History of Traverse City, Michigan in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 27, 2025

Traverse City, Michigan, is the county seat of Grand Traverse County, extending partly into Leelanau County. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 15,678, while the metropolitan area encompassed 153,448 residents across four counties. It stands as the largest city in Northern Michigan, serving as a significant regional hub.

1903: Expansion of Northern Michigan Asylum

By 1903, the Northern Michigan Asylum had expanded to include twelve housing cottages and two infirmaries to meet the needs of patients.

1924: Dr. James Decker Munson's Tenure Ends

In 1924, Dr. James Decker Munson's tenure as the first superintendent of the Northern Michigan Asylum, later the Traverse City State Hospital, ended. He had served in this role since 1885, during which time the institution expanded.

1925: Opening of Munson Medical Center

In 1925, Munson Medical Center opened and has since grown to serve much of Northern Michigan, becoming one of Traverse City's largest employers.

1925: First National Cherry Festival

In 1925, Traverse City held its first National Cherry Festival, originally named "Blessing of the Blossoms".

1928: Interlochen Center for the Arts Founded

In 1928, Interlochen Center for the Arts was founded.

1929: Opening of Ransom Field

In 1929, Ransom Field, Traverse City's first airport, opened, offering flights to Grand Rapids.

1934: Fire at Traverse City High School

In 1934, the original Traverse City High School building burnt down; classes were moved to the Perry Hannah House for three years.

1936: Record High Temperature

In 1936, Traverse City recorded its record high temperature of 105 °F (41 °C).

1936: Opening of Traverse City Airport and Closure of Ransom Field

In 1936, the new Traverse City Airport (now Cherry Capital Airport) opened, leading to the closure of Ransom Field.

September 1937: Classes Moved Back to Rebuilt High School

In September 1937, classes were moved back to the rebuilt Traverse City High School building.

1951: Opening of Northwestern Michigan College

In 1951, Northwestern Michigan College opened.

1952: Founding of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra

In 1952, the Traverse Symphony Orchestra was founded.

1953: Redevelopment of Ransom Field

In 1953, the grounds of Ransom Field were redeveloped as Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

1960: High School Moved to New Campus

In 1960, Traverse City High School was moved to a new college-style campus on the grounds of Northwestern Michigan College.

1972: Founding of The Pathfinder School

In 1972, The Pathfinder School was officially founded by Arthur and Nancy Baxter alongside a commitment of teachers from Interlochen, The Leelanau School, and Traverse City Area Public Schools.

February 17, 1979: Record Low Temperature

On February 17, 1979, Traverse City recorded its record low temperature of −37 °F (−38 °C).

1989: Annexation into Leelanau County

In 1989, a small portion of Traverse City was annexed into Leelanau County.

1989: Closure of Traverse City State Hospital

In 1989, the Traverse City State Hospital closed, resulting in job losses and homelessness for former patients.

1996: Dinner Train

In 1996, Traverse City had a "dinner train".

1997: Split of Traverse City High School

In 1997, Traverse City High School split into Traverse City Central and Traverse City West High Schools due to overcrowding.

2000: Renovation Project of Traverse City State Hospital

Since 2000, the Minervini Group has undertaken the project of renovating the Traverse City State Hospital property into a social center.

2002: Opening of The Children's House Main Campus

In 2002, The Traverse Children's House opened its main campus on North Long Lake Road as a unified Montessori school.

2004: Dinner Train Last Ride

In 2004, Traverse City had a "dinner train" until then.

2004: Blossom Days Festival Added

In 2004, the legislature added "Blossom Days" as a spring festival in Traverse City.

2005: Inaugural Traverse City Film Festival

In 2005, the Traverse City Film Festival was held for the first time.

2008: Cherry Festival Train

In 2008, Traverse City included a Cherry Festival train.

2014: Expansion to Include 7th and 8th Grade

In 2014, The Children's House expanded to include 7th and 8th grade.

November 3, 2015: Election of Jim Carruthers

On November 3, 2015, Jim Carruthers was elected as Traverse City's first openly gay mayor.

2019: Last Traverse City Film Festival

In 2019, the Traverse City Film Festival was held for the last time.

May 18, 2020: 125th Anniversary of Traverse City Incorporation

May 18, 2020, marked the 125th anniversary of Traverse City's incorporation as a city in 1895, and was known as the "quarantine quasquicentennial".

2020: Residence Distribution of Traverse City Residents

In 2020, of Traverse City's 15,678 residents, 15,341 lived in Grand Traverse County, with 337 (about 2.1%) in Leelanau County.

2020: Traverse City Population

In 2020, the city's population was 15,678, while the metropolitan area had 153,448 residents.

April 2021: Mock Slave Auction Controversy

In April 2021, a group of students from Traverse City high schools held an online mock slave auction on social media, leading to community backlash and a revised resolution from the TCAPS school board.

June 2021: Jim Carruthers Announces End of Mayoral Run

In June 2021, Jim Carruthers announced he would not run for his fourth mayoral term after serving as mayor of Traverse City for six years.

2021: Traverse City Prospect Tournament

In 2021, the Traverse City Prospect Tournament consisted of players from the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, and St. Louis Blues.

2022: Compass Montessori Junior High Moved to New Campus

In 2022, the growing young adolescent program became known as Compass Montessori Junior High and moved to its own campus in downtown Traverse City.

2023: Status of Dams on Boardman River

As of 2023, only one of the five dams constructed on the Boardman River remains.

2025: City Commission Composition

As of 2025, the city commission consists of mayor Amy Shamroe, mayor pro tem Mark Wilson, and commissioners Jackie Anderson, Heather Shaw, Mi Stanley, Mitch Treadwell, and Tim Werner.