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Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 10:26 PM

Bohemians settle Gill’s Pier, est. church

Bohemians settle Gill’s Pier, est. church
Many of Gill's Pier settlers at the Holy Name Rally at St. Wenceslaus Church. Photo courtesy of Helen Korson

The following is an excerpt from “A History of Leelanau Township” by the Leelanau Township Historical writers.

The Czechs or Bohemians of Gill’s Pier came to Leelanau Township after the Civil War. A number of the people came to Leland (Carp River) to work in the Leland Iron Company Furnace. After the furnace closed down they purchased farms in the fertile and picturesque area where the rolling, wooded hills reminded them of their beloved Bohemia — now part of the Czech Republic.

The 1880s census gives these names:

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