Portage in Kalamazoo County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ramona Park
Portage: A Natural Place to Move
Photographed by Joel Seewald, March 4, 2026
1. Ramona Park Marker
Ramona Park was established in 1968 with the purchase of 65 acres from Therese Remine, who had inherited the property from Henry and Carrie Waruf.
The park was named after the title character of Helen Hunt Jackson's immensely popular novel Ramona, which was published in 1884.
Previous to the city's ownership, the land was used as storage for ice cut from the lake and packed in straw, then hauled to town by train throughout the summer. Ramona Park was also once home to the Ramona Palace, popular for music and dancing until the 1940's, and the Long Lake Sea Serpent of 1902, a prank meant to "liven things up" for the local residents.
Your Backyard is Bigger Than You Think
1,000 Acres. 18 Parks. One City.
Erected by Portage Parks & Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1968.
Location. 42° 11.501′ N, 85° 32.032′ W. Marker is in Portage, Michigan, in Kalamazoo County. It can be reached from no nearby street. The marker is at the end of the Ramona Park road at the sidewalk to the
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan. It is also in the American Midwest. 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gregory B. Jarvis and Roger B. Chaffee Memorial (approx. 2.8 miles away); For A Pal (approx. 2.8 miles away); Stuart Manor (approx. 2.9 miles away); Celery Flats Historical Area (approx. 2.9 miles away); District No. 8 Schoolhouse (approx. 2.9 miles away); Portage District No. 8 School (approx. 2.9 miles away); Hayloft Theatre (approx. 2.9 miles away); Portage Grain Elevator / Feed Mill (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portage.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, March 4, 2026
2. Ramona Park Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
