Located near the Bowers Harbor boat launch in Old Mission Peninsula is a charming pavilion that seems more at home in a picturesque park. This century-old structure, built in 1920, is a significant piece of Traverse City’s regional history. Originally serving as the Cherry Growers Weigh Station, it provided a convenient location for local farmers to weigh their harvested cherries, saving them the time and effort of traveling into Traverse City.
After closing in the 1960s, the pavilion underwent a transformation, becoming Lorey’s Harbor Station. This market, which operated from 1972 to 2017, offered a selection of fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables to the public.
The story of cherry production in Traverse City dates back to 1852 when Presbyterian missionary Peter Dougherty planted numerous cherry trees in the Old Mission Peninsula. Despite initial skepticism from residents and local Native Americans, Dougherty’s experiment proved successful, inspiring others to cultivate their own orchards.
As the cherry industry thrived, Traverse City established the “Blessing of the Blossoms” ceremony in 1924 to celebrate its agricultural success. This tradition eventually evolved into the renowned National Cherry Festival, with the first Cherry Queen, Charlotte Kearns, crowned in 1926.
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