A Little About the Name
Interlochen comes from a blend of Latin and Scottish-Gaelic — the Latin "inter," meaning "between," and the Scottish-Gaelic "lochan," meaning "lakes." (Think Loch Ness Monster — or more accurately, Lake Ness Monster!)
Long before settlers from Europe arrived, the area was home to the Odawa people, who lived between two lakes they called Wahbekaness and Wahbekanetta — known today as Duck Lake and Green Lake. (I’ll be writing about the tribe’s rich history in a future blog post.)
In the late 19th century, European immigrants began moving into the area, founding a small village called Wylie, about a mile south of today’s Interlochen. With their arrival, they introduced the logging and fishing industries, promoting fast “western” growth.
Why We Chose the Name "Interlochen Depot"
The current “downtown” area of Interlochen was once a bustling train depot with a major interlocking tower.
As the logging industry exploded in the late 1800s, the Buckley & Douglas Lumber Company, owners of the Manistee and North-Eastern Railroad (M&NE), extended their railroad north from Nessen City, reaching Interlochen — then simply known as "Between the Lakes" — in the fall of 1889.
At the same time, the Chicago and West Michigan Railway started extending north from Baldwin to Traverse City, completing their route in 1890. These two major railroad lines crossed right in downtown Interlochen! The original townsite was platted just south of the depot, along either side of the M&NE rail line. The business district centered around today’s J Maddy Parkway (formerly M-137) near Riley Road and 10th Street.
The Birth of Pine Park and Interlochen State Park
As the lumber industry grew, the forests quickly disappeared. Thankfully, the Buckley & Douglas Lumber Company had the foresight to recognize the area's tourism potential and set aside 186 acres of virgin pines between the lakes for preservation — naming it Pine Park in honor of the towering trees.
Seeing opportunity with the area's natural beauty, a local businessman named Willis Pennington built his dream: the Pennington Hotel — right on the shores of Green Lake. Opening in 1909, this luxurious spot boosted the area's reputation as a summer destination. Around the same time, a smaller depot — Pine Park Station — was built in 1909 to serve the steady stream of summer visitors.
It worked: people flocked to the area to stay, camp, swim, fish, and enjoy a pristine escape from their busy city lives.
Around 1912, locals began to worry that Pine Park would be logged after all, as the lumber industry slowed and deforestation accelerated. They petitioned the Michigan Legislature — and in 1917, the state allocated $60,000 to purchase the 186 acres and protect it as parkland. A huge win for the community!
The newly acquired park was named "The Pines," but in 1920, when the Michigan State Park Commission was formed, it was renamed Interlochen State Park — the very first state park formally organized by the State of Michigan.
The Changing Landscape
By the late 20th century, the lumber industry had mostly disappeared, and only a few small planted forests remained. The railroads that once carried tourists, students, and lumber through Interlochen were also removed: the M&NE line was dismantled in 1934, and the C&WM railroad finally disappeared in 1982.
Stepping back to 1928, Joseph E. Maddy founded the National High School Orchestra Camp just south of Interlochen — now world-famous as the Interlochen Center for the Arts. (Fun fact: the Center’s current grounds even include parts of the old village of Wylie — but that’s another beautiful story for another time!)
A New Chapter
Today, Interlochen and the surrounding areas remain a beloved spot for visitors and adventurers, offering everything from camping, kayaking, and fishing in the summer to hunting, skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling in the fall and winter.
Just like the Depot brought people together over 100 years ago, we hope The Interlochen Depot will become a new gathering spot for neighbors, travelers, and friends — between the lakes once again.
Picture from Wikipedia