In 1852, a United States government surveyor recorded field notes describing the area now known as Suttons Bay in this way: "The harbor, that 'puts in' past a rock point is bold to the shores and of anchorage." Harry C. Sutton came upon the same beautiful site two years later and, with his family, became the first white settlers and founder of Suttons Bay. He began supplying passing ships with cordwood cargo, the fuel supply for large vessels. By the 1870s, two- and three-mast schooners were common sights in the harbor as the timber business was in full swing. Eventually, passenger travel increased and steamers, schooners, tugs, and scows daily busied the five large piers that stretched out into the bay.
Today, Suttons Bay marina stays active with pleasure boats. This year round coastal village maintains its charming 19th century architecture and allows no fast-food chains, stoplights, or parking meters. Suttons Bay is graced with historic homes, shops, and churches; a parkland shoreline; galleries; antiques; bed and breakfast inns; and excellent restaurants. The town's resourcefulness offers business services, such as doctors, banks, a photo shop, insurance companies, a pharmacy, barber, and so on; all the necessities with a local, accessible appeal that keeps life simple. Suttons Bay also has an educational schooner, the Inland Seas, that docks in the harbor. For entertainment, the town highlights a movie theatre that specializes in quality first-run and foreign films. Nearby are wineries, golf, sport fishing, skiing, casino gaming, and national parks. Events throughout the year include a jazzfest, art festival, boat show and more. The village lies midway up the eastern shore of the Leelanau Peninsula and is a favorite place to "put in" and experience.
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