Earlier this year, we were pleased to feature The City on Three Lakes, a new book and historical research project spearheaded by the Charlevoix Historical Society. Read all about it here! We were curious: how is a book like this made? What is involved in the preservation, research, and publication of local history? Thank you to Jen Wahi, president and publisher of Mission Point Press, for authoring this article and shedding light on some of these questions. We hope it will inspire historical societies across the Great Lakes Region that may be interested in similar projects.
We have included links to further reading, as well. We are fortunate to have so many talented historians dedicated to preserving our shared Great Lakes history.
From Archives to the Printed Page: Bringing The City on Three Lakes to Life
by Jen Wahi, President and Publisher of Mission Point Press.
Some books are published. Others are built through years of research, collaboration, and a shared commitment to preserving a story that matters. The City on Three Lakes: A Maritime History of Charlevoix & the Surrounding Region is one of those books.
When Mission Point Press began working with the Charlevoix Historical Society, we knew immediately that this would be far more than a typical book production. At nearly 700 pages, with more than 875 historic photographs, maps, documents, and other images, the project was an extraordinary undertaking.
The vision belonged to the Charlevoix Historical Society: to create a lasting visual and written history of Charlevoix and its relationship with the three lakes that have shaped the community—Lake Michigan, Lake Charlevoix, and Round Lake.
Bringing that vision to the printed page became a true collaboration between the Historical Society and Mission Point Press.
The Historical Society brought years of research, writing, archival materials, historical knowledge, and an extraordinary collection of images to the project. Mission Point Press served as publisher and production partner, helping organize and shape that wealth of material into a cohesive, professionally produced book.
Based on the Charlevoix Historical Society’s original book layout and design of over 850 images, our team coordinated project management, editing, proofreading, indexing, typography and cover design, production, prepress, printing, fulfillment, marketing, and publicity. Throughout the process, we worked closely with the Historical Society, authors, contributors, editors, designers, indexers, and production specialists.
The physical book itself presented unique challenges. At 12 by 9.75 inches in a landscape format, The City on Three Lakes was designed to give its remarkable collection of historical images room to breathe. Every spread required careful attention to the relationship between photographs, captions, historical narrative, and page design. Even a seemingly small change could ripple through multiple sections of the book, making precision and communication essential.
Details were checked and rechecked. Images were reviewed for reproduction quality. Pages were refined. An extensive index was created. Printing specifications were developed for a book intended not simply to be read, but to be kept.
One of the greatest production challenges came when it was time to find the right printer. Because of the book’s size, weight, and specialized binding requirements, we needed a printer in the United States capable of handling both printing and binding at the same facility. A finished copy weighs approximately 10 pounds, so moving the books between separate printing and binding facilities would have added significant expense and increased the risk of damage.
After an extensive search, we found the right partner in Puritan Capital in Massachusetts, which could manage the printing and binding under one roof.
Members of the Mission Point Press team traveled to Massachusetts for the press check, reviewing sheets as they came off the press to make certain the photographs, colors, and details reproduced as intended. The finished book was manufactured as a substantial sewn case hardcover and incorporates special production elements, including vellum tip-ins, that reinforce its archival quality.
Then came another enormous undertaking: fulfillment. The commercial press run consisted of 750 copies, which were prepared for distribution as the book made its way to readers, supporters, and members of the community. Additional hors de commerce copies were set aside for noncommercial purposes, including display and review copies, local libraries, and courtesy copies for pledged contributors.
When The City on Three Lakes officially launched in Charlevoix in August 2026, what sat on the table was much more than a beautiful book. It represented years of historical research and preservation combined with months of intensive editorial, design, production, marketing, and publicity work.
“What made this project so special was the collaboration. The Charlevoix Historical Society had spent years gathering the history, research, photographs, and stories that made this book possible. Our job at Mission Point Press was to listen to their vision and bring the publishing, editorial, design, and production expertise needed to help turn that incredible body of work into a book that could last for generations. When you finally hold a book like this in your hands, you realize it represents thousands of decisions made by many people who all cared deeply about getting it right.”
— Jen Wahi, President and Publisher, Mission Point Press
Publishing is often invisible when it is done well. Readers see the finished pages, but behind them are countless conversations, corrections, adjustments, creative decisions, and people committed to getting every detail right.
The City on Three Lakes preserves an extraordinary piece of Northern Michigan history. For both the Charlevoix Historical Society and Mission Point Press, the finished book is a testament to what can happen when historical stewardship and professional bookmaking come together around a shared vision.
Further Reading
Read our previous feature on The City on Three Lakes, including a book blurb, author bios, a podcast episode, and links to the Charlevoix Historical society!
Clements Library
Thank you to the Clements Library for point us to these additional resources related to The City on Three Lakes.
The book heavily features pieces from the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, housed at the Clements Library.
Sierra Laddusaw and Mary Pedley, two Clements Library Curators, wrote a chapter for the book based on their research of maps and atlases. You can explore their work here!