Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Let’s take a moment to imagine Harbor Springs without second homes and second-home owners.
No grand turn-of-the-century cottages. No yachts in the bay. No Irish’s, no Walstrom’s, no ferry. No bustling art fairs, no car shows, no boutique-lined streets. Just a quiet village on the edge of a great lake—surrounded by woods, sustained by a small group of full-time residents who staff City Hall, teach our kids, respond to emergencies, and keep the lights on.
Sounds peaceful. Sounds humble. Sounds… a little perfect.
And apparently, at least 50 residents like that idea.
But here’s the truth—one we don’t always say out loud: without our non-homesteaded property owners, Harbor Springs simply wouldn’t be what it is today.
Think about it. Would the Lyric Theatre exist without their donations? The boardwalk? The skate park? The new playground at the beach? What about chamber events, beautification projects, harborfront concerts, or the Fourth of July fireworks? Would downtown still bustle—or would it resemble so many other small towns that once had a spark, but lost it to time and shrinking tax bases?
This isn’t to discount our year-round residents. They shovel the snow, run the town meetings, sit on boards and commissions, coach the school teams, and hold things together when the sun disappears for five months. But the truth is, our ability to thrive—not just survive—comes from a unique partnership. A partnership that includes seasonal homeowners who:
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Pay higher property taxes while using fewer public services.
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Fund amenities that locals enjoy year-round.
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Spend generously at our shops, restaurants, and galleries.
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And, most importantly, care deeply about this place—even if they leave before the first snowfall.
Many of these families have been coming for generations. Their kids learned to sail beside ours. Their memories are tied to the same sunsets, the same piers, the same traditions. So when we talk about who should help shape the future of Harbor Springs, let’s be thoughtful. Voting and governance must follow residency laws, yes. But respect does not require a mailbox on Main Street.
When we downplay their role—or suggest their voices don’t belong—we risk forgetting that many of the things we cherish exist because someone who didn’t have to give back, did. The next time you stroll the boardwalk, take your grandkids to a park, or catch a movie at the Lyric, ask yourself: would this exist without those summer families?
We can protect what’s special about Harbor Springs—without pretending we did it all by ourselves.
With respect and gratitude,
Ashley O’Reilly