South Haven in Van Buren County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Algonquin Legends of South Haven
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 24, 2017
1. Algonquin Legends of South Haven Marker
"Our traditional account of South Haven given us by ki-os-ag (our forefathers) was held as sacred by them as Holy Writ by the white man. Long, long bi-bong (years) ago Ki-ji Man-i-to (the Great Spirit) who held dominion of Mi-shi-gan (Lake Michigan) and the surrounding country, selected Haw-was-naw a place at the o-don (mouth) of Maw-kaw-te (Black River) as his seat of government. His royal throne (Ki-tehi-wik) was located on the highest point of that neck of land lying between Maw-kaw-te River and Lake Michigan. This high point of land was called Ish-pem-inz, meaning a high place.
The tradition above given was handed down to us by a tribe of Au-nish-naw-be-og (Indians) that lived in Michigan before my people, the Pottawattomies. They were called Mash-ko-de (Prairie tribe), on account of their clearing up large tracts of woodland and living somewhat as farmers. They were said to be very peaceful, seldom going on the warpath. We had great reverence for their traditions, as we occupied the land of their principal odena (village) about Black River. We named it Nik-onong, which was derived from two Algonquin words "nik" (sunset) and o-nigis (beautiful).
Nik-a-nong, in its day, was quite a manufacturing town. Large quantities of white birch bark were brought there by canoe loads
this page online
Erected by John L. Marple & Michigan Maritime Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Native Americans.
Location. 42° 24.345′ N, 86° 16.607′ W. Marker is in South Haven, Michigan, in Van Buren County. Marker is on Black River Street, 0.1 miles south of Dyckman Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located on the Harbor Walk, beside the sidewalk, across Black River Street from All Seasons Marine and the South Haven Maritime Docks. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 234 Black River Street, South Haven MI 49090, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Peach of a Man (within shouting distance of this marker); A Farming Heritage (within shouting distance of this marker); Strike Up the Band!
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 24, 2017
2. Algonquin Legends of South Haven Marker (wide view)
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 . . .
1. From Nik-o-nog to South Haven. Kal-Haven Heritage Trail Site List entry (Submitted on January 2, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Chief Simon Pokagon. In the later part of the Nineteenth Century when the spiritual vibrations for human rights were beginning to encircle the planet, there arose in the Potawatomi Nation a literary genius named Simon Pokagon. He was the Chief of the Potawatomis of southwestern Michigan. During his lifetime he became known as the best-educated full-blooded
via Kal-Haven Heritage Trail Site List, Unknown
3. Simon Pokagon.
Image Credit: Benjamin Flowers, The Arena . Vol. XVI, 1896
via City of South Haven, Unknown
4. South Haven Harbor Walk
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 395 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on January 2, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
