Outdoorsy living by Little Bay de Noc in Gladstone
Located on Little Bay de Noc, Gladstone began in the late 1800s as a hub for lumber and railroads. Today the city blends historic charm with a lively, walkable downtown where family-run businesses and easy waterfront access draw both residents and visitors. Community life centers around fishing and boating during the warm months, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing during the winter. Gladstone's still-active railroad provides freight transport, and new businesses breathe fresh energy into the city's present. Located near the larger city of Escanaba, Gladstone is beginning to gain recognition for its unique appeal. "I would describe it as a small town but up and coming," says Jacob Hansen, an associate broker with Premier Real Estate Inc. who specializes in the area. "It's trying to develop an active tourist scene and trending that way."
Homes with views of the bay and acres for hobby farming
Housing includes everything from turn-of-the-20th-century homes to early 2000s-era properties. Ranch styles, split levels, cottages, bungalows and custom builds have a foothold here. Older houses often have detached garages or alley parking and typically offer one or one-and-a-half bathrooms. Properties closer to town are on grid-style streets; farther out, some countryside homes provide enough acreage for hobby farms. Modest properties and fixer-uppers start from $35,000 and $155,000. As conditions increase, lot sizes get larger or home locations become more desirable, the range rises to $155,000 to $370,000. Closer to shore fetches the highest range from $400,000 up to $510,000.
Seasonal recreation, from boating to cross-country skiing
Little Bay de Noc is a natural gateway to Lake Michigan, inviting boaters, anglers and paddlers to venture out into open waters. Just beyond the iconic Gladstone Lighthouse, Van Cleve Park & Gladstone Beach offer a marina, fishing pier, boat ramps and a spot to lounge on the sand and swim. Van Cleve Park also boasts Kids Kingdom, a 1,400 square foot wooden play structure and a skate park. Nearby, the Gladstone Yacht Club has offered a relaxed spot for members to socialize since 1938. Locals can take a staycation at Gladstone Bay Campground. Everything from sledding to baseball, pickleball and disc golf happens at John & Melissa Besse Sports Park. The park also maintains a playground and a cross-country ski trail. Days River Nature Trail, another spot for winter sport, is over a mile from the Gladstone Golf Club, a public championship golf course.
Gladstone Area Schools and educational opportunities
Students attend the small Gladstone Area Schools district. W.C. Cameron Elementary serves kindergarten through second grade and holds a B rating on Niche. James T. Jones Elementary covers third through fifth grade, earning a B-minus rating. Gladstone Area Middle School gets the same rating and Gladstone High School scores a B. The district oversees the local library which offers extracurricular programs like story time and a summer reading program. Bay College, a public community college, is around 7 miles away in Escanaba.
Downtown's new social district and businesses
Downtown Gladstone is seeing renewed energy thanks to the 2025 introduction of a social district along Delta Avenue where residents can enjoy outdoor drinks in designated areas. Grants have helped refresh storefronts. New businesses such as Sip 906 Nutrition join longstanding favorites such as Dewdrop Family Restaurant and Main Street Pizza. Freshwater Tavern offers lakeside dining nearby. Pat's Foods IGA is in town for groceries. Retailers include Family Dollar and some local spots including Trotter's Floral Touch. Escanaba offers more options a short drive away.
The city is known for its Fourth of July event
Gladstone hosts a summer concert series from June to August at Van Cleve Park. The city is also known for its annual Fourth of July celebration. "It's pretty massive with a parade well over a mile long. And then all day long until the evening fireworks, the whole park [Van Cleve Park] and Lakeshore Drive are basically shut down for events," Hansen says.
Getting around Gladstone and beyond
Highways 2 and 41 intersect in town, connecting Gladstone to the broader area. Delta Area Transit Authority provides regional transit through fixed and on-demand routes.
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Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
