Leland - An Historical Sketch #229142

That part of what is now Lelaneau County lying between Lake Michigan and the present Lake Lelaneau was most inac cessible, and practically unknown to white men as late as 1850. It's secluded position made it a natural Indian reservation. There were three small lakes, connected by shal low streams flowing northeastward and from the most northern lake a stream, not so large in volume as Boardman River at Traverse City, was the outlet of this lake and therefore of all three to Lake Michigan. The land down to the water's edge of these lakes and streams was one dense forest of almost every variety of the pine; White Pine, Hemlock, Norway or Yellow Pine, Fir, Cedar and Arbor Vita, with Maple often in large numbers in certain locations, Birch and Poplar scattered through the for est. Game of many kinds was plentiful, except the larger game, deer, elk and moose, which were found further south because they had to come south in their winter migration east of Traverse Bay. But there were fur bearing animals, wolf, fox, mink, otter, skunk and black bear, while ducks, geese, turkey and wild pigeons were in abundance in season.