Blog Post 1: How I Fit Into Fishtown

Hello Fishtown, my name is Luke Stephenson. I am this Summer’s 2024 intern with Fishtown Preservation Society. I am currently a senior at Trinity Christian College majoring in Business Communications with a minor in Entrepreneurship. My journey towards learning about Fishtown goes back a couple of decades, but it truly began with Leland. The Leland and Fishtown communities have played a special part in my life for many years and of my family’s for five generations. I started coming to Leland when I was an infant. My parents and I would come from Northern Illinois to meet family for the 4th of July festivities. I remember the anticipation as we packed the car, knowing I was about eight hours away from fun experiences with my cousins. Although Leland was my first love, (what child doesn’t love boating and tubing on Lake Leelanau?) I gained an appreciation and fondness for Fishtown. As my mom says, “You can’t love Leland without loving Fishtown.”

Historic Fishtown has a dozen iconic, original buildings that have stood strong since they were built from the early 1900s through the 1970s. As I stroll along the gravel path, I notice a similar construction style amongst the shanties that once served the fishing industry and were used as shelters for local fishermen. One of the original remaining ice houses now serves as a welcome center for Fishtown, as well as retail space. As I walk along the riverfront, I realize that Fishtown wouldn’t be Fishtown today without the two commercially licensed fishing boats in Fishtown, the Joy and Janice Sue. Both vessels currently contribute great value to the community. For me, there is a comfort in the physical appearances of these fishing boats and Fishtown’s structures. They provide me with a sense of nostalgia and thus a yearning to protect them.

The physical structures of Fishtown are important, however, a place without people is just a place. I can tell that the people in the tight knit community of Fishtown and Leland care about this exceptionally unique place in Michigan. I recall about five years ago the Great Lakes went through a natural environmental cycle where the water levels rose to an extreme high. As a result of the rising water, Fishtown’s river became a threat to the shanties. Those within Fishtown and Fishtown Preservation knew that something needed to be done so they put together a campaign and worked towards lifting the buildings up and away from the rising waters. These efforts proved just how much people care for Fishtown and preserving it so it can live on for generations to come.

This internship opportunity has made me enthusiastic to expand my knowledge of Fishtown and what it takes to preserve such a special community. Along with developing skills in many aspects such as conserving historic places, sharing history, and learning about the aquatic ecosystem, I will be striving to be a strong member of the Fishtown community and help guide it down a successful path. It is exciting to come back here to Fishtown for the summer once again. This charming and important piece of Michigan history has a special place in my heart, not only for myself but for many others, too.