Beachwood-Bluffton in Muskegon in Muskegon County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Bluffton Actors' Colony / Buster Keaton
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2015
1. Bluffton Actors' Colony / Buster Keaton Marker
In 1908, Joe Keaton, actor Paul Lucier, and agent Lew Earl founded the Actors' Colony. By 1911 over two hundred theater personalities flocked to Bluffton each summer. They included Keaton, his wife, Myra and his son Joseph Frank, nicknamed "Buster," who were billed as "The Three Keatons." Pascoe's Place, a local tavern, became the unofficial club headquarters. By 1918, film began replacing vaudeville and the Actors' Colony declined.
Buster Keaton
"That he is an excruciatingly funny little chap will be granted to him by anyone who sees him." raved a 1903 New York Times review of Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton, child star of the popular vaudeville act "The Three Keatons." Known for his ability to keep a straight face in any situation. Buster Keaton (1895 - 1966) left the family act in 1917 to work in silent film. He is recognized, with Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd, as one of the creative geniuses of silent comedy.
Erected 1997 by Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S0657.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Muskegon Fishing Reef (approx. 0.7 miles away); Lakeside (approx. 2.2 miles away); Jean Baptiste Recollect Trading Post (approx. 2.3 miles away); Pinchtown (approx. 2.4 miles away); Union Depot (approx. 3.7 miles away); Hackley-Holt House (approx. 3.8 miles away); Hackley House (approx. 3.8 miles away); Hume House (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Muskegon.
Also see . . . Buster Keaton - Wikipedia. (Submitted on March 2, 2018, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2015
2. Bluffton Actors' Colony / Buster Keaton Marker
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2015
3. Bluffton Actors' Colony / Buster Keaton Marker
looking east along Lakeshore Dr.
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2015
4. Bluffton Actors' Colony / Buster Keaton Marker
looking west along Lakeshore Dr.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2018, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,174 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 28, 2018, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
