E. Main Street, Harbor Springs captures a timeless view from the mid‑1980s, based on a photo taken during the town’s Centennial Celebration on July 4, 1980.  A small banner still visible in the drawing reads “Centennial Celebration July 4,” preserving that moment in time.

Harbor Springs, located along the curve of Little Traverse Bay, was once known as L’Arbre Croche (“the crooked tree”), a major settlement of the Odawa (Ottawa) people. The area supported Indigenous fishing, farming, and trade for generations before European settlers and missionaries arrived in the 19th century. The town was incorporated in 1880 and soon became a popular summer destination, with steamships bringing visitors to its protected harbor and walkable charm.

Near the heart of town stands Holy Childhood of Jesus Church, completed in 1892. The church is part of the Catholic Communities of L’Arbre Croche, which trace their roots to a mission established here in 1827. A school followed in 1829, serving both local and Odawa families and becoming one of the region’s earliest centers of Catholic education.

This drawing invites viewers to pause and take in the calm before another season of summer life begins, framing a timeless street scene rooted in both memory and place.

Main St. Harbor Springs – Catalog #07 Mini Print
Part of the Michigan Landmarks series.