Omena, Michigan

Omena is a small unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Leelanau Township of Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 267.[3] Overlooking Omena Bay, on the western side of Grand Traverse Bay, Omena is home to wineries and farms including a thriving organic farming movement that includes cherries and hops. The area has several wineries featuring some of the region's cherry and grape crop, for which the Grand Traverse and Leelanau areas are known. The nearest substantial city is Traverse City, 23 miles (37 km) to the south.

"Omena" redirects here. For the African fish, see Silver cyprinid. For the shopping center, see Iso Omena.
Omena, Michigan
Census-designated place (CDP) & unincorporated community
Looking south at Omena on M-22
Omena
Location in Michigan
Omena
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 45°03′20″N 85°35′20″W
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyLeelanau
TownshipLeelanau
Area
 • Total4.57 sq mi (11.83 km2)
 • Land4.52 sq mi (11.70 km2)
 • Water0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2)
Elevation
604 ft (184 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total267
 • Density59/sq mi (22.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
49674 (P.O. Box)
Area code(s)231
FIPS code26-60640[1]
GNIS feature ID634055[2]

History

In 1852, the Rev. Peter Daugherty relocated an Indian mission from Old Mission on the Old Mission Peninsula across the western arm of the Grand Traverse Bay to what was at first called "New Mission". He (built) a small Presbyterian church there as the nucleus of the community. The church continues an active schedule of services during the summer months. The word "omena" comes from o-me-nah, an Ojibwe expression meaning "Is that so?" or "Is that really true?", and was Rev. Daugherty's characteristic response to statements made by Indians. A post office with that name was established in February 1858. Omena also happens to mean "apple" in Finnish, but that is believed to be merely a coincidence.

It was a stop on the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad and was regarded as a summer resort area. Among others, Benjamin Grierson, a U.S. Civil War general, had a summer home in Omena, as did General Byron Cutcheon.

Geography

Omena is in northeastern Leelanau County on the west side of Grand Traverse Bay, an arm of Lake Michigan. It is served by one state highway, M-22, which leads south 23 miles (37 km) to Traverse City and north 5 miles (8 km) to Northport.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Omena CDP has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.8 km2), of which 4.5 square miles (11.7 km2) are land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2), or 1.10%, are water.[4]

Economy

The principal businesses in Omena include the Tamarack (Art) Gallery, the Leelanau Wine Cellars tasting room, Knot Just A Bar restaurant and the Omena Bay Country Store. Other buildings include a US post office and the Putnam-Cloud Tower House Museum, home of the Omena Historical Society.

The Omena Traverse Yacht Club forms a center of seasonal social life in Omena. Occasional social gatherings and sailing races take place at the club during the summer. The club has operated a summer youth camp, where children learn tennis and sailing.

Government

In July 2018, a special election was held for the unofficial title of "mayor of Omena". A cat named Sweet Tart won the election.[5][6][7][8]

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Omena, Michigan
  3. "Total Population: 2010 Census DEC Summary File 1 (P1), Omena CDP, Michigan". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  4. "U.S. Gazetteer Files: 2019: Places: Michigan". U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  5. Hooper, Ben (July 23, 2018). "Cat takes office as mayor of Michigan village". UPI. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  6. Bender, Kelli (July 24, 2018). "Sweet Tart the Cat Becomes Mayor of Michigan Town, Brings Purrs to Politics". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  7. "2018 Omena Mayor's Race". Omena Historical Society. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  8. "Michigan town elects cat as mayor". WNDU News. Jul 23, 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2020.

Further reading
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