To the honor of A. Lincoln Post No. 19, Dept. Of Mich. Grand Army of the Republic whose 296 members fought from 1861 till 1865 to save the Union, and to A. Lincoln Woman’s Relief Corps No. 89, whose devoted services for forty years have helped . . . — — Map (db m150271) WM
This Pump Jack is typical of the many that were in operation in Bloomingdale in the late 30's and early 40's.
On August 13th, 1938, after several days of drilling on the Wiggins Farm, which borders the village on the north, the Fisher McCall . . . — — Map (db m69950) HM
(Side One)
Bloomingdale Oil Boom
This 90 ft, 1930's era oil derrick is typical of the many drilling rigs that occupied the landscapes around bloomingdale during the late 1930's.
It was originally located in Mt. Pleasant, . . . — — Map (db m69929) HM
(Center Monument)
Dedicated to
all Veterans, men
and women who have
served our country
in peace and war.
Their memories
will never die.
(Left Tablet)
In memory of the
VETERANS
of all wars.
Erected by . . . — — Map (db m69952) WM
(Side One)
Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad
On April 14, 1869, Kalamazoo businessmen filed articles of incorporation establishing the Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad Company. Final construction on the line was completed in . . . — — Map (db m69951) HM
This structure was the township's first commercial building and an integral part of Covert's development. In 1871 Packard and Sons Lumbering Company hired Will Frary to build a general store. Under George Michel's proprietorship from 1885 to 1915, . . . — — Map (db m69956) HM
The citizens of Covert
Township with solemn
pride and reverent
gratitude honor those
who gave their lives
to win World War II
1941 — 1945
William O. Bigoness Jr.
Walter J. Fitch
Edward H. Hecker
George E. Husek . . . — — Map (db m69958) WM
Constructed at the turn of the century, this building replaced the original 1870 township hall. A Georgian Revival brick and stone structure, it was dedicated on September 19, 1901. Besides township activities, the hall has been the setting for . . . — — Map (db m68410) HM
(Obverse Side)
Hamilton Grange Hall
Local farmers organized Hamilton Grange No. 355 in 1874 and built this hall the following year. Lacking a town center, area residents congregated at the hall, which hosted elections and . . . — — Map (db m68413) HM
This two and a half story brick building was constructed in 1884 as the county poorhouse and infirmary. Here lived the indigent and mentally retarded from Van Buren County. Able-bodied residents worked on the grounds and on the adjacent farm where . . . — — Map (db m44795) HM
Grape growing began in Lawton in 1868 when A.B. Jones planted 100 vines. By 1900 many eastern Van Buren County farmers converted their land to vineyards. In 1903 the Lawton Vineyard Company built a winery on this site, which William C. Houppert . . . — — Map (db m68432) HM
Dedicated in honor
of our men and
women who served
their country
Let none forget
they gave their all
and faltered not
when came the call — — Map (db m218154) WM
Dedicated in honor to the life of Charles R. Maxwell
Born in Lawton, MI April 8, 1927. Charlie was the youngest of four children of Tom and Isa Maxwell. He graduated from Lawton High School and received a baseball scholarship from . . . — — Map (db m68437) HM
Isaac Watts Willard
In 1838, Isaac Watts Willard (1803-1879) and partners Peter Gremps and Lyman Daniels surveyed and platted the village of Paw Paw. That same year, Gremps and Willard opened a mercantile and grist mill in the village. . . . — — Map (db m182883) HM
This building opened as the Paw Paw Public Library on June 26, 1920. Jackson architect Claire Allen designed the library, as well as the nearby county courthouse. Pennsylvania industrialist Andrew Carnegie donated $10,000 toward construction and . . . — — Map (db m68434) HM
(Obverse Side)
St. Mark's Church
St. Mark's parish, organized at the county courthouse on February 22, 1851, is Paw Paw's oldest Episcopal congregation. The Reverend Voltaire Spaulding conducted the first service in a vacant . . . — — Map (db m68435) HM
One of the three great east-west routes of pioneer days, the Territorial Road from Detroit to St. Joe tapped the rich lands of the second "tier" of counties. Approved in 1829, the road was not surveyed through Van Buren County until 1835. Although . . . — — Map (db m68436) HM
Van Buren County
Settlers attracted by lumbering came to this area in the 1830s. By the 1860s a mild climate, rich soil and easy access to the Chicago markets created a thriving fruit industry in Van Buren County. The county was one of . . . — — Map (db m59383) HM
Completed in 1898, this structure was built as a waterworks station for the village of Paw Paw. Water from artesian wells powered the plant, first by steam and after 1908 by hydro-electricity. In the 1920s the wells were capped, and the structure . . . — — Map (db m59387) HM
(Obverse Side)
This memorial is dedicated to the life of William Killefer Jr.
Born in Bloomingdale, MI, October 10, 1887 and moved to Paw Paw (1888). "Reindeer Bill" Killefer played catcher for Paw Paw HS state champions of . . . — — Map (db m68382) HM
This Italianate structure was once the home of the Paw Paw Fire Department, which was organized in 1868 and whose members served without pay or compensation. At the 100th anniversary celebration of the fire department, it was noted that, "over the . . . — — Map (db m217920) HM
Chartered in 1865, the First National Bank of Paw Paw served the local community for nearly 70 years. Originally located at 131 E. Michigan Avenue, the bank purchased the lots on which the present building stands in 1903. Tearing down two old frame . . . — — Map (db m217915) HM
After a great fire ravaged this section of the village on January 13, 1888, businessman George W. Longwell (1832-1919) purchased the two lots encompassing this block and constructed the present brick Italianate-style building. He and his brother, . . . — — Map (db m217921) HM
The architecture of the Pump House is unique with its exaggerated roofline and solitary chimney. Water was first pumped from local artesian wells or natural springs. In 1908, the pump was converted from steam to hydroelectric power.
The wells . . . — — Map (db m217923) HM
22 November 1976 A.D.
This block of stone set in the year of September 1875, by topographical engineers of the U.S. Lake Survey marks the precise position of Paw Paw on the map of the world, it being 42°, 13 minutes, one and 66-100 of a second . . . — — Map (db m217910) HM
Service Gun
presented to Van Buren County by
M. L. Decker and E. A. Wildey
This gun was in active service during the Civil War on the famous Mare Island off San Pablo Bay, California. — — Map (db m218110) HM
The clubhouse was dedicated in December 1913 to serve as an inspiration for members to "live in the upper realm of thought, feeling, and faculty." During the 19th century, women in America became prolific builders of vital community institutions. . . . — — Map (db m217912) HM
On Saturday, September 2, 1901, a vast crowd assembled to witness the laying of the cornerstone for the new courthouse. The courthouse was to be a fine example of American Neoclassical architecture. The architect was Claire Allen from Jackson, MI. . . . — — Map (db m217922) HM
Originally constructed as Van Buren County's first courthouse at a cost of about $2900, this two- story temple-style Greek Revival structure now serves as Paw Paw Village Hall. Featuring a gable roof, clapboard siding, front façade with a . . . — — Map (db m217918) HM
Farming played an important role in the city of South Haven's development, from multiple varieties of fruit to dairy products. The first peach orchard was planted in 1853 by Stephen B. Morehouse and in 1857, Aaron S. Dyckman cultivated the first . . . — — Map (db m204773) HM
Steamships offering passenger services were a popular choice for visitors going to South Haven from Chicago. From the late 1800s to the 1940s, ships such as the City of South Haven, the City of Kalamazoo and the . . . — — Map (db m204697) HM
Patriotism and community service has always been alive in South Haven, from supporting our soldiers to services provided by the Coast Guard, police officers, firefighters, and first responders.
Many public service organizations were created . . . — — Map (db m204654) HM WM
Stanley Johnston graduated from the Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) in 1920 with a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. He served as the superintendent of the South Haven Experiment Station from 1920 to 1968, where . . . — — Map (db m204717) HM
By: Chief Pokagon
"Our traditional account of South Haven given us by ki-os-ag (our forefathers) was held as sacred by them as Holy Writ by the white man. Long, long bi-bong (years) ago Ki-ji Man-i-to (the Great Spirit) who held dominion of . . . — — Map (db m119267) HM
The City of South Haven took a major step forward in providing utility services to residents in 1892 when a water pumping station was constructed on the lakeshore. In 1895, the City purchased its first electric generator. The original water pumping . . . — — Map (db m119261) HM
Industrial endeavors have been at the heart of South Haven's growth and prosperity since the first settlers arrived in the 1830s. Logging was the first industry introduced to the area. The first sawmill was built on the Black River in 1850, and . . . — — Map (db m204708) HM
South Haven became a bustling resort town in the late 19th century. Over time, vacationers arrived by steamship, train, horse and carriage, and car. Around 1900, there were 96 resorts reported in a published resort directory. Many resorts by the . . . — — Map (db m204772) HM
This plaque is issued by the
Historical Society of Michigan
in recognition of
City of South Haven
founded in 1869
for more than 150 years of
continuous operation in service
to the people of Michigan
and for . . . — — Map (db m204202) HM
In 1869, construction began on the Kalamazoo & South Haven Railroad, the first rail line intended for commercial and passenger use. The railroad was completed in 1870 with the purchase of bonds by the Michigan Central Railroad, which incorporated . . . — — Map (db m204776) HM
Commercial fishing was part of South Haven's diverse maritime economy from the 1860s until the 1970s. In 1932, Christopher Jensen, a Danish immigrant, opened a commercial fishery on the Black River near the Dyckman Avenue Bridge.
The Jensen . . . — — Map (db m119266) HM
South Haven emerged as a commercial shipping center in the 1850s. By the late nineteenth century, lumber, fruit, and other manufactured goods were transported between South Haven, Chicago, and other cities on steam vessels. Commercial shipping . . . — — Map (db m119257) HM
This structure, with Italianate style, stands proudly as one of South Haven's first residences. Braving the wilderness of the 1850's Uzziah Conger and his wife Wealthy Ann came to this site and erected this home, where they raised seven children. . . . — — Map (db m204535) HM
During the Korean War, Corporal Duane Edgar Dewey of the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines from South Haven, was the first person to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor from then President Eisenhower. He earned the nation’s highest award for heroism on . . . — — Map (db m61712) HM WM
When South Haven became an incorporated town in 1869, it was a tiny but prosperous village with a bustling economy. Lake Michigan provided robust fishing, lumbering, shipping and fruit industries and the downtown business district grew quickly. . . . — — Map (db m119254) HM
This is the birthplace and early home of Dr. Liberty Hyde Bailey, South Haven's most distinguished son.
As a very young man he became interested in plants and trees. This interest and knowledge constantly grew until he became the nation's . . . — — Map (db m59421) HM
Today, crossing the Black River is a far simpler task than in the past. Early travelers relied on ferryboats to transport them across the river until 1856, when a wooden drawbridge was constructed.
From 1889 until 1968, an iron swing bridge . . . — — Map (db m119255) HM
As the City of South Haven's population grew, and with the arrival of steamship and train passengers, a greater need for entertainment became realized. The popular pastime of the day was "bathing" - referred to as "swimming" today - in Lake . . . — — Map (db m119279) HM
(panel one)
In 1939, the Sturgeon Bay Boat Works built the Evelyn S for William Seliman Fisheries of Manistique, Michigan. A typical wooden gill net fish tug design prevalent during this period, the tug was sheathed in steel . . . — — Map (db m119292) HM
This property, known as the Bailey Home, was purchased from Liberty Bailey, father of Dr. Liberty Hyde Bailey, by Frank E. Warner in 1918. Mr. Warner made this his home until his death in 1926.
Mr. Warner was a pioneer fruit grower of this . . . — — Map (db m59420) HM
Located in Southwest Michigan's fruit belt, South Haven was a center for fruit growing, processing and shipping. Fruit grown in South Haven and surrounding communities from the 1870s to the 1920s was shipped on steamships and railroads to Chicago . . . — — Map (db m205019) HM
In 1906 the South Haven School District built this four-room school in Ward 2. The school, designed by Hussey and White of Lansing, was constructed at a cost of approximately $7,000. It was named for local businessman and school board president E.H. . . . — — Map (db m69992) HM
The Haven peach varieties were developed here by Michigan State University's South Haven Experiment Station, under the direction of Professor Stanley Johnston. From 1924 to 1963, eight yellow-fleshed freestone varieties were selected from more than . . . — — Map (db m182953) HM
In 1861, the first piers appeared on the north and south side of the entrance to the Black River. The channel between the piers was dredged to allow access to larger ships. In 1867, the piers were extended and the channel was widened which . . . — — Map (db m119260) HM
This school was built for Ward One of the South Haven School District in 1898. Constructed at a cost of nearly $5,000 by William Buck, the handsome two-story building was designed by Frank S. Allen. It later took its name from the street on which it . . . — — Map (db m69989) HM
The world-famous botanist and horticulturist, Liberty Hyde Bailey, was born in this frame house. Here in wilderness surroundings he learned of wild animals and plants and attended the local village school. He graduated from Michigan Agricultural . . . — — Map (db m59419) HM
The Lifesaving Station was a prominent landmark on South Haven's waterfront for more than a century before it was destroyed by fire in 1989. The U.S. Lifesaving Service (USLSS) built the lifesaving station in 1887 to ensure the safety of ships, . . . — — Map (db m119262) HM
Several Native American tribes, primarily the Ottawa, Miami, and Potowatomi, occupied the South Haven area before white settlement began in the 1830s. Members of these tribes spent their days hunting and foraging the forested land and fishing the . . . — — Map (db m204687) HM
South Haven's location on Lake Michigan and the Black River made it a center for the lumber trade. By the 1850s, logs cut in nearby forests were floated down the river to the sawmills built along the banks. Lumber production peaked in 1874, when . . . — — Map (db m204528) HM
The site at the northeast corner of Dyckman Avenue and Black River Street served as a railroad yard for the South Haven and Kalamazoo Railroad which became the Michigan Central in 1869. The original building burned and the current building . . . — — Map (db m204578) HM
For over a century, South Haven's beaches, fishing, and boating have attracted tourists. By 1880, steamship lines and railroads brought thousands of visitors from Chicago, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Resort hotels, guesthouses, cottages, and . . . — — Map (db m119280) HM
The resort industry thrived in the latter half of the 1800s and the first half of the 1900s. Visitors arrived from Chicago aboard steamships that sailed into South Haven harbor daily. The Dewey Hotel, the Avery Beach Hotel, the Newcomes, the . . . — — Map (db m119281) HM
The resort industry thrived in the latter half of the 1800s and the first half of the 1900s. Visitors arrived from Chicago aboard steamships that sailed into South Haven harbor daily. The Dewey Hotel, the Avery Beach Hotel, the Newcomes, the . . . — — Map (db m205002) HM
This federated women's club, founded as a reading circle in 1883 and named for Sir Walter Scott, merged with the Literary and Antiquarian Societies to build a clubhouse in 1892. John Cornelius Randall designed the sandstone Queen Anne structure, . . . — — Map (db m182977) HM
Between 1866 and 1902, more than 50 wooden ships were built at shipyards along the banks of the Black River. The construction of these ships was financed by the ship owners, local merchants, groups of shareholders, and small shipping companies. . . . — — Map (db m119268) HM
The first light was erected in 1872 at the end of a 225 foot wooden pier that had been in use since 1861. The square pyramid wooden structure consisted of two rooms mounted on a raised platform. The bottom room was for oil storage, the top room . . . — — Map (db m119263) HM
The United States of America
donated this Lighthouse to the
Historical Association of South Haven
for public, educational and
historic preservation uses through
the National Historic Lighthouse
Preservation Act
March 8, 2012 — — Map (db m160033) HM
Celebrations and festivals have a long history in South Haven, beginning as early as 1861 with a 4th of July celebratory parade. The tradition has continued for over one hundred and fifty years with homemade floats lining the streets, local bands . . . — — Map (db m204778) HM
This barn was generously donated to The Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum by Fred and Raphaella Amicarelli in 1996.
It was originally located in downtown South Haven on Broadway at School street, near the current location of the Amicarelli Vineyard . . . — — Map (db m205196) HM
The South Haven Lightkeeper's dwelling was built by the United States Lighthouse Service in 1871-1872, when South Haven's first lighthouse was constructed.
The dwelling was last occupied by a lightkeeper in 1940, when technical changes . . . — — Map (db m119258) HM
Dedicated by the
Michigan
State Horticultural Society
in honor of
Theodatus Timothy Lyon
whose foresight and generosity
made possible the South Haven
Experiment Station which has
now served the fruit growing
industry faithfully for . . . — — Map (db m205159) HM
South Haven became a village by Michigan Legislature in 1869. At that time, South Haven contained establishments such as a post office, schoolhouse, and hotel. Judge Jay R. Monroe is credited as the first white settler of the South Haven area, . . . — — Map (db m204686) HM
West Michigan Summer Resorts
After the American Civil War (1861-1865) a new wealthy class arose with the time and means to escape the grime of industrialized cities for the summer “Season.” In the 1870s the Little Traverse Bay region became . . . — — Map (db m182951) HM
A Hard Working Craft
In 1923 the Speddon Shipbuilding Company in Baltimore, Maryland, built this steel tugboat for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and transported it to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, for launching. The Corps . . . — — Map (db m205016) HM
