Two individuals were especially influential in creating the area we now know as Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. On October 6th, I wrote about D.H. Day, the young entrepreneur known for developing Glen Haven. Today, I’m going to share Pierce Stocking’s story.
Before the fall color left, I drove the Piece Stocking Scenic Drive one last time before it closed for the winter. As with Glen Haven, I’ve driven this route many times, taken a gazillion pictures along the way, yet its beauty still appeals as much as the first time I drove it.
Pierce Stocking, known to most as Pat, was a lumberman who bought forest land from D.H. Day south of Glen Haven. A self-taught nature lover, Stocking loved the woods and dunes, he often walked the bluffs above Lake Michigan.
Stocking wanted to share the raw beauty of the dunes with others and conceived of the idea of building a road to the top of the dunes. As a lumberman, he was used to building roads in difficult terrain. But Stocking was also a land speculator. In the mid-1950s, during his time with the woods and dunes, he noticed that federal surveyors were in the Glen Lake area. Quietly, he began buying up land, deemed cheap worthless sand at the time.
Stocking began planning his road in the early 1960’s. In 1967, the 15-mile road opened to the public and was known as Sleeping Bear Dunes Park. A small handmade sign marked the entrance: “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.” Stocking charged $2 per car for the park drive. By the time his park opened, Stocking had bought up an estimated 10,000 acres of land, more than any other individual.
Over the course of its operation, Stocking made many enhancements to his park to attract visitors. “Dunesmobiles” had been operating on the dunes since the 1930s but were later discontinued for environmental reasons. Stocking also built a covered bridge, picnic areas, and overlooks along his road.
While Stocking was running “his” park, a firestorm began brewing in Washington D.C. Michigan Senator Philip A. Hart introduced legislation to turn the whole Sleeping Bear Dunes area, including Stocking’s land, into a National Lakeshore. It took over ten years of public outcry and wrangling for the new federal park to open and for inholders to receive payment for their land. Stocking didn’t receive his settlement of $3.5 million until September 2, 1976, the day before he died at age 68.
In 1984, the National Park Service reconstructed the Pierce Stocking Drive. Parts of Stocking’s road were closed due to drifting sand. The resulting 7.4 mile loop was paved for the first time. One of my favorite vistas is from the Dune Overlook. Not only is the view stunning, but the presence of the D.H. Day Farm on the land below seems to connect the two giants responsible for creating an area that we now all enjoy.
While I no longer attempt the slippery, sandy climb to the Lake Michigan Overlook, I found this picture from a 2013 blog post showing the amazing view from the steep dune.
Today, my photography comes from more accessible points, such as the North Bar Lake Overlook with scenic Platte Bay and Point Betsie in the distance.
One stop along the Pierce Stocking drive that holds many memories is the Glen Lake Overlook with Alligator Hill bisecting two Glens in the middle. In my younger days I’d cross-country ski long Alligator Hill, laughing out loud as I gained momentum, exhilarated by the feat. The trip down always ended with a meal at Joe’s Friendly Tavern in Empire, a place I frequent to this day.
In addition to the scenic drive, both Pierce Stocking and D.H. Day have roads named after them in the National Lakeshore. I find it interesting that the two roads intersect with each other. Perhaps it’s a metaphor for the intertwined legacy these two men left after creating one of most beautiful places in America.
This blog was inspired by the research I’m doing for one of my next Northwoods Mystery books. National Park Service Publications, especially Who Was Pierce Stocking?, and Reflections on 50 Years of Sleeping Bear by Kathleen Stocking in the Glen Arbor Sun informed my reading and writing.
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