Manistee is referred to as "The Victorian Port City" due to its elegant downtown section of well-preserved, turn-of- the-century buildings. This, combined with a recently developed boardwalk along the waterfront makes visiting this city a memorable experience. For those into architecture, the buildings and the drawbridge are sure to get your attention. And for those who like shopping, be prepared to stay for awhile to experience the many unique gift, craft and specialty stores tucked neatly together along the winding downtown streets. And don’t forget Lake Michigan - complete with pier head, catwalk and lighthouse! Manistee was first settled in 1841 when John Joseph and Adam Stronach built a sawmill there. The area steadily grew until in 1859 it incorporated into a city. In 1871, a fire wiped out the town, but the people were quick to rebuild it. In 1881, Charles Rietz reinvested in the area after he successfully drilled for salt. Today, Manistee’s economy continues to grow, with the main emphasis being tourism. The surrounding township is also a popular retirement area with a significant real estate market.