with structure—organizing property ownership, infrastructure, and civic responsibilities.
To make any of that work, the land first had to be platted—surveyed, measured, and drawn into official maps that defined parcels, roads, and boundaries. Platting a county and township laid the groundwork (literally) for who lived where and how the land could be used. It’s how government met geography.
The Growth of the County’s Modern Map
Between 1863 and 1885, the original three townships were gradually divided. Eight subsequent townships were formed, creating the eleven townships in Leelanau County that we know today. These changes were authorized by the Leelanau County Board of Supervisors and recorded in the official county manuscript of “Supervisors Minutes”.
Map courtesy of John Tris
Here’s how the townships took shape, one by one:
- Oct 12, 1863 — Bingham Township
Carved out of northeastern Centerville Twp, this “oversized township” hugged the west side of Grand Traverse Bay. - Dec 21, 1863 — Elmwood Township
Created from southern Centerville along the southeast border of the county. - Jan 2, 1865 — Kasson Township
Formed from southeast Glen Arbor Township, along the mid-southwestern border. - Oct 12, 1865 — Empire Township
Taken from southwestern Glen Arbor, Empire claimed shoreline along Lake Michigan and southwest corner of the county. - Jan 7, 1867 — Sleeping Bear Township
Created from the north western edge of Glen Arbor Township along the east coast of Lake Michigan with Sleeping Bear Bay to its north. The remaining north east portion of Glen Arbor Township (Good Harbor Bay area) retained the Glen Arbor Township name. This action confusingly placed the village of Glen Arbor in the newly formed Sleeping Bear Township. On Mar 15, 1871, per state legislative acts, Glen Arbor Township was renamed Cleveland Township and Sleeping Bear Township was renamed Glen Arbor Township. This reunited, once again, the namesake village and township. - Oct 10, 1871 — Solon Township
Carved from the western half of Elmwood Township. - Oct 12, 1874 — Leland Township
Formed from parts of Centerville and Leelanau Townships, centered on the Lake Michigan shoreline. - Jan 7, 1885 — Suttons Bay Township
Split from the northern half of Bingham Township it wraps around Suttons Bay on the east central side of the county along the western Grand Traverse Bay.
Manitou County was officially established on February 12, 1855, during a period of unusual leadership on Beaver Island. James Jesse Strang, a self-proclaimed Mormon king and state legislator, led the effort to reorganize Emmet County in the mid-1800s. His actions resulted in the creation of Manitou County, which included Beaver Island, the Fox Islands, and the North and South Manitou Islands in Lake Michigan. However, on April 4, 1895, the Michigan Legislature repealed the organization of Manitou County, redistributing its islands between Charlevoix and Leelanau counties.
- South Manitou Island joined Glen Arbor Township
- North Manitou Island was added to Leland Township
- The North and South Fox Islands were assigned to Leelanau Township
And with that, the modern boundaries of Leelanau County were established.
Special thanks to John Tris for researching and compiling these township formation dates and details.
Let Us Help You Find What You’re Looking For!
At the Leelanau Historical Society’s Research Center, you can explore this topic and much more of Leelanau’s past. We recently installed a Map Exploration Station, a new interactive exhibit that lets you browse historical maps and plat maps—some dating back over 150 years.
This project was made possible with the generous support of the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation.
While the museum is a great starting place, some records—like deeds, probate files, and official property transfers—are only available through the Leelanau County Government Center in Suttons Bay. Here’s how we can help guide your research and what to expect next:
Start at LHS:
- We can help find plat maps and general parcel descriptions—information required to locate property information at the Register of Deeds at the Leelanau Governmental Center.
- Search digitized local newspapers to find mentions of family names, businesses, or homesteads across decades.
- We may have relevant documents donated from local families that are now part of our searchable collection database.
Then visit the Leelanau County Government Center (8527 E. Government Center Dr., Suttons Bay, MI 49682) for:
Visit the following offices for:
- Register of Deeds – Official property records and transfers
- Probate Court – Wills, estate files, and guardianship records
- Clerk’s Office – Birth, marriage, and death certificates, county supervisor minutes
- Township Offices – Tax records, zoning information, property use, cemetery records
📍 8527 E. Government Center Dr., Suttons Bay, MI 49682
📞 Main Line: (231) 256-9800
🌐 leelanau.gov
Need help figuring out your next step?
Contact us. Whether you’re tracing a family story or researching a piece of land, we’re here to help you connect the past with the present.