Brief History

DeTour Village was incorporated in 1899. The earliest residents of DeTour were Indians who established encampments here well before early European travelers passed this way. Some of the early European explorers included Father Marquette, Louis Joliet, Antoine De La Cadillac and Sieur De La Salle.

DeTour Township was organized on March 28th, 1850 under the name Warner Township until March 1899, when it was incorporated as the Village of DeTour. In the early 1800's and 1900's DeTour was a mill town. Commercial fishing was also a growing industry that still survives to this day.

In the mid 1980's DeTour Passage became the new home to a first rate marina built and operated by the Department of Natural Resources - it is the second largest in the state.

Pictured to the left - "The Hunter", owned by Fr. Theodore Bateski, used for tourist sightseeing and fishing trips! Father Bateski dedicated 50 years to the growth of DeTour and was known as the "The Fighting Priest of DeTour" for his many accomplishments for the area!