Ellsworth, Michigan

The village of Ellsworth was founded in 1881 by Erwin A. Dean and his nephew, August Davis, who settled in the area during a period of rapid development in northern Michigan. Lewis A. DeLine became its first postmaster on February 1, 1884. The new village and post office absorbed the nearby settlements of Needmore and Ox Bow, two small communities that had grown around early logging and farming activity.

The name “Ellsworth” was chosen by DeLine in honor of Colonel Ephraim Elmer Ellsworth, a close friend of President Abraham Lincoln and the first Union officer killed in the Civil War. Ellsworth’s death in 1861 while removing a Confederate flag in Alexandria, Virginia, became a rallying cry for the Union cause.

The village was officially incorporated in 1938 following a special election, with residents voting 50–6 in favor of incorporation. This marked a turning point in Ellsworth’s civic development, allowing for more structured governance and public services.

Much of Ellsworth’s early history is preserved in *Gleanings from Ellsworth’s Yesteryears*, a 1967 book by local historian Elsie Timmer. The book captures personal stories, pioneer hardships, and the transformation of the village from dense forestland to a thriving rural community.{{cite web |title=Gleanings from Ellsworth’s Yesteryears |url=https://www.bankstownship.net/gleanings/ |access-date=2025-06-19}}

In the decades following 1967, Ellsworth experienced a gradual shift from a resource-based economy to one centered on community and recreation. The removal of railroad tracks in the late 20th century marked the end of its role as a shipping hub. In the 1990s, the village gained national attention with the opening of Tapawingo, a fine-dining restaurant that drew culinary acclaim and visitors from across the country.{{cite news |title=Ellsworth, Michigan: Going Home |work=TIME |date=1990-09-10 |url=https://time.com/archive/6715839/ellsworth-michigan-going-home-roots-but-no-tracks/ |access-date=2025-06-19}}

Community revitalization efforts in the 2000s led to the creation of the Ellsworth Labyrinth, a meditative walking path maintained by volunteers. The village also expanded its annual Pig Roast Festival, a tradition since the mid-20th century, into a regional event featuring live music, craft vendors, and family activities.

Ellsworth’s location along the Chain of Lakes Water Trail has further positioned it as a destination for paddlers and eco-tourists. Investments in signage, launch sites, and conservation partnerships have supported this identity.{{cite web |title=Chain of Lakes Water Trail |url=https://paddleantrim.com/water-trail/ |access-date=2025-06-19}}

Ellsworth’s economy has evolved from its 19th-century roots in logging and agriculture to embrace tourism, small businesses, and community development initiatives.

A key factor in this transition has been the village’s location along the Breezeway, a 26-mile scenic corridor connecting Atwood to Boyne Falls. Developed in the early 2000s, the Breezeway initiative was designed to promote rural economic vitality by attracting visitors to farm markets, shops, and recreational sites in Ellsworth and neighboring communities.{{cite web |title=The Breezeway |url=https://www.ridethebreezeway.com/ |access-date=2025-06-19}}

Local efforts to revitalize the downtown area have also played a role. In 2023, Banks Township introduced a program to encourage upper-floor housing development above commercial storefronts in Ellsworth. The initiative seeks to increase year-round residency and support local businesses.{{cite web |title=Banks Township Planning Documents |url=https://www.bankstownship.net/ |access-date=2025-06-19}}

Civic engagement has underpinned these economic efforts. A 2024 community survey found that over 60% of residents expressed interest in volunteering for initiatives such as historical preservation, trail maintenance, and local events, highlighting the township's grassroots approach to development.

Tourism tied to the Chain of Lakes Water Trail continues to contribute to the local economy. The village supports eco-tourism infrastructure such as kayak launches and wayfinding signage, often in partnership with environmental organizations.{{cite web |title=Chain of Lakes Water Trail |url=https://paddleantrim.com/water-trail/ |access-date=2025-06-19}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of {{convert|0.80|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|0.72|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.08|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=November 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archivedate=January 25, 2012 }}

Ellsworth is about {{convert|40|mi|km}} northeast of Traverse City.Haddix, Carol. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1985/06/30/there-is-such-a-thing-as-michigan-cuisine-and-tapawingo-serves/ There Is Such A Thing As Michigan Cuisine, And Tapawingo Serves]." Chicago Tribune. June 30, 1985. Retrieved on October 19, 2013. " Ellsworth, a town of 400 about 40 miles northeast of Traverse City. "

{{US Census population

|1940= 347

|1950= 369

|1960= 386

|1970= 362

|1980= 436

|1990= 418

|2000= 483

|2010= 349

|2020= 367

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}

}}

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=November 25, 2012}} of 2010, there were 349 people, 142 households, and 100 families residing in the village. The population density was {{convert|484.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 186 housing units at an average density of {{convert|258.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the village was 97.1% White, 0.6% African American, 0.9% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 142 households, of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.6% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the village was 42.9 years. 24.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.6% were from 25 to 44; 32.4% were from 45 to 64; and 15.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 483 people, 174 households, and 132 families residing in the village. The population density was {{convert|652.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 204 housing units at an average density of {{convert|275.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the village was 96.48% White, 0.21% African American, 0.41% Native American, 1.04% from other races, and 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.

There were 174 households, out of which 43.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 31.1% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $38,125, and the median income for a family was $45,694. Males had a median income of $34,375 versus $26,719 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,781. About 5.5% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 19.0% of those age 65 or over.

{{Antrim County, Michigan}}

{{Coord|45|09|56|N|85|14|46|W|type:city_region:US-MI|display=title}}

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Category:Villages in Antrim County, Michigan

Category:Villages in Michigan

Category:1938 establishments in Michigan

Category:Populated places established in 1938