Established in 1928 by Joseph E. Maddy, Interlochen Center for the Arts is located on a 1,200-acre (490 ha) campus in Green Lake Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan, immediately south of the eponymous community of Interlochen and about 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Traverse City.

[2][3] Beginning in the late 19th century, European settlers began logging and fishing industries in the area, and founded the small village of Wylie, one mile south of the present-day community of Interlochen.

[5] In 1927, Joseph Edgar Maddy incorporated the National High School Orchestra Camp, and began searching for ideal locations, eventually narrowing it down to sites in Maine and Michigan.

[6] Maddy chose the site, and, in 1928, the first season of the National High School Orchestra Camp convened.

Originally broadcasting eight hours per day, it grew enough within a decade to become a charter member of National Public Radio.

Interlochen bought contemporary Christian station WDQV in 2005 and converted it into a third satellite for the eastern portion of the market, WIAB.

[citation needed] In 2020, M-137, the highway connecting Interlochen Center for the Arts to US 31, was decommissioned by the Michigan Department of Transportation.