Waukazoo Woods in Holland in Ottawa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Waukazoo Woods
Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 29, 2023
1. Waukazoo Woods Marker
It marks Michigan Local Historic Site No. 1236
Inscription.
Waukazoo Woods. . 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.
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.)
86° 9.43′ W. Marker is in Holland, Michigan, in Ottawa County. It is in Waukazoo Woods. It is at the intersection of Waukazoo Drive and Post Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Waukazoo Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 186 Waukazoo Dr, Holland MI 49424, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West Michigan, specifically in Greater Grand Rapids, and in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4,139 times since then and 587 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
