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Greilikville - Elmwood Township Population: 2000() 1990() Change()
Elmwood Township is located in the southeast corner of Leelanau County. Its largest community, Greilikville, borders Traverse City. This is a highly developed tourist and residential area that has grown because of its scenic location on West Grand Traverse Bay. The shoreline contains several marinas, beaches and residential subdivisions. Many sailboats can be seen in the summertime, including some classical sailing ships that are offered to the public for cruises. The area also has many stores, shops and fine restaurants.
This area was first settled by Godfrey Greilick, an Austrian immigrant who moved here with his family in 1856. He and his sons built and operated several sawmills in the area at the height of the lumber boom. The Manistee & Northwestern Railroad came through here in 1893 and built a station, officially naming it Greilickville. A few miles away, the Elmwood Manufacturing Company built a sawmill in 1890, from which the township eventually received its name. |