Editing Frankfort, Michigan

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = City of Frankfort
| settlement_type = [[City]]
| image_skyline = Frankfort Harbor.jpg
| imagesize = 275
| image_caption = Aerial view of Frankfort Harbor
| pushpin_map = Michigan
| pushpin_label_position = left<!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_label = Frankfort
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the state of Michigan
| pushpin_mapsize = 
| image_map = Frankfort, MI location.png
| mapsize = 250
| map_caption = Location within [[Benzie County, Michigan|Benzie County]]
| coordinates = {{coord|44|38|01|N|86|14|04|W|region:US-MI|display=inline}}
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]]
| subdivision_name = {{Flagu|United States}}
| subdivision_name1 = {{Flag|Michigan}}
| subdivision_name2 = [[Benzie County, Michigan|Benzie]]
| government_type = 
| leader_title = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name = Liz Dobrzynski
| established_title = Established
| established_date = 1850
| area_magnitude = 
| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 21, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 4.11
| area_land_km2 = 3.60
| area_water_km2 = 0.51
| population_footnotes = 
| population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est = 
| pop_est_as_of = 
| population_note = 
| population_total = 1252
| population_metro = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 900.72
| population_density_km2 = 347.67
| timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset = -5
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = -4|
| area_total_sq_mi = 1.59
| area_land_sq_mi = 1.39
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.20
| elevation_m = 193
| elevation_ft = 633
| website = {{URL|http://www.frankfortmich.com|Official website}}
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code|ZIP code(s)]]
| postal_code = 49635
| area_code = [[Area code 231|231]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 26-30260<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 0626407<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
| footnotes = 
| pop_est_footnotes = 
| unit_pref = Imperial
| established_title1 = Incorporated
| established_date1 = 1885 (village)<br/>1935 (city)
| name = Frankfort, Michigan
}}
'''Frankfort''' is a [[city]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Michigan]]. Located within [[Benzie County, Michigan|Benzie County]], the city sits upon the shore of [[Lake Michigan]] at the mouth of the [[Betsie River]]. The city had a population of 1,252 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].

==History==
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2019}}
{{See also|History of Northern Michigan}}
Father [[Jacques Marquette]], one of the first Jesuit missionaries to the Great Lakes Indians, may have died and been buried in Frankfort in May 1675. Very limited and inexact records make the death site a matter of considerable debate among historians. Frankfort is one of two locations attributed as the death site by the natives since the earliest settlers arrived in northern Michigan and one of at least two sites claimed by historians. In any case within two years the remains were taken to the church at St. Ignace and given a traditional Indian burial.

The land which was to become the City of Frankfort was recognized at an early date for its economic and commercial potential because it was nearly all purchased by the contractors who surveyed the land for the United States—the Risdon family. The first known settler in Frankfort was Joseph Oliver who purchased the {{convert|14|acre|m2}} between Lake Aux Becs Scies and Lake Michigan in 1852 and built a small cabin.<ref>{{Cite web |last=N. A. |first=Parker |title=History of Crystal Lake Township |url=https://migenweb.org/benzie/history/CrystalLakeTwp.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=May 1, 2025 |website=Benzie County GenWeb}}</ref> Oliver was a woodsman who lived off the land: fishing, hunting, trapping and cutting timber. In 1855 a schooner owned by George W. Tifft of Cleveland was caught in a gale on Lake Michigan and driven before the wind. Imagine the surprise of Captain Snow when he found a previously little-known river outlet and harbor which provided a safe refuge. Thus, Aux Becs Scies Lake was discovered by an outside investor, George W. Tifft, who purchased most of the land around and adjoining the lake (more than a thousand acres (4&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) all together). In 1859 a company from Detroit owned by Ransom Gardiner, George S. Frost, and others purchased the Tifft lands and commenced development of Frankfort within the year. In September, Louis A. Doby moved to the area as agent of the developers with John H. Adams to oversee the work. They sent along a sawmill and A.S. Dow to manage that phase of the development. Descendants of the Dow family—founders of the Dow Chemical Company—are unaware of any relationship to A.S. Dow. Doby held a contract to dredge a new channel so the harbor would be available for navigation by all types of craft. He also constructed a building for the firm which served as a hotel and store. The first lot in the development near the west end of Forest Avenue was sold to William H. Cogshall. He built a large home for his family, but his dwelling also served the fledgling community as a hotel and for religious and political meetings. The second lot, also at the west end of Forest Avenue, was purchased by Dr. Alonzo J. Slyfield, who served for 22 years as keeper of the Point Betsie Light House. Although the development had a promising start there was relatively little activity during the Civil War years. Virtually all of this early development took place in the area of First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Main Streets and Forest Avenue.

By 1867 the United States government recognized the importance of Aux Becs Scies harbor and commenced improvements. Doby's work from 1859 had completely disappeared and a channel was dredged at the south end of the strip of land dividing the two lakes. Shortly an enthusiastic newspaperman reported four to ten vessel arrivals a day and new settlers in droves. Stores were built and a large hotel, the Delbridge House, opened for business. A post office had been established in 1860 with Cogshall as postmaster but was eventually closed for want of business. This was reopened in 1867 with N.W. Nelson  postmaster. Among the other early settlers were Jacob and Charles Voorhies, J.B. Delbridge, Dr. T. Harvey, and J.B. Collins who opened his drug store in 1869.

Although the harbor was opened in 1867, work on it continued for several years. By 1870 the channel was {{convert|200|ft|m}} wide and had a south pier of {{convert|600|ft|m}} while the north one measured {{convert|550|ft|m}}. A depth of about nine feet was maintained which allowed most of the vessels on the Great Lakes to enter the harbor. In 1873, the United States Lighthouse Service established the first pier head light to mark the entrance. In 1887 a United States Life Saving Station was established on the south side of the harbor. In 1934, as the United States Coast Guard, this station was moved to large new quarters on the Frankfort side of the channel. The original piers had been extended until they reached a length of {{convert|2000|ft|m}} in 1912. Between 1929 and 1932 the breakwaters were built to protect the harbor at a cost of over  and the old piers were reduced in length.
[[File:PrattHotel.jpg|250px|thumb|The Pratt hotel postcard c. 1909]]
When Crystal Lake Township was organized in 1859, it included all of the present Benzie County. The first township meeting was held in the spring of 1860 at Frankfort in Doby's (the development company) store. The Benzie County government was organized by Public Act 385 of 1869 and local citizens set off in search of a county seat and a courthouse. After two elections, Frankfort was chosen and the Supervisors met in the community for the first time in April 1870. Although the first session was held in the Saterlee Hotel later sessions were held in a two-story commercial building on the corner of Second and Main Streets. However, in 1872 new elections were held and citizens of the county decided to move the county seat into the countryside east of Benzonia. Frankfort contested the move and managed to retain the seat of government, at least in name, until 1876. Following another election in 1894, the county seat returned to the community and a large school building was converted to a courthouse. Although the matter was frequently debated the county seat remained in Frankfort until 1908 when citizens voted to move it to an abandoned church in the Village of Honor.

In October 1873, the citizens of Frankfort unanimously petitioned the circuit court to become a village under a new act of the State Legislature. The petition was granted but the effort failed when the State Act was declared unconstitutional. In 1885 the citizens petitioned the State Legislature in the normal fashion and the incorporated village of Frankfort was established by Local Act No. 352 of 1885 on April 1 and by Local Act No. 352 of 1885 on May 14. (Legal boundaries of Frankfort are: Government Lots 2, 3, and 4 of Section 21; the Southeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 21; the South Half of the North Half of Section 22; Government Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Section 27; and the Northwest Fractional Quarter of Section 28 of Township No. 26 North of Range No. 16 West.)

Frankfort has enjoyed a steady growth over the years and by the 1930s had reached a population whereby they could become a city. Accordingly, voters of the village elected to become a city of the fifth class on March 11, 1935, with 229 votes in favor and 127 against. There was no change in the boundaries of the original village.

==Geography==
*According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.59|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|1.39|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.20|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{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]] |access-date=2012-11-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}</ref>
*Frankfort bills itself as the gateway to the [[Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/slbe/|title=Sleeping Bear Dunes|work=nps.gov}}</ref>
*Frankfort is considered to be part of [[Northern Michigan]].
*The [[Point Betsie Light]] is in the area and has been in operation for 150 years.  It is locally operated and maintained, and is undergoing a complete renovation.<ref>[http://www.pointbetsie.org/ Friends of the Point Betsie Lighthouse.].</ref>
*The town is close to the [[Interlochen State Park]], which is one of two remaining stands of virgin [[Eastern White Pine]] in the [[Lower Peninsula]].

===Climate===
The [[Köppen Climate Classification]] subtype for this climate is "[[Humid continental climate|Dfb]]" (Warm Summer Continental Climate).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=489202&cityname=Frankfort%2C+Michigan%2C+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Frankfort, Michigan Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|work=Weatherbase}}</ref>
{{Weather box 
|location = Frankfort 2 NE, Michigan (948 feet) 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1898–present
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 56
|Feb record high F = 63
|Mar record high F = 79
|Apr record high F = 86
|May record high F = 90
|Jun record high F = 95
|Jul record high F = 99
|Aug record high F = 95
|Sep record high F = 92
|Oct record high F = 84
|Nov record high F = 79
|Dec record high F = 62
|year record high F = 99
|Jan high F = 28.6
|Feb high F = 30.6
|Mar high F = 39.5
|Apr high F = 51.8
|May high F = 63.9
|Jun high F = 73.4
|Jul high F = 77.4
|Aug high F = 76.1
|Sep high F = 69.0
|Oct high F = 56.2
|Nov high F = 43.9
|Dec high F = 33.6
|year high F = 53.7
|Jan mean F = 23.6
|Feb mean F = 24.8
|Mar mean F = 32.5
|Apr mean F = 43.2
|May mean F = 54.4
|Jun mean F = 64.0
|Jul mean F = 68.9
|Aug mean F = 68.3
|Sep mean F = 61.4
|Oct mean F = 49.6
|Nov mean F = 38.4
|Dec mean F = 28.9
|year mean F = 46.5
|Jan low F = 18.5
|Feb low F = 19.1
|Mar low F = 25.4
|Apr low F = 34.6
|May low F = 44.9
|Jun low F = 54.6
|Jul low F = 60.4
|Aug low F = 60.5
|Sep low F = 53.9
|Oct low F = 42.9
|Nov low F = 32.9
|Dec low F = 24.1
|year low F = 39.3
|Jan record low F = -20
|Feb record low F = -32
|Mar record low F = -15
|Apr record low F = -1
|May record low F = 19
|Jun record low F = 29
|Jul record low F = 33
|Aug record low F = 31
|Sep record low F = 26
|Oct record low F = 18
|Nov record low F = -8
|Dec record low F = -4
|year record low F = -32
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.19
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.72
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.98
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.06
|May precipitation inch = 3.08
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.17
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.04
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.18
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.75
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.99
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.94
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.23
|year precipitation inch = 34.34
|Jan snow inch = 27.2
|Feb snow inch = 19.4
|Mar snow inch = 12.8
|Apr snow inch = 3.3
|May snow inch = 0.1
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.3
|Nov snow inch = 6.4
|Dec snow inch = 23.5
|year snow inch = 93.0
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 15.2
|Feb precipitation days = 11.2
|Mar precipitation days = 9.3
|Apr precipitation days = 10.1
|May precipitation days = 10.7
|Jun precipitation days = 9.2
|Jul precipitation days = 9.2
|Aug precipitation days = 8.6
|Sep precipitation days = 10.6
|Oct precipitation days = 13.0
|Nov precipitation days = 12.4
|Dec precipitation days = 13.2
|year precipitation days = 132.7
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 14.2
|Feb snow days = 10.4
|Mar snow days = 6.2
|Apr snow days = 1.9
|May snow days = 0.1
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.2
|Nov snow days = 4.3
|Dec snow days = 11.4
|year snow days = 48.7
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= NOAA >
{{cite web
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=apx
| title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 28, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00202984&format=pdf
| title = Station: Frankfort 2NE, MI
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 28, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 782
|1890= 1175
|1900= 1465
|1910= 1555
|1920= 1244
|1930= 1468
|1940= 1642
|1950= 1605
|1960= 1690
|1970= 1660
|1980= 1603
|1990= 1546
|2000= 1513
|2010= 1286
|2020= 1252
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
[[Image:Frankfort Michigan frozen harbor.jpg|thumb|left|The harbor entrance to Frankfort was completely frozen over in February 1994.]]

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,286 people, 601 households, and 328 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|925.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 942 housing units at an average density of {{convert|677.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.0% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 601 households, of which 18.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.4% were non-families. 41.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.63.

The median age in the city was 54.6 years. 15.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.7% were from 25 to 44; 26.6% were from 45 to 64; and 36.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.8% male and 55.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,513 people, 665 households, and 395 families residing in the city.  The population density was {{convert|1,084.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 873 housing units at an average density of {{convert|625.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 95.84% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.33% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.31% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.26% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.13% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.12% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 1.78% of the population.

There were 665 households, out of which 20.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 17.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 31.2% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.2 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,821, and the median income for a family was $43,375. Males had a median income of $29,205 versus $21,389 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,132.  About 6.6% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.6% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
The area is a tourism hotspot, providing a wide variety of recreational opportunities, both on and off the water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frankfort-elberta.com|title=Frankfort - Elberta Area Chamber of Commerce - Home|work=frankfort-elberta.com}}</ref>  Local activities, attractions, and its location near rivers, lakes, and Lake Michigan, plus forests, make it a four-season destination. This claim is proudly advertised on the arch above the town's entrance, though some find the winters to be a difficult sell.<ref>[http://www.frankfort-elberta.com/recreation.html Attractions, recreational opportunities.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204042859/http://www.frankfort-elberta.com/recreation.html |date=February 4, 2011 }}</ref>
It is highly recommended by a report in ''[[The New York Times]]'' as a starting point for bicycling, whether for a day trip or longer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html|title=SUMMER VACATIONS; Biking Along Michigan's Hilly Shores|first=Laura|last=Mansnerus|date=6 June 1993|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>
Shopping and antiquing in the historic downtown are a significant portion of the economic base.
Frankfort is close to the [[Interlochen Center for the Arts]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interlochen.org/|title=Interlochen Center for the Arts|work=interlochen.org}}</ref> and [[Crystal Mountain (Michigan)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crystalmountain.com/|title=Crystal Mountain Ski Area|work=crystalmountain.com}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
*{{jct|state=MI|M|22|Tour|LMCT}} runs primarily north–south through Frankfort, paralleling the shore of Lake Michigan throughout its length.
*{{jct|state=MI|M|115}} begins just east of Frankfort, and continues east to [[Beulah, Michigan|Beulah]], [[Copemish, Michigan|Copemish]], [[Mesick, Michigan|Mesick]], [[Cadillac, Michigan|Cadillac]], and [[Clare, Michigan|Clare]]. The highway can be used to access [[U.S. Route 31 in Michigan|US Highway 31]].

==See also==
* [[National Landmark of Soaring]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Frankfort (Michigan)|Frankfort, Michigan}}
*[http://clarke.cmich.edu/localhistory/Benzie.htm Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Bibliography for Benzie County]
*[http://www.frankfortmich.com/ City of Frankfort official website]
*[http://www.frankfort-elberta.com Frankfort-Elberta Area Chamber of Commerce]
*[http://www.pointbetsie.org/ Friends of the Point Betsie Lighthouse.]
*[http://clarke.cmich.edu/oilandgas/geology.htm Michigan Geology -- Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University.]
*[http://www.michigan.org Michigan's Official Economic Development and Travel Site.]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071224164252/http://www.michmarkers.com/default.asp Michigan Historic Markers]}}
*[http://www.visitbenzie.com/ Frankfort Lodging and Visitor Information]

{{Benzie County, Michigan}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Benzie County, Michigan]]
[[Category:1873 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:Michigan populated places on Lake Michigan]]
[[Category:Traverse City metropolitan area]]