Grand Haven in Ottawa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Grand Haven
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2015
1. Grand Haven Marker
west side of two sided marker
Inscription.
Grand Haven. . This town began as a trading post established by Rix Robinson in the 1820s. Robinson, an agent for the American Fur Company, used this as one of his leading western Michigan posts. The Reverend William M. Ferry came here in 1834 from Mackinac to work with Robinson in developing a town. The Grand Haven Company was formed, and lots were platted and sold. By 1837 the town had more than two hundred inhabitants. A heavy influx of settlers in the 1840s caused the decline of the fur trade. Lumbering soon became the leading activity, and by the 1870s there were several saw mills, a shingle mill, and a sash and door factory in the community of 6,000. Grand Haven became a popular health resort in the late 1800s, famous for its Magnetic Mineral Spring.
This town began as a trading post established by Rix Robinson in the 1820s. Robinson, an agent for the American Fur Company, used this as one of his leading western Michigan posts. The Reverend William M. Ferry came here in 1834 from Mackinac to work with Robinson in developing a town. The Grand Haven Company was formed, and lots were platted and sold. By 1837 the town had more than two hundred inhabitants. A heavy influx of settlers in the 1840s caused the decline of the fur trade. Lumbering soon became the leading activity, and by the 1870s there were several saw mills, a shingle mill, and a sash and door factory in the community of 6,000. Grand Haven became a popular health resort in the late 1800s, famous for its Magnetic Mineral Spring.
Erected 1968 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number S0289.)
Location. 43° 4.377′ N, 86° 13.075′ W. Marker is in Grand Haven, Michigan, in Ottawa County. Marker is on Harbor Island Drive, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located in Rix Robinson Park. Touch for map.
Click or scan to see this page online
Marker is at or near this postal address: 4 Harbor Island Drive, Grand Haven MI 49417, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2015
2. Grand Haven Marker
East side of two sided marker
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2015
3. Grand Haven Marker
Marker along bike path in Rix Robinson Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2015, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 325 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 28, 2015, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.