Benzonia is located on the south shore of Crystal Lake in the heart of Benzie County. Benzonia is the birthplace of the famous Civil War and Michigan historian, Bruce Catton. There is historical plaque about him in front of the library. Benzonia has beautiful swimming beaches and several small shops to visit. Population: 449. Founded by Charles E. Bailey as the site of a proposed Christian college in 1858, while it was still a woodland wilderness. The Herring Creek post office was moved here in 1859. Incorporated as a village in 1891. The French called the local river Aux Bec Scies (bec-scie meaning sawbill, a species of duck, evidently abounding on the stream then), which the American sailors corrupted into the Betsie River, and that in turn was changed to Benzie when the county was organized in 1869. Informational excerpts from Michigan Place Names, by Walter Romig, L.H.D.

Attractions: amusement parks, casinos, farms & mills, historic sites, lighthouses, museums, tours, wineries, zoos, planetariums, and waterfalls.

BeeDazzled Candleworks, 6289 River Road, Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: (231) 882-7765

Benzie Area Historical Museum, 6941 Traverse Avenue, Box 185, Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: Phone: (231) 882-5539. Featuring artifacts and exhibits of Benzie County history (logging, agriculture, railroads); as well as displays of Pulitzer-Prize winner and Benzonian native, author Bruce Catton (1954 for his books on the Civil War); the Ann Arbor Car Ferries, a General Store and more. Open Tuesday through Saturday, May through December. Also open on Mondays -- June, July and August.

DINING & FOOD:  BREWERIES, DINER TRAINS & CRUISES, CASUAL DINING, FINE DINING AND ETHNIC RESTAURANTS

Crystal Cafe, 1681 Benzie Highway, Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: (231) 882-9565

Roadhouse Mexican Bar & Grill [Mexican Cuisine], 1058 Michigan Avenue - US 31, Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: (231) 882-9631

Places to Stay:  Bed & Breakfasts, Cabins & Cottages, Condos & Vacation Rentals, Historic Inns, Hotels & Motels, Resorts

Crystal Vacation Rentals, P.O. Box 467, 11780 Chippewa Hwy, Bear Lake, MI 49614, Phone:  (231) 864-4020

Hanmer's Riverside Resort [Canoe & Kayak Rental], 2251 Benzie Highway, Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: (231) 882-7783

Homestead Resort on the Betsie River, 2399 Dam Rd, Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: (231) 882-9950

Lakes-N-Trails Motel, 1584 Benzie Hwy, Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: (231) 882-0206

Michigan Bed & Breakfast Guide [Bed & Breakfast Inns], 3980 Curtisville Road, Curtisville, South Branch, MI 48761, Phone: (989) 725-4416

Northern Michigan Cabin & Cottage Rentals [Cabin & Cottage Rentals], 3980 Curtisville Road, Curtisville, South Branch, MI 48761, Phone: (989) 725-4416

Community Organizations: civic, fraternal, veteran, etc

Michigan Area Retiree Activities Office (RAO) [Support Services for Military Retirees], 5671 Skeel Avenue, Suite 12, Oscoda, Michigan 48750, (989) 739-2777

Michigan Tree Farm System, 501 Norway Street, Grayling, MI 49738, (989) 348-9319

OUTDOORS: BEACHES, BIKING, BOATING, CAMPING, CANOEING, DOG-SLEDDING, FISHING, GOLFING, HIKING, HUNTING, KAYAKING, ORV, NATURE & PARKS, RENTALS,  SCUBA DIVING, SKIING, SNOWMOBILING, ETC.

Benzie Fishing Service [Sportfishing Guide], 7000 King Road, Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: (231) 882-5018

Benzie Sportsman's Club [Sporting Clays], Hoadley & Pond Rd, Benzonia,  Michigan 49616, Phone: (231) 352-5922

Golfing Michigan [Public Golf Coures], 3980 Curtisville Road, Curtisville, South Branch, MI 48761, Phone: (989) 725-4416

Hanmer's Riverside Resort [Canoe & Kayak Rental], 2251 Benzie Highway, Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: (231) 882-7783

Michigan Paddlesports Directory [Canoeing & Kayaking], 3980 Curtisville Road, Curtisville, South Branch, MI 48761, Phone: (989) 725-4416

Sleeping Bear Charters LLC [Sportfishing Charters], 3475 S. Stanley St., Lake Leelanau, MI 49653, Phone: (231) 256-6474

Timberline Campground, 2788 Benzie Highway, Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: (231) 882-9548

Vacation Trailer Park & Canoe, 2080 Benzie Highway, Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: (231) 882-5101

Services

Northern Rental Management [Rental Management], 584 Beulah Highway, Beulah, MI 49617, Phone: (231) 882-9507

Enchanted Forest Web Page Design Service [Domain Names, Web Hosting, Online Marketing Services and Website Design], 3980 Curtisville Road, Curtisville, South Branch, MI 48761, Phone: (989) 725-4416

Shopping:  antique shops, art galleries, arts & crafts shops, flea markets, gift shops, outlet malls, shopping centers, shopping districts, and specialty shops

BeeDazzled Candleworks, 6289 River Road, Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: (231) 882-7765

Gwen Frostic Prints [Art Gallery], 5140 River Road, Box 300, Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: (231) 882-5505

Rubini Gallery [Art Gallery], 1047 Michigan Ave., Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: (231) 882-2787

Vigland Gallery [Art Gallery], 1057 Michigan Ave., (US-31), Benzonia, MI 49616, Phone: (231) 882-7203

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Copyright 1997-2013, All rights reserved.
Enchanted Forest Web Page Design Service. 
“Promoting Northern Michigan Businesses Since 1997”
3980 Curtisville Road, South Branch, MI 48761-9704
Created on Januaray 1, 1997. Last updated on Thursday, April 11, 2013
Number of pages 594