Ottawa Beach near Holland in Ottawa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Holland Harbor Lighthouse / Holland Harbor
Holland Harbor Lighthouse
The first lighthouse built at this location was a small, square wooden structure erected in 1872. In 1880 the lighthouse service installed a new light atop a metal pole in a protective cage. The oil lantern was lowered by pulleys for service. At the turn of the century a steel tower was built for the light, and in 1907 the present structure was erected. Named the Holland Harbor South Pierhead Lighthouse, it has a gabled roof that reflects the Dutch influence in the area. The lighthouse, popularly referred to as "Big Red," was automated in 1932. When the U. S. Coast Guard recommended that it be abandoned in 1970, citizens circulated petitions to rescue it. The Holland Harbor Lighthouse Historical Commission was then organized to preserve and restore this landmark.
Holland Harbor
When seeking a location for his Netherlands emigrant followers in 1847, the Reverend A. C. Van Raalte was attracted by the potential of using Black Lake (Lake Macatawa) as a harbor. However, the lake's outlet to Lake Michigan was blocked by sandbars and silt. Van Raalte appealed to Congress for help. The channel was surveyed in 1849, but was not successfully opened due to inadequate appropriations. Frustrated, the Dutch settlers dug the channel themselves. On July 1, 1859, the small steamboat Huron put into port. Here, in 1886, the government established the harbor's first lifesaving station. By 1899 the channel had been relocated and harbor work completed. This spurred business and resort expansion. In 1900 over 1,095 schooners, steamers and barges used the harbor.
Erected 1987 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L394.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses, and the Michigan Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1855.
Location. 42° 46.405′ N, 86° 12.717′ W. Marker is near Holland, Michigan, in Ottawa County. It is in Ottawa Beach. Marker can be reached from Ottawa Beach Road, half a mile west of Black Lake Avenue. Marker is located in Holland State Park, the lighthouse is across the inlet from the marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2215 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland MI 49424, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Holland Harbor / Holland Harbor Lighthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Pump House (approx. half a mile away); Ottawa Beach (approx. 0.6 miles away); Central Park Chapel (approx. 2.7 miles away); Marigold Lodge (approx. 2.9 miles away); Waukazoo Woods (approx. 3 miles away); Laketown Township Hall (approx. 4.2 miles away); Graafschap Christian Reformed Church (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Holland.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. An identical marker on the south side of the harbor at the Holland Harbor Lighthouse.
Also see . . . Holland Harbor Lighthouse. Lighthouse Friends website entry (Submitted on March 26, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 902 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 25, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on August 5, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on September 18, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. 4. submitted on August 16, 2013, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 5. submitted on April 25, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 6, 7. submitted on August 5, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 8. submitted on April 25, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.