Pere Marquette Charter Township – Pere Marquette Township was one of three Townships originally created in 1856 when Mason County was subdivided. Its rich history and local sense of pride make it stand out among local municipalities. With an active Township Board of seven members, local assessing, planning, and zoning, and a full-time staff, the Township strives to provide the very best in resident and business-owner services. Take a tour of the Township at www.pmtwp.org. In addition to its six miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, Pere Marquette Township has additional riverfront and inland lakeshore properties offering approximately 12 miles of waterfront. The Mason County area is well known for excellence in fishing, hunting, sand dunes and public beaches, camping, and other outdoor recreational activities. Local resources include a fine collection of established independent businesses as well as representation by many franchise restaurant and retail firms. Mason County is located right on Lake Michigan’s shoreline about an hour north of Muskegon, 90 minutes north of Grand Rapids, and about 90 minutes south of Traverse City. One example of a unique place/feature is the Harbor View Marina. Located in the city of Ludington, Harbor View is a deep water marina that opened in 1999. There are 160 slips for vessels up to 60 feet as well as wall ties accommodating vessels up to 100 feet. The marina is within walking distance of restaurants, downtown shopping, convenience stores, and the municipal park. A 7,000 square foot clubhouse is open to all the marina’s guests and offers, a pool, spa, picnic area, showers, and laundry facility. www.ludingtoncvb.com

Historic Sites – Perhaps most dear to Township historians is the State-recognized historic site honoring the Jesuit explorer and missionary for whom Pere Marquette Township is named. Locally known as “The Cross”, the Pere Marquette Shrine was recognized as a State of Michigan historic site in 1966, and bears an official State plaque to mark its location on the Buttersville peninsula. The State marker is accompanied by an additional marker placed by the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The DAR plaque is believed to have been first placed in 1921 at a more historically accurate site a little further south on the peninsula, and later moved to its present location. Together, these remembrances tell a thumbnail history of Father Marquette’s influence here. When in the area, visit the Historic White Pine Village. The Village opened in 1976 and holds a collection of over 30 historic buildings that have been preserved or relocated to the site, providing visitors with the opportunity for a fascinating self-guided tour through Mason County’s historic past. www.historicwhitepinevillage.org