A PEEK AT THE PAST
Pointe aux Barques
by Leonard DeFrain

Pointe aux Barques was organized in 1903. The township was named by the French many years ago because of the large rock jutting into Lake Huron at this point, which was shaped like the fore part of the point of a ship. It is famous as a summer resort with a fine beach and picturesque shoreline.

Michigan’s own poet, Edgar Guest, had his cottage here and spent many summers in Huron County. One of his greatest pleasures was to take the local children to a circus or celebration. They were “honored guests,” of Mr. Guest.

French sailors gave Pointe aux Barques its name in 1760. Because of the ragged rock along the shoreline of Lake Huron, it had the looks of moored boats.

The settlement was given a post office on June 12, 1897, with George T. Miller as its first postmaster. It operated until June 20, 1957. There were many places along the lakes and river that started out with “Point,” with a total of 11. Many Michigan towns or settlements were given French or Indian names. The French did a lot of surveying in the early days and there were many Indian tribes or settlements.