A Brief Lakeshore History

 

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

On October 15, 1966, the 89th Congress of the United States passed Public Law 89-668 authorizing establishment of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Alger County, Michigan “... in order to preserve for the benefit, inspiration, education, recreational use, and enjoyment of the public, a significant portion of the diminishing shoreline of the United States and its related geographic and scientific features.” Upon signature into law by President Lyndon Johnson, Alger County became the home of America’s first National Lakeshore.

 

A photo of Miners Castle during the early days of tourism in the area.

Alger County Historical Society

During 1957-58, the National Park Service conducted a survey of the Great Lakes shoreline to determine areas suitable for inclusion in the National Park System. The survey team studied nearly 5,500 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, and identified a number of different areas suitable for preservation. “By virtue of its unique and spectacular scenery unmatched elsewhere on the Great Lakes, the Pictured Rocks area of Alger County, comprising 43 miles of shoreline,” was identified as one of these potential units of the National Park Service.

Early plans for the National Lakeshore prepared in 1961 recommended a park 100,000 acres in size. By 1962, as a result of concerns voiced by the local forest products industry that too much timber land would be removed from harvest by a park of that size, the acreage was reduced to about 61,000 acres. By the time legislation was passed, the size of the lakeshore had been increased slightly to 71,397 acres, comprised of two distinct acquisition, development, and management zones: a shoreline zone (33,550 acres), and an inland buffer zone (37,850 acres).

The shoreline zone was established to preserve its scenery and outstanding natural features and to provide the benefits of public recreation. The inland buffer zone was created to stabilize and protect the existing character and uses of the land, waters, and other properties as they were on December 31, 1964. It was the intent of Congress that the inland buffer zone preserve the setting of the Lake Superior shoreline and inland lakes, and protect the watersheds and streams. Sustained yield timber harvesting and other resource management activities compatible with the preservation and recreational use purposes outlined in the legislation were also permitted within the inland buffer zone.

In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed the bill that created Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. After several years of land acquistion negotiations, there were sufficient lands in federal ownership to provide a manageable Park Service area. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore was formally established as a unit of the National Park System in ceremonies held on October 6, 1972, at Bayshore Park in Munising.

 

Visitors enjoy Munising Falls, which is a popular destination for many people visiting the park.

Roads to several scenic areas were developed, along with an extensive hiking trail system. Three drive-in campgrounds were developed to provide recreation opportunities to park visitors. Backcountry campgrounds were also established to allow hikers a more rustic experience hiking the 42 mile stretch of the lakeshore.

Symbols of the maritime history of Lake Superior are preserved at the former U.S. Coast Guard stations at Sand Point, Grand Marais, and at Au Sable Point. The Au Sable Light Station, built in 1874, is perhaps the finest example on the Great Lakes of vintage masonry lighthouses.