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Holland Harbor, MI |
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Description:
The signs at the Holland Harbor Lighthouse read:
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 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. 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, apply 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. This historical photograph shows an inner light originally located inland from Big Red. Two modern D9 cylindrical towers now mark the ends of the breakwaters that extend out into the lake beyond the lighthouse. The Fresnel lens used in the lighthouse is on display at the Holland Museum. Please note that the taking of pictures inside the museum is prohibited. In 2005, the Holland Harbor Lighthouse, deemed excess by the Coast Guard, was offered at no cost to eligible entities, including federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit corporations, and educational organizations under the provisions of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. After the review process, the National Park Service transferred the lighthouse to the Holland Harbor Lighthouse Historical Commission. Location: Located in Holland on the south side of the entrance to Lake Macatawa from Lake Michigan. Latitude: 42.77271 Longitude: -86.21245 For a larger map of Holland Harbor Lighthouse, click the lighthouse in the above map or get a map from: Mapquest. Travel Instructions: From Interstate 196 take the I-196 Business Route from either exit 44 or 55 and drive into Holland. If you took exit 44, the business route will become River Avenue. If you took exit 55, turn right onto River Avenue in Holland. From River Avenue, turn left onto Douglas Avenue. Douglas Avenue will become Ottawa Beach Road which will take you to Holland State Park on the shore of Lake Michigan. From the park, you can get a good view of Big Red, which is located on the opposite side of the entrance to Lake Macatawa. It is possible to get closer to the Holland Harbor Lighthouse by a visit to the south side of the lake entrance, however, that area is mainly private property, and although limited public access is permitted, a lengthy walk is required to reach the lighthouse. The Fresnel lens used in the lighthouse is on display at the Holland Museum. The lighthouse is owned by the Holland Harbor Lighthouse Historical Commission. Grounds open, tower closed. Find the closest hotels to Holland Harbor Lighthouse See our List of Lighthouses in Michigan |
