Algonac in St. Clair County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Water Speed Capital

Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 22, 2018

1. Water Speed Capital Marker

Inscription. For more than a century, Algonac has played a leading role in ship building, from sailing cargo ships to large pleasure craft, racing boats and World War II landing craft. Between 1921 and 1932 Christopher Smith and Gar Wood built ten Miss Americas in Algonac. Smith and Wood worked together on the first; however, Wood was responsible for the rest. The Miss Americas held the Harmsworth trophy, symbol of the world's water speed supremacy, from 1921 to 1933. In 1932 Wood's Miss America X raced over a measured mile to establish the world's water speed record at 124.91 miles per hour. During the 1930s Smith adopted the name Chris Craft Corporation. The firm became one of the world's largest builders of power pleasure boats. Headquartered in Algonac for many years, it had other manufacturing plants in Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, Florida and Italy.

Erected 1981 by Algonac Boating and Historical Museum, Inc. and Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number S537.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Sports • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location.

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42° 37.008′ N, 82° 31.919′ W. Marker is in Algonac, Michigan, in St. Clair County. Marker is on St. Clair River Drive (State Highway 29) north of Columbia Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in Algonac Riverfront Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1396 St Clair River Drive, Algonac MI 48001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Christopher Columbus Smith / Garfield A. "Gar" Wood (a few steps from this marker); Saint Andrew's Parish / Saint Andrew's Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clay Township Library (approx. ¼ mile away); Algonac Civil War / Vietnam Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); St. Clair River Habitat Restoration (approx. 1.3 miles away); Stewart Farm / Memoir of Aura Stewart (approx. 2.1 miles away); Harsen House (approx. 2.3 miles away); a different marker also named St. Clair River Habitat Restoration (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Algonac.

Also see . . .
1. Gar Wood History. Gar Wood Boats website entry (Submitted on March 2, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Chris-Craft Boats. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on September 26, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

3. Harmsworth Cup. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on September 26, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 22, 2018

2. Water Speed Capital Marker

Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 22, 2018

3. Water Speed Capital Marker

Front of nearby statue. Text on plaque: Spirit of Algonac
Dedicated
September 3, 1989
Sculptor
Alexander Buchan

Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 22, 2018

4. Water Speed Capital Marker

Back of nearby statue. Text around the base: Gold Cup Ferry Chis Craft Gar Wood Harmsworth Parsons Canoe Tashmoo

Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 361 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 26, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.