1983 Map of Empire

About this map

Empire stands as the central hub of this coastal survey, situated where the high bluffs of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore meet the waters of Lake Michigan. The landscape is defined by the unique hydrology of the Leelanau Peninsula, where bodies of water like North Bar Lake and South Bar Lake are separated from the Great Lake by narrow strips of sand. To the north, the winding Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive navigates the elevation changes of Shauger Hill, while the Maple Grove Cem provides a point of genealogical interest for local families. The presence of the Radar Station and the Empire Airport 300 Runways suggests the village's strategic and logistical role during the late twentieth century, even as much of the surrounding terrain is preserved within the Pere Marquette State Forest.