Grand Haven in Ottawa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Life Saving Service
Grand Haven has been an important base for life-saving on the Great Lakes. In the 1800s, vital transportation on the lakes was challenged by loss of life in storms and accidents. When Congress responded by forming the United States Life Saving Service in 1871, Grand Haven Station No. 9 was established to oversee the operations of 12 stations on Lake Michigan. Surfmen drilled in life-saving techniques at the station and responded to disasters offshore. In 1915 the U.S. Coast Guard was formed and continues its operations in Grand Haven to this day.
Lesson learned: "You Live Best in Your Life Vest — WEAR IT!"
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 43° 3.484′ N, 86° 14.833′ W. Marker is in Grand Haven, Michigan, in Ottawa County. Marker can be reached from South Harbor Drive, 0.4 miles west of Sherman Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located along the Grand River Boardwalk, beside the parking lot, just west of Lighthouse Connector Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 South Harbor Drive, Grand Haven MI 49417, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Boardwalk (approx. 0.3 miles away); Escanaba Memorial Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); In Memory of the Coast Guard Men and Women (approx. 0.3 miles away); Escanaba Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); To The Enlisted Men of the United States Coast Guard (approx. 0.4 miles away); Shipwrecks and the Coast Guard / The Escanaba (approx. 0.4 miles away); Coast Guard Cutters on the Great Lakes (approx. 0.4 miles away); Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Haven.
Also see . . . Grand Haven Life Saving Station. Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy website entry:
The original Grand Haven Chatham style station built in 1922 is still standing, although heavily modified from its original appearance. The old station, now in private hands without a historic preservation covenant in place, was able to be modified into whatever anybody wanted. The basic station style is still reminiscent in the new design following the old design. The four bay boathouse is also still in original condition which is nice to see, although it has not seen any maintenance in some time. (Submitted on July 27, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 26, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7. submitted on July 27, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.