This photo is labeled “Stan BAM”. “Omena Dock”. Photo credit Omena Historical Society. – Stan (Stanley) Moore and Blanche Anderson Moore (BAM or Bamboo) are likely candidates.
Old Dock closed for repairs in 2021
The old dock was closed in 2021. In need of repairs and deemed not safe, it stood a testament to what once was. This old dock has a long history. Reverend Peter Dougherty noted in the fall of 1851 that the site of the present OTYC dock would be a “good landing”. He sketched a possible path from that landing to his mission site as “good for road”.
In the 1890’s the Hotel Leelanau, located on Omena Heights where the Smith Orchard is today, was sold to the Omena Hotel Association. It made several additions, one of which included thousands of dollars spent for a new dock called “The Resort Dock.” Apparently it was in the same place Dougherty first unloaded supplies for his mission.
In the summer of 1911, the white Pavilion was built in front of the docks. Frank and Louis Anderson, the two sons of Andrew and Maret Anderson, proposed it as a focal point for all cottagers who wished to join.
This could be the old dock from the background. There is no photo description with it, but it’s a wonderful photo and doubtless many such boats tied up at the old OTYC dock. Photo credit Omena Historical Society
The Beginning of OTYC
But when Hecter Carmichael bought the building during the depression, he used it chiefly as a warehouse, and had it boarded up. Later with the interest of teenagers Jane (Basler) Newland and Augustus “Gus” Rogers in sailing, the beginnings of OTYC were formed.
In 1948, Hector agreed to let them have the use of the Pavilion for one dollar a year. By 1949 enough adults became involved that the building was purchased for $2000 from Carmichael. One of the first things they did was to organize sailboat races. They would race for a little brown jug from the dock.
The weekly sailboat races brought together the cottagers from Ingalls Bay, Omena Bay and the village. The octogenarians, teenagers, and children all either watched or participated in the weekly races.
My son raced in the 70’s and his greatest competitor was “Rat” Renz who was twice his age. My grandson now races Sunfish from those same docks. Think of the bare feet that trod those docks through the ages, the boats large and small that were tied up there. This old dock has a history and is central to the fabric of Omena.
