South Haven in Van Buren County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Entertainment Around the Harbor
As the City of South Haven's population grew, and with the arrival of steamship and train passengers, a greater need for entertainment became realized. The popular pastime of the day was "bathing" - referred to as "swimming" today - in Lake Michigan. Many activities centered around the water such as fishing from the pier, sun bathing on the beaches, sliding down big slides into the lake, and taking excursions on the river launches.
Erected by Don & Carol Hodgman and Michigan Maritime Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 42° 24.228′ N, 86° 16.726′ W. Marker is in South Haven, Michigan, in Van Buren County. Marker is on Black River Street, 0.3 miles south of Dyckman Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located on the Harbor Walk, on the north side of Black River, beside the sidewalk, overlooking the South Haven Municipal Marina. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 150 Black River St, 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. Shipbuilding (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Commercial Shipping (about 500 feet away); Downtown's Rich History (about 800 feet away); Lumber Industry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Algonquin Legends of South Haven (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Lightkeeper's Dwelling (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Peach of a Man (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Farming Heritage (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South Haven.
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.
Regarding Entertainment Around the Harbor.
Advantages of South Haven, as well given in an address of J. E. Bidwell, (Feb 1873).
"South Haven is also the terminus of the Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad, connecting a few miles out at Grand Junction, with the Michigan Lake Shore Railroad, and at Kalamazoo, forty miles distant, with the Michigan Central and other important lines of railway, pointing in every direction. South Haven is also connected by steamer and vessel with Chicago, sixty-eight miles distant, southwest, and Milwaukee, ninety miles across the lake, northwest, connecting with steamers for Detroit, Cleveland, and Buffalo eastward."
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. South Haven Harbor Walk
Also see . . .
1. Stereopticon. Wikipedia entry:
Americans William and Frederick Langenheim introduced stereopticon slide technology—slide shows of projected images on glass—in 1850. For a usual fee of ten cents, people could view realistic images of nature, history, and science themes. The two lenses are used to dissolve between images when projected. At first, the shows used random images, but over time, lanternists began to place the slides in logical order, creating a narrative. This "visual storytelling" with technology directly preceded the development of the first moving pictures. (Submitted on June 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Welcome to South Haven. Website homepage:
A 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.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on July 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.