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A walk through history, in Manistee

The new Origins Walk completes Manistee's River Walk, near the shore of Lake Michigan. (Photo: Patrick Shea / Interlochen Public Radio)
The new Origins Walk completes Manistee's River Walk, near the shore of Lake Michigan. (Photo: Patrick Shea / Interlochen Public Radio)

Right where the Manistee River finishes winding its way into Lake Michigan, a new pathway winds through a storied past as it leads visitors to the water’s edge.

The Origin Walk is the capstone project of Manistee’s River Walk. At the unveiling ceremony last week, a small crowd braved the rain and hail to celebrate the newest addition to the town’s collection of historic preservation and public art.

On the west end of First Street, a series of sculptures line the gradually descending pathway. They look like tall stencils made of steel, and they’re carefully designed to catch sunlight and provide stunning sight lines of both the river and lakeshore.

Each sculpture depicts a different part of Manistee’s past, starting with indigenous history, depicting the lifeways of the Anishinaabe.

“I’m truly amazed at the Origin Walk being unveiled here today,” said Larry Romanelli, Ogema of the Little River band of Ottawa Indians. “It captures the history and the spirit of Manistee and our tribal nation in the most unique way. Through these sculptures, their presentation and their magnificent way of honoring our collective history, we are seeing something which we can all be proud of.”

The sculptures that follow depict Manistee's role as a major hub during the timber boom of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Toward the bottom of the pathway are plaques profiling some of the region’s earliest American settlers. It’s a robust and informative trail, but also accessible. The smooth sidewalk provides a short and casual jaunt for any visitor.

A crowd braves the weather for the unveiling of Manistee's Origins Walk. (Photo: Patrick Shea / Interlochen Public Radio)
A crowd braves the weather for the unveiling of Manistee's Origins Walk. (Photo: Patrick Shea / Interlochen Public Radio)

Despite the weather — hail and rain, at times heavy — spirits were up at the unveiling event. The word “pride” came up frequently, which summed up the mood in the umbrella-wielding crowd.

And the exhibit is truly Michigan-made. It was planned out by Rightside Designs, a company owned by Brandon Jenson – a self-described “fifth generation Manistee kid.” The raw materials came from Alro Steel in Cadillac, and Epic Manufacturing out of Ludington welded the pieces together.

In a reflection of the in-state collaboration that led to the Origins Walk, the final speaker at the unveiling was David Lorenz, vice president of Travel Michigan.

“I think about the challenges that we’ve all gone through these last three years,” said Lorenz. “It’s changed us as a society. But I also know that it’s changed travelers. It’s changed their interest in life itself.”

Lorenz says part of that change is an increased appreciation of history – of understanding the human stories behind a place.

“What you’re doing here today is more than just putting together a beautiful piece of art. It’s more than just celebrating your history and culture,” he said. “Those are beautiful and important things. But you’re bringing people together, and there’s nothing more important than that right now.”

Patrick Shea was a natural resources reporter at Interlochen Public Radio. Before joining IPR, he worked a variety of jobs in conservation, forestry, prescribed fire and trail work. He earned a degree in natural resources from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, and his interest in reporting grew as he studied environmental journalism at the University of Montana's graduate school.