Around 1910, a Native American family stands proudly in front of their home in Slabtown, a small community near the bay in Traverse City, Michigan. Homes in Slabtown were distinctly made of lumber slabs from the local mills. These humble homes, built from scraps of the milling process, spoke to the ingenuity and strength of the inhabitants, who had learned to survive with scarce means. Slabtown was a tight-knit community where many Native American families kept a close tie to the land and their culture.
The family in the photograph epitomizes the everyday life of Slabtown's residents. Their houses, though rough-hewn, were well constructed and offered the family the shelter it needed. Slabtown was one of the few places in the region where Native Americans could establish a semblance of autonomy and community. In the early 20th century, as Traverse City burst through industrialization, and the lumber industry, Slabtown stood a test on the region's behalf, reminding all of its people that it had an indigenous root and a complex history as their Native American residency.
Slabtown was not free from problems; economic hardship and their impacts upon displacement. Yet, however, the family life and traditions brewed well in the community. The homes made of lumber slabs were not only houses but monuments of strength and survival, pointing to the capacity of the Native American families to preserve their identity and culture within changing times. This historical photo, preserved by the Traverse Area District Library, captures a critical moment for the family and its community, opening a window into their strength and indomitable spirit.
