TRAVERSE CITY

seat (1851) of Grand Traverse county, northwestern Michigan, U.S., on Grand Traverse Bay (Lake Michigan). Settled in 1847 and named for the bay (French Lac Travers: lake lying crosswise), it developed from a timber town into one of the nation's chief cherry-processing markets and the hub of a vast year-round resort area. Light manufacturing augments its economy. The tip (marked by a lighthouse) of the 20-mile- (32-kilometre-) long Old Mission Peninsula, jutting into Grand Traverse Bay from the city, is exactly midway between the equator and the North Pole. Summer events include the National Cherry Festival and the Northwestern Michigan Fair. Northwestern Michigan College (1951) is located in the city. The National Music Camp for summer students and the Interlochen Arts Academy are at Interlochen, 14 miles (23 km) southwest. Inc. village, 1881; city, 1895. Pop. (1992 est.) 15,418.