Ludington in Mason County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
S.S. Badger / Ludington Car Ferries
Registered Michigan Historic Site
S.S. Badger
S.S. Badger is one of fourteen ships that served in the Ludington railroad car ferry fleet. Badger and its sister ship S.S. Spartan, were built in 1952 by the Christy Corporation of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad (C & O). Named for the athletic teams of the University of Wisconsin and Michigan State University, the boats were a vital commercial link between the two states. The ferries joined the fleet begun in 1897 by the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad. Car ferry traffic peaked in the 1950s, then declined steadily. In 1983 the C & O sold off the last of its fleet, including Badger and Spartan. Badger, newly renovated in 1992, resumed automobile, truck freight and passenger service between Ludington and Manitowoc.
Ludington Car Ferries
Beginning in 1875, the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad shuttled produce, passengers and freight in wooden steamers between Ludington and ports in Wisconsin. In 1892 railroad car ferry service began on the lakes, eliminating the need to unload and load the cars before and after crossing the lake. Five years later, the Pere Marquette, the first steel railroad car ferry on the Great Lakes, sailed from Ludington. The Pere Marquette could carry thirty fully loaded freight
Erected 1997 by Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S0656.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1952.
Location. 43° 56.952′ N, 86° 27.026′ W. Marker is in Ludington, Michigan, in Mason County. Marker is adjacent to the S.S. Badger offices, located at the south end of James Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 Maritime Drive, Ludington MI 49431, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Swedish Lutheran Church (approx. half a mile away); World War I Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Mason County / Mason County Courthouse (approx. half a mile away); Mason County Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); "Sport Fishing" (approx. 0.6 miles away); "The Abbie" (approx. 0.6 miles away); S.S. Pere Marquette 18 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Armistice Day Storm (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ludington.
Also see . . .
1. History of the S.S. Badger. Ship website homepage (Submitted on August 28, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Lake Michigan Carferries. Classic Trains Magazine website entry (Submitted on August 28, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. "The Golden Link" C&O Carferry Promotional Film (1950s). YiuTube video (15m 4s) (Submitted on October 2, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Additional keywords. S.S. Badger / Ludington Car Ferries
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 630 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on August 28, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 10. submitted on October 2, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 11, 12. submitted on October 3, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 13. submitted on August 28, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.