Samuel Horton’s Unexpected Journey
Some of the best stories in history begin with an unexpected turn. And that’s exactly how Horton Bay, Michigan, came to be.
On this day, August 1, 1856, Samuel Horton arrived by sailboat on the shores of now named as Horton Bay. Traveling aboard a small flat-bottomed sailing vessel named the Rover. Horton had set out with nine people, including six of his daughters. They had a goal of reaching Grand Rapids. Supplies were low and they made a stop on a beautiful bay along Pine Lake—today’s Lake Charlevoix.
Horton must have seen something special in the peaceful waters and rolling hills because he chose to stay. The family became the first known white settlers in the area. Their name has lived on ever since in the charming lakeside community of Horton Bay.
A Life of Adventure and Industry
Samuel Horton’s story didn’t start in Michigan. Born in Canada in 1800, Horton moved to Toledo, Ohio, as a young man, where he raised his family. By the time he set sail in 1856, he was already a seasoned traveler.
After settling near the bay, Horton became a jack-of-all-trades: ferrying goods between lakeside towns, creating and selling “Original Horton’s Tonic” (one of the many cure-all medicines popular in the 19th century), and even serving as a justice of the peace. Over time, he acquired land and became a well-known figure in the small but growing community.
Sometime after 1880, Horton moved to Elk Rapids to live near one of his daughters. He passed away on February 28, 1893. For decades, the location of his final resting place remained a mystery. Recent research uncovered he was likely buried beside his seventh daughter, Maria McLaughlin, in Elk Rapids Cemetery. A ceremony and new marker honor the place where he is believed to rest.
Horton Bay: A Place of History and Hemingway
Horton Bay is not just a dot on the map—it holds a special place in Michigan history. In 1975, the village received a Michigan State Historic Site designation. Its iconic properties, including the Horton Bay General Store, Horton Bay School, and the Red Fox Inn, are also on the National Register of Historic Places.
The bay also holds literary significance. Famed author Ernest Hemingway spent his boyhood summers here, camping, fishing, and falling in love with Michigan’s wild beauty. Horton Bay is the setting for several of Hemingway’s beloved “Nick Adams” short stories. Hemingway married Hadley Richardson at the Methodist Church in Horton Bay.
A Legacy That Lives On
Today, Horton Bay remains a picturesque destination along Lake Charlevoix, where history and natural beauty intertwine. The legacy of Samuel Horton and his accidental founding of the community is celebrated by both residents and visitors.
The next time you find yourself wandering through Northern Michigan, take a moment to visit this quiet bay—where a man seeking shelter left behind a story that still echoes nearly 170 years later.
Historical Marker
Horton Bay
Industry and Invention (1875-1915) – Registered in 1975 and erected in 1977 – ID #S463
Located In Bay Township Hall, corner of Lake Street and Boyne City Road. Boyne City – Lat: 45.28457900 / Long: -85.07863900
Named for pioneer settler Samuel Horton, this village was founded as a lumbering community in 1876, complete with sawmill, shanty boys, boarding house, company store, blacksmith shop, and draft horses. The store and many early buildings still stand. After the timber was gone, three fine restaurants opened: Dilworth’s, The Waffle Shop, and The Red Fox Inn. Young Ernest Hemingway frequently came here to fish and camp on “The Point.” This area is the setting for several of his famous “Nick Adams” short stories. Hemingway was married here in 1921.
