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Benzonia is located on the south shore of Crystal Lake in the heart of Benzie County. Benzonia is the birthplace of the famous Civil War and Michigan historian, Bruce Catton. There is historical plaque about him in front of the library. Benzonia has beautiful swimming beaches and several small shops to visit. Population: 449. Founded by Charles E. Bailey as the site of a proposed Christian college in 1858, while it was still a woodland wilderness. The Herring Creek post office was moved here in 1859. Incorporated as a village in 1891. The French called the local river Aux Bec Scies (bec-scie meaning sawbill, a species of duck, evidently abounding on the stream then), which the American sailors corrupted into the Betsie River, and that in turn was changed to Benzie when the county was organized in 1869. Informational excerpts from Michigan Place Names, by Walter Romig, L.H.D.
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