Near Douglas in Allegan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Pier Cove

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 6, 2014

1. Pier Cove Marker

Inscription. Surveyed in 1839, the village of Pier Cove was once hailed as "the busiest port between St. Joseph and Muskegon." Before the Civil War, Pier Cove was a bustling community and a major point for lumber distribution, with ships departing daily carrying tanbark and cordwood to Chicago and Milwaukee. With the exhaustion of the lumber supply in the late 1860s, the fire of 1871 and the coming of the railroad, the sawmill was moved to Fennville, and Pier Cove's prosperity diminished. In the 1880s, however, fruit became a major shipping commodity. This site once overlooked the warehouse and two piers that revived the village's economy. In 1899 a freeze killed much of the local harvest and shipping at Pier Cove was reduced to passenger traffic. Commercial activity ceased in 1917.

Erected 1989 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1628.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.

Location. 42° 35.156′ N, 86° 13.599′ W. Marker is near Douglas, Michigan, in Allegan County. It is on

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Lakeshore Drive south of 123rd Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Douglas MI 49406, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ganges Township Civil War Monument (approx. 0.9 miles away); Sarah M. Kirby House (approx. 4.1 miles away); The Old School House (approx. 4.2 miles away); Douglas Union School (approx. 4.2 miles away); Dutcher Lodge No. 193 / Douglas (approx. 4.2 miles away); Welcome to Historic Douglas (approx. 4.2 miles away); Dr. Asa Goodrich House (approx. 4.2 miles away); Francis Metallic Surfboat (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Douglas.

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 6, 2014

2. Pier Cove Marker

At stair entrance to Pier Cove Beach

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 6, 2014

3. Pier Cove Marker

View to south along Lakeshore Drive

Shore of Lake Michigan north of Pier Cove Creek image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 6, 2014

4. Shore of Lake Michigan north of Pier Cove Creek

Back Side of Pier Cove Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 6, 2014

5. Back Side of Pier Cove Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,354 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 7, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.