2011 Map of Empire

About this map

Empire stands as a central coastal hub in this 2011 survey of the Leelanau Peninsula shoreline. The village is flanked by the distinct waters of North Bar Lake and South Bar Lake, separated from the expansive Lake Michigan by narrow strips of dunes. The landscape is defined by massive glacial features, including the towering Empire Bluffs and Old Baldy Dune to the south, while the northern extent reaches toward The Sleeping Bear and Shauger Hill. Inland, the map reveals a grid of rural roads and residential enclaves like those near Taylor Lake and the southern edge of Glen Lake. Local genealogy and community infrastructure are well-documented through sites such as the Empire Catholic Cemetery, the Platte Cemetery near Otter Creek, and the Empire Post Office. The presence of the Empire Airport and Empire Township Campground highlights the area's modern role as a destination for recreation and small-craft aviation.