Waukazoo Woods in Holland in Ottawa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

REPLACED

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Waukazoo Woods

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 29, 2023

1. Waukazoo Woods Marker

Marker replaced after the original 40-year-old marker unexpectedly disappeared and sparked local controversy. It has been replaced with a similar marker nearby with different text.

Inscription. In 1833 an Ottawa Indian village of about 300 was located on Black Lake, now Lake Macatawa. The village was led by Chief Waukazoo, recognized by his followers as a prophet and by local settlers as an orator. The Ottawa adopted many of the customs of their white neighbors, such as dress and the use of oxen, carts, plows and axes. They built log buildings for storage, but preferred to live in their traditional wigwams. Many of these Indians were converted to Christianity. In 1839 the Protestants in the village established the “Old Wing Mission” southeast of here. The Catholics chose a site on the other side of Black Lake to build their church and consecrated a cemetery there in 1841. On June 1, 1849, the Waukazoo band moved to the Grand Traverse Bay area, founding the village of Waukazooville, which was annexed by Northport in 1852.

Erected 1985 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. Property of the State of Michigan. (Marker Number 1236.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1849.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.

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It was located near 42° 47.402′ N, 86° 9.43′ W. Marker was in Holland, Michigan, in Ottawa County. It was in Waukazoo Woods. It was at the intersection of Waukazoo Drive and Post Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Waukazoo Drive. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 186 Waukazoo Dr, Holland MI 49424, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in West Michigan,

specifically in Greater Grand Rapids,

and in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. It was also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it was in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Marigold Lodge (approx. 0.6 miles away); Central Park Chapel (approx. one mile away); Holland Shoe Factory (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Cappon House / Isaac Cappon (approx. 2 miles away); West Michigan Furniture Company Building (approx.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 29, 2023

2. Waukazoo Woods Marker

Waukazoo Drive is on the left.

2.1 miles away); Third Reformed Church (approx. 2.3 miles away); Hope Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Holland.

Also see . . . Residents criticize updated historical marker for 'whitewashing' Indigenous history. Text of replacement marker:

This 600-acre wooded peninsula on Lake Macatawa, also known as Black Lake. was named for Chief Wakazoo, a prominent Odawa leader who established a winter hunting village here around 1830. In 1835 Captain Edward Macy purchased the land and platted the village of Superior. Rather than face forced removal, Wakazoo adopted agrarian life and embraced the Protestantism of local missionary the Reverend George Smith. In 1839 Wakazoo negotiated a rare congressional approval to purchase more than 1,000 acres at the border of Ottawa and Allegan counties. He and the Rev. Smith founded the Old Wing Mission there that year. The influx of Dutch Immigrants and a smallpox epidemic soon led Wakazoo's band and the Rev. Smith to relocate to Leelanau County. In 1850 they founded Wakazooville, today's
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Northport.

(Submitted on September 20, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4,301 times since then and 749 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of replacement marker with a wide shot in context. • Can you help?