Images of Bay View, Petoskey, Michigan

For thirty-six years Bay View has been the home of the Methodist Camp Ground Association and this fact founded it and is the striking feature of its history. Sometime in September, 1875, the citizens of Petoskey first learned that the Methodists of Michigan were desirous of selecting a site somewhere in the state for the purpose of holding annual camp meetings and establishing a summer resort. Soon after a committee consisting of ten leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church from different parts of the state was appointed to select a suitable site for this purpose, and in November of that year decided on locating at Bay View, at that time a dense forest. The land was then owned by a number of individuals, but Petoskey people, well knowing what an advantage it would be to them to have a permanent state camp ground at that locality at once took hold of the matter, and by liberal donations on the part of citizens enough money was raised by subscription to purchase the three hundred and thirty acres of land, the price paid being nearly $3,000. The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company agreed to furnish money to buy this land, providing payment for so doing would be guaranteed, which was done by a few leading citizens and as fast as the money was collected it was paid over to the company.

W. G. Hinman, of the land department of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company selected the site chosen, and to this gentleman, H. O. & Abner S. Lee, Archie McMillan and a number of other leading citizens, is due much credit for the part they performed in establishing this institution. The railroad company also did much toward furthering the project. It was first deeded to J. M. Matheney and by him to the Michigan State Camp Ground Association of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By the condition of this deed the association agreed to hold an annual camp meeting on these grounds for fifteen successive years, and during that time to expend in erecting cottages, laying out streets, parks, grading and in other ways improving the grounds, not 1ess than $10.000. These conditions, as is well known, were far more than met by the association. In 1876 the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad was extended to the camp grounds, where the first meetings commenced on August 1st. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. E. II. Pilcher, president of the association.

Bay View is now one of the most prosperous resorts around the bay. Nearly seven hundred cottages, two large hotels and numerous rooming houses standing upon the beautiful grounds of the Methodist Camp Ground Association. Its affairs are managed by the Bay View Association and are in no way subject to the city government of Petoskey.

The resort has provided not only everything necessary for mental and re1igious exercises but for general relaxation and recreation, including boating and fishing and a swimming pool and howling alley. Nothing has been neglected to make the name Bay View fragrant with pleasant and invigorating influences.