Historical Markers and War Memorials in Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Haven is the county seat for Ottawa County
Grand Haven is in Ottawa County
Ottawa County(83) ► ADJACENT TO OTTAWA COUNTY Allegan County(53) ► Kent County(115) ► Muskegon County(21) ► Milwaukee County, Wisconsin(536) ► Racine County, Wisconsin(42) ►
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On Washington Avenue just east of South 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east.
Since its construction in 1871 by lumber baron H.C. Akeley, this building was home to Watson's Dry Goods, George McBride's law offices and John Danhof's real estate and insurance business. Corneil Addison started his dry goods, carpet and . . . — — Map (db m152887) HM
Near Washington Avenue east of North 4th Street, on the left when traveling east.
This pleasant block served as Grand Haven's first municipal cemetery. In 1874 a burgeoning population prompted the City Council to open a new cemetery at Lake Forest and to order the removal of all bodies from this site. With the help of the Woman's . . . — — Map (db m153597) HM
On S. 6th Street, on the right when traveling north.
The first Central School was built in 1871. The Grand Haven Tribune hailed the belfry-topped school as the "finest in the state" and "the pride of every citizen of Grand Haven." The newspaper blamed arsonists for burning the school on May 5, . . . — — Map (db m89379) HM
Near South Harbor Drive just west of Y Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Until the 1930's the Coast Guard surfmen were shore based, equipped only with oarpowered surfboats to rescue shipwrecked seamen. As steel hulled steam vessels replaced the wooden schooners, more and more wrecks occurred in mid-Lake far away from the . . . — — Map (db m153592) HM
On North Harbor Drive at Washington Avenue, on the left when traveling north on North Harbor Drive.
Built in 1870, this building has been prominent in Grand Haven's history, both as a railroad depot and as a historical museum. For many years downtown Grand Haven enjoyed train whistles and churning locomotives arriving here with passengers and . . . — — Map (db m152891) HM
Near South Harbor Drive west of Y Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Grand Haven remembers and honors the United States Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba at Escanaba Memorial Park. Based in Grand Haven from 1932 to 1942, the Escanaba embarked on many Great Lakes rescue and ice-breaking missions. The vessel left for service . . . — — Map (db m88819) HM
On South Harbor Drive west of Y Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Text on the Front Side of the Marker:
City of Grand Haven
Escanaba
Park
Parks & Recreation
Text on the Back Side of the Marker:
Originally named John Kelly Park,
the name of the park was changed . . . — — Map (db m88900)
On Washington Avenue at North 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west on Washington Avenue.
This plaque is issued by the Historical Society of Michigan in recognition of First Reformed Church Grand Haven founded in 1850 for more than 100 years of providing continuous service to the people of Michigan and for contributing to the growth . . . — — Map (db m152886) HM
On Harbor Island Drive, on the left when traveling south.
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 . . . — — Map (db m89132) HM
Near South Harbor Drive west of Y Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Grand Haven treasures its relationship with the United States Coast Guard, and the annual Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival is a celebrated tradition. What started in 1924 as a picnic and rowing competition among Coast Guard personnel has become a . . . — — Map (db m88933) HM
On North Harbor Drive at Washington Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North Harbor Drive.
This depot was constructed in 1870 as the western terminus of the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Railroad. The line was later owned by the Grand Trunk Western Railroad. The station served Grand Haven as a passenger depot until passenger service . . . — — Map (db m88965) HM
This signal for many years guarded the east-end approach to the Grand Trunk Western Swing Bridge over the entrance to the Spring Lake channel.
This electrified signal with its colored lights indicated to the engineer of the train whether the . . . — — Map (db m4786) HM
Built in 1925 by Ogle Construction Co. of Chicago. Illinois.
All ladders, stairways and other steel hardware were stripped from the tower when it was removed from operation in the early 1950's.
In use, a hopper car of coal was spottedover . . . — — Map (db m4780) HM
This caboose of the Grand Trunk of Canada was of the 1894 design and was transferred to the Grand Trunk Western.
Early car department records indicate that it was rebuilt in 1925.
This all-wood caboose was used by the conductor as a . . . — — Map (db m4781) HM
On Highland Drive, 0.2 miles north of Lake Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Side 1
On May 10, 1886, the city of Grand Haven leased 60 acres of land to the newly founded and incorporated Highland Park Association for the purpose of establishing a resort community. Most of the 51 original members of the Association were . . . — — Map (db m89252) HM
Near South Harbor Drive west of Y Drive, on the right when traveling west.
In Memory of
those Coast Guard Men and Women around
the world that served at sea, on land and
in the air during all of our country's
conflicts since our founding in 1790.
More especially to those extraordinary
Coast Guard heroes that . . . — — Map (db m88858) WM
On Lake Avenue, 0.2 miles east of Harbor Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Khardomah Lodge
In 1873 lumberman James Brayton built a cottage here, which he and his wife named "Khardomah Lodge." Susan Hill Yerkes bought the property in 1919, adding thirteen rooms and converting the cottage to a summer hotel, thus . . . — — Map (db m89164) HM
Near South Harbor Drive, 0.4 miles west of Sherman Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Grand Haven has been an important base for life-saving on the Great Lakes. In the 1800s, vital transportation on the lakes was challenged by loss of life in storms and accidents. When Congress responded by forming the United States Life Saving . . . — — Map (db m153595) HM
On Jackson Street east of North 1st Street, on the right when traveling west.
Built by the Western Railroad Supply Company of Chicago, Illinois.
The Disappearing Banner Type Autoflag was designed to be placed at the side of the road, with the banner overhanging the roadway, plainly visible to approaching traffic.
This . . . — — Map (db m154227) HM
Near Washington Avenue east of South 4th Street, on the right when traveling east.
Ottawa County's courthouse has been in Grand Haven since 1836, in a series of buildings. The first courthouse shared a one-room building, built on Second Street in 1836, with a school and church. The first true county courthouse was built in 1857; . . . — — Map (db m153585) HM
Built in December, 1946 by the Ralston Steel Car Co. in Columbus, Ohio.
It was used for transportation of automobile parts, furniture, and general merchandise.
Later it was retired from service and used as a storage car in the Chesapeake . . . — — Map (db m4783) HM
Built in November, 1941 by the St. Louis Car Company of St. Louis, Missouri.
The caboose was truly a rolling office, complete with a coal stove, ice box, drinking water tank, sink and sleeping bunks.
The conductor used desk space provided . . . — — Map (db m4782) HM
Built by the Lima Locomotive Works, Lima, Ohio in November 1941. The boiler number is 7837.
This is one of two surviving steam engines of its type that were used in fast freight service between Chicago, Saginaw, Detroit and Toledo. Engine 1223 . . . — — Map (db m4785) HM
On South Harbor Drive west of Y Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Text on the Front Side:
Shipwrecks and the Coast Guard
In Autumn 1929 raging storms sank four ships on Lake Michigan between Grand Haven and Milwaukee. Two went down with all hands - a total of seventy-seven men. The . . . — — Map (db m88945) HM
On South Harbor Drive west of Y Drive, on the right when traveling west.
The Grand River riverfront has been many things. It was a bustling gateway to Lake Michigan for lumber and shipping in the 1800s. After years of neglect, in the 1950s it gained new life as a vital part of Grand Haven's downtown. In the early 1980s . . . — — Map (db m88811) HM
Near South Harbor Drive west of Y Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Text from the Top Plaque:
To
The Enlisted Men
of the
United States
Coast Guard
Who Have Given Their Lives
In Line of Duty
on Lake Michigan
This Memorial is Respectfully . . . — — Map (db m88893)
On North 7th Street at Madison Street, on the left when traveling north on North 7th Street.
The 41 foot utility boat (UTB) was the workhorse of the Coast Guard for 36 years, functioning as the service's standard multipurpose near-shore platform. 172 were constructed by the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay Maryland between 1972 and 1978, and . . . — — Map (db m153598) HM
