Our Building
Since 2011, Lake Effect Community Arts Center has provided the Manistique area with
education, celebration, and exposure to the wonderful world of art. What started as a
quaint but dedicated gallery on Trader’s Point has turned into a robust operation on the
corner of South Cedar and Arbutus offering art classes for all ages, the Music in Manistique
concert series, monthly art exhibits from local and nationally recognized artists, summer
jam band sessions, the Manistique farmer’s market, the Lake Effect Art Gallery,
Maker’s Markets, Christmas Markets, community rental space, and Boat and RV
storage.
My name is Alexa Young
The Lake Effect Community Arts time in the rambling Creighton building in downtown
Manistique began with a generous gift from MBank in 2019. The building sat empty for
years prior to its donation, but the site has a long and illustrious history in the city.
Originally the site of the 60x125 square foot Rose brothers department store in 1900, the store
sold men’s and women’s clothing popular with both visitors and townspeople, and was
one of the largest in the Upper Peninsula.
The store was destroyed by fire
in 1903 and again in 1906. The Rose brothers moved from Manistique in 1909 and sold
the building the Patrick McNamara, who opened a saloon in one half and a Winkleman’s
clothing and dry goods in the other.
When Prohibition was enacted he had to close his saloon and beer company - the Winkleman's then occupied the entire building. During the late 1920's the Winklemans left Manistique - the corner building became the People's Tractor and Supply Company and then the Creighton Ford Garage in which operated in Manistique for 82 years.
Since the donation
of the Creighton building, we have an additional opportunity to preserve a crucial piece
of Manistique history. The most important part of Lake Effect Community Arts Center is our Community. If you'd like to be involved send us a message! If you'd like to donate to the restoration of the building, including making it more handicap accessible, please support us.
