South Haven in Van Buren County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Birth of City Utilities
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 24, 2017
1. Birth of City Utilities Marker
Inscription.
Birth of City Utilities. . The City of South Haven took a major step forward in providing utility services to residents in 1892 when a water pumping station was constructed on the lakeshore. In 1895, the City purchased its first electric generator. The original water pumping station was replaced in 1927, enlarged in the 1940s and 1960s, and replaced again, in its entirety with the present treatment plant in 2011. The last electric generation plant, torn down in 1978, stood at the present water treatment plant location. The water treatment process begins at the end of an intake pipe, one mile off shore. The water is pumped into the plant and treated before it is sent out to various storage facilities throughout the distribution system.
The City of South Haven took a major step forward in providing utility services to residents in 1892 when a water pumping station was constructed on the lakeshore. In 1895, the City purchased its first electric generator. The original water pumping station was replaced in 1927, enlarged in the 1940s and 1960s, and replaced again, in its entirety with the present treatment plant in 2011.
The last electric generation plant, torn down in 1978, stood at the present water treatment plant location.
The water treatment process begins at the end of an intake pipe, one mile off shore. The water is pumped into the plant and treated before it is sent out to various storage facilities throughout the distribution system.
Erected by Board of Public Utilities & Michigan Maritime Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location. 42° 24.115′ N, 86° 16.978′ W. Marker is in South Haven, Michigan, in Van Buren County. Marker can be reached from Water Street, 0.1 miles west of St. Joseph Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located on the South Haven Harbor Walk, east of South Beach Park, and directly across Water Street from
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the old public utilities building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 Water Street, South Haven MI 49090, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. Marker is a large composite plaque, mounted horizontally on waist-high posts. Marker is part of South Haven's Harbor Walk series.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. South Haven Harbor Walk
Also see . . . South Haven Harbor Walk. This South Haven Harbor Walk map shows the location of this and other historical markers in South Haven. (Submitted on June 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Marker detail: City Power Plant Burned Coal
South Haven's power plant was once located next to the current filtration plant. Loads of coal were delivered to the coal-burning plant via rail and water. The power plant was torn down in 1978 and presently, the City purchases its electric needs from major suppliers in Michigan and elsewhere.
3. Marker detail: City Waterworks Enlarged to Meet Demand
The original 1892 waterworks plant was enlarged in 1895. A larger facility was needed to accommodate South Haven's growing demand for water.
July 24, 2017
4. Marker detail: Clean Water for South Haven
This woman ran experiments inside the waterworks plant during the early 1900s. Water quality is constantly monitored today.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 24, 2017
5. Birth of City Utilities Marker (wide view; old public utilities building in background)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 182 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.