Did you realize that mineral springs dot the landscape along the western section of M22? There’s some fascinating “healing” history surrounding these sources of sustenance. Join us as we check out these bubbling artesian wells.

Glen Park

Just off M22 near Onekama, Fourth Avenue has a wooded pull-off parking area. Humidity weighed on us as we climbed out of our Jeep. Song birds lofted above and water trickled in the distance. A dirt path led us downhill. After our crawl, or “slide” if you’re as graceful as I am, we saw a wooden rooftop in the distance. “That must be Onekama Spring.” I overstated the obvious, refocusing our hike, as I wiped mud off my backside. This spring has been part of Glen Park since 1961.

A bubbling brook danced alongside us as we investigated the sheltered springs. Three cylinders of spring-fed pools waited under a wooden canopy.

People have been encouraged to submerge themselves in the frigid, fresh water as a cleansing agent. As enticing as it seemed, I was fully dressed, so I only splashed the water on my face. It was refreshing on the muggy Michigan morning.

Looking over the clear pool, I could see swirls of sand as the water bubbled up from beneath. It was mesmerizing. I positioned myself on the rocky ledge and watched this artistic display.

As I watched the whirl of water, I wondered about the people who had profited from this natural resource.

The Glen House

In the 1880’s, as the lumber industry declined, A.W. Farr, a lumber baron, found a way to harness another natural resource. He named this area, “Glen Springs” and began selling bottled spring water. Next, A.W. Farr constructed a hotel which had room for one hundred guests. His summer resort, “The Glen House,” was often referred to as “the Saratoga of the West.” People came by steamship from Milwaukee and Chicago to experience these “healing” waters.

The spring water was not only bottled, but pumped into the bath house for guests. In addition, a walkway connected The Glen House to these pools for guests who wanted to experience a direct dip in the “life-giving mineral springs.”

Farr also constructed The Glen Cottage, behind the hotel, as housing accommodations for the workers.

The Glen House mysteriously burnt to the ground in 1892 and was never rebuilt. But, the bottling of the spring water continued. Although it hadn’t been as profitable after the hotel was gone. The Glen Cottage, workers’ residence, survived the fire and was put to use.

Tent City at Glen Springs

Curiously, the site of the springs became a “tent city” during the warmer seasons. One could rent a four-room tent for $25.00/month. If campers didn’t want to cook, they could purchase a $0.35 meal at The Glen Cottage. Two nearby cabins could be rented for those who had the means and preferred wooden floors over muddy ones.

For several years, around 1908, John Wallace Crawford, a cavalry scout and a national celebrity, spent his summers at the tent city in Glen Springs. This Irish storyteller was known as “Captain Jack” and earned his fame from his courageous 350 mile, six-day ride to report General George Crook’s victory during the Great Sioux War (1876-1877).

“Captain Jack,” a “Poet Scout,” promoted Glen Springs with storytelling performances and writing poems, such as, “Sunset on Beautiful Portage Lake.”

Newton Farr

By 1914 Glen Springs was once again owned by the Farr family. Newton Farr, the nephew of the original owner, A.W. Farr, accepted ownership. Two years later the land was designated for public use as “Glen Park.” Then, in 1961 Newton Farr gifted this land to Onekama Township, preserving public access.

Glen Park

Glen Park is a popular wooded area, surrounding the spring-fed creek. Besides being a prime public place to enjoy nature, this area serves as an outdoor classroom for students from Onekama schools. They are able to observe the wildlife and flora. Along with the Onekama Community Corp., the students assist with the park’s maintenance of trails and foot bridges.

A seven mile drive west, around the northern side of Portage Lake brought us to another spring, Little Eden.

Little Eden Spring

Have you been to the Little Eden Spring in Onekama, Michigan? It had been recorded that this bubbling water source had been used since the 1850’s.

In the late 1800’s, as the lumber industry weakened, another source of income would be needed… What could be done with this beautiful lakeshore property containing a bubbling spring? Well, A.W. Farr had recently pivoted from lumber to spring water, so why not follow his model using The Little Eden Spring?

With the 1897 Congressional passing of Act 230, “Summer Resort and Park Associations,” plans began bubbling alongside the Little Eden Spring. This Act constructed a framework with guidelines for developing resort communities.

Little Eden Spring had prompted a business plan for a healing spa, Portage Point Inn, which is still open today! Portage Point Inn is set along the strip of land between Lake Michigan and Portage Lake offering rental homes and rooms to reserve.

Portage Point Inn

Designed to host steamship visitors from Chicago and Milwaukee, Portage Point Inn had been built in 1902. The advertising for this resort centered around “The Healing” mineral springs. On June 20, 1903 Frank and Mary Hattendorf, the first guests, arrived. The pair had been part of an organized group from Chicago.

By 1914 the Northwest Transportation Company made regular steamship stops from Milwaukee and Chicago. In fact, D.H. Day, the head director of NTC, had organized overnight trips so businessmen could join their vacationing families on weekends.

Today, Portage Point Resort, under new management, has a vision for the peninsula refuge. Restorations have begun along with plans for improvements, while sustaining the historical charm.

Onekama’s Springs

When traveling along M22, we highly recommend stopping in Onekama to check out these springs, bubbling with history, at Portage Point Inn and Glen Park! Stay curious and keep making memories!

Related Links:

Join us on our caper along M22 in our YouTube video.
“Old Facefull” The Oldest Spring In Michigan is located nearby in Pierport.- Restless Viking article
“The Mill” is located along M22 in Glen Arbor – Restless Viking article
“Arcadia Marsh” is just north of Manistee along M22 – Restless Viking article

Resources:

The Nature Conservancy website
Portage Point Woods Preserve website maps
Concho Hills – John Wallace Crawford article
Portage Point Resort history
My North article about “The Onekama Water Wars”
Manistee News Advocate article
Manistee News article
Visit Manistee “Glen Park Mineral Springs” article
The Glenwood website