Holland Harbor Light

Nearest City:	Holland, MI
County:	Ottawa
Planted By:	SpringChick
Date Planted:	December 6, 2002
Terrain:	Easy
Time/Distance:	About 20 minutes
Status:	Inactive

History…

The first lighthouse built at the entrance to Holland Harbor was a small, square wooden structure erected in the late 1800’s. Only a few years later, 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 stout 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.

Although the lighthouse sits on the south breakwall of the Holland Harbor channel, the barrage of luxury homes, condominiums and private neighborhood associations along the south shore of Lake Macatawa in recent years has made it impossible to get to the lighthouse on this side of the channel without knowing somebody or trespassing. Fortunately, there is an unobstructed view from the north side of the channel at Holland State Park.

Clues…

This box is missing and will be replanted in a new location.

Tagged: Clues, Historical Markers, Inactive, MI-Ottawa, Michigan Lighthouses, Michigan-LP, Traditional

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