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First settled by John LaRue and his family in 1851. Named after the schooner Empire which became icebound in its harbor in the winter of 1863. The vessel was then used as a schoolhouse. Empire developed into a lumber town. Incorporated as a village in 1895. Informational excerpts from Michigan Place Names, by Walter Romig, L.H.D.
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100 Plus Wild Game Recipes Cookbook
Price $9.95
Plus $3.00 Shipping & Handling
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Attractions: amusement parks, casinos, farms & mills, historic sites, lighthouses, museums, tours, wineries, zoos, planetariums, and waterfalls.
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Empire Area Museum, 11544 LaCore Street, Empire, MI 49630, Phone: (231) 326-5568. Historical museum featuring a turn-of-the-century saloon, parlor, blacksmith shop, sail & rail and lumbering era displays, old kitchen, complete one-room school, barn full of horse drawn equipment and an audio/visual center. Open six days a week July through Labor Day (closed Wednesday); weekends only Memorial Day through July 1 and after Labor Day through third weekend in October.
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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front Street, Empire, MI 49630. Phone: (231) 326-5134 . Welcome to one of the most beautiful natural areas in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Come and enjoy 35 miles of Lake Michigan's eastern coastline, explore North and South Manitou Islands, and of course climb the dunes! Learn about the history of shipping, logging, and agriculture of the area by visiting former Life-Saving Service/Coast Guard Stations, and Port Oneida Historic District.
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Sleeping Bear Point Maritime Museum, 9922 W. Front Street, Empire, MI 49630-9797, Phone: (231) 326-5134
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Valley of Giants [Natural Attractions], Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore], Virgin white cedar grove over 500 years old. World record cedar over 90 feet tall and 17.5 feet in diameter.
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Dining & Food: Great places to dine!
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Accommodations: Where to stay in and around town!
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Maple Lane Resort, 8720 Dorsey Rd, Empire Michigan 49630, Phone: (231) 334-3413
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Sleeping Bear Bed & Breakfast, 11977 S. Gilbert Rd., Empire, MI 49630, Phone: (231) 326-5375
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Community Organizations: civic, fraternal, veteran, etc
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Michigan Area Retiree Activities Office (RAO) (Military Retirees), 5671 Skeel Avenue, Suite 12, Oscoda, Michigan 48750, (989) 739-2777
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Michigan Tree Farm System, 501 Norway Street, Grayling, MI 49738, (989) 348-9319
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Recreation: boating, camping, canoeing, dog-sledding, fishing, golfing, hiking, hunting, kayaking, scuba diving, skiing, snowmobiling, etc.
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Garey Lake Trail Camp, Traverse City Field Office. Phone Number: (231) 922-5280. Benzie County - 8 miles SE of Empire via M-72, Plowman Road and Pettengill Road. Group area designed for use by equestrian campers riding the Shore to Shore Riding/Hiking Trail. Non-equestrian campers welcome too. Maximum capacity is for 200 individuals and can accommodate tents and small trailers. Campground is located on Garey Lake which offers good pan fishing. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump. Group Trail Camps are available by reservation by calling (231) 922-5280. Lake Ann (9 miles SE) and Honor (12 miles SW).
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Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak, 10085 Front West, Empire, MI 49630, Phone: (231) 326-9283
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Services
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Enchanted Forest Web Page Design Service [Internet Advertising], 3980 Curtisville Road, Curtisville, South Branch, MI 48761, Phone: (989) 785-0600
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Shopping: antique shops, art galleries, arts & crafts shops, flea markets, gift shops, outlet malls, shopping centers, shopping districts, and specialty shops
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