Holland Harbor Light

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.

Tic-Tac-Toe

Duncan Memorial Park, known locally as Duncan Woods, is a quiet little preserve area located near downtown Grand Haven. There is a small network of trails and a picnic area.

The park is open year-around and closes at dusk. There is no entry fee to the park. Dogs are allowed on leash.

These six unrelated letterboxes are all fairly quick and easy finds — perfect for travelers just passing through the area, or a fun family activity on a weekend afternoon! These trails are heavily used by dog-walkers and there is at least one geocache in this park, so please be discreet, carry the box away from the hiding spot to stamp in and replace the box as found, being sure to conceal it carefully.

Getting There…

From U.S. 31 in Grand Haven, take Taylor west to Sheldon. Turn right (north) onto Sheldon and the park will be on your left.

Clues…

Along the north edge of the parking lot, locate the trail leading to the wooden stairs (which are really erosion braces). At the top of the hill, take the trail where feathery pines stand at 10 degrees. Just before the path begins a slight decline, you will pass the “love tree” on your left. This tree, filled with lover’s carvings, is called the love tree because it looks like a human heart. As the path starts back uphill, watch for a 3-trunk pine on the left. 12 paces past this tree, shortly before before reaching the summit, a trail heads steeply downhill on your right. At the bottom of the hill, stand next to the tall, straight oak found to the right of the last step. At 70 degrees, see a large hollow stump pointing toward the sky. Find the box nestled under a fallen log on the hillside, due north from here.

One-Eyed Kitty

Duncan Memorial Park, known locally as Duncan Woods, is a quiet little preserve area located near downtown Grand Haven. There is a small network of trails and a picnic area.

The park is open year-around and closes at dusk. There is no entry fee to the park. Dogs are allowed on leash.

These six unrelated letterboxes are all fairly quick and easy finds — perfect for travelers just passing through the area, or a fun family activity on a weekend afternoon! These trails are heavily used by dog-walkers and there is at least one geocache in this park, so please be discreet, carry the box away from the hiding spot to stamp in and replace the box as found, being sure to conceal it carefully.

Getting There…

From U.S. 31 in Grand Haven, take Taylor west to Sheldon. Turn right (north) onto Sheldon and the park will be on your left.

Clues…

From the west end of the parking lot, follow the cement path which quickly turns to a no-longer used paved road. 30 past 20 (or 8 before 5 if you look at it from the other way), take a left and follow the stones, keeping your eyes open for Tyler. 125 degrees from the place he stands, find the root end of a fallen pine lying along the path. The tip of this fallen tree points you toward the largest, “gorgeous” beech tree. 215 degrees and 22 paces from the beech tree stands a dead trunk riddled with holes. Proceeding in the same directional line, find the box in a canoe hollow tree.

Mirror, Mirror

Duncan Memorial Park, known locally as Duncan Woods, is a quiet little preserve area located near downtown Grand Haven. There is a small network of trails and a picnic area.

The park is open year-around and closes at dusk. There is no entry fee to the park. Dogs are allowed on leash.

These six unrelated letterboxes are all fairly quick and easy finds — perfect for travelers just passing through the area, or a fun family activity on a weekend afternoon! These trails are heavily used by dog-walkers and there is at least one geocache in this park, so please be discreet, carry the box away from the hiding spot to stamp in and replace the box as found, being sure to conceal it carefully.

Getting There…

From U.S. 31 in Grand Haven, take Taylor west to Sheldon. Turn right (north) onto Sheldon and the park will be on your left.

Clues…

From the far NW corner of the parking lot, follow the path up the hill. When you reach the dying tree trunk where Jeff left his mark, take a bearing of 320 degrees. See a large tree stump ahead, surrounded by several downed trees. You would be yise to search cracks, crevices and crotches to find the box here.

Chinook Pier

Getting There…

Use a Michigan map to get to the town of Grand Haven, located along Lake Michigan in the midwestern portion of the state. The following poem will provide your starting point and the clues to lead you to the end of your letterbox hunting trail.

Clues…

At the place where pianos once were made
The name within my brickwork laid,
For years I towered tall above the town
‘Till the ‘98 windstorm blew me down.

The old steam engine, Pere Marquette
You’ll find NE across the road a bit,
From it’s nose a few steps west
Buy summer produce at it’s best.

This place is known as Chinook Pier
Summer is a busy time of year,
Tourists shop and buy ice cream
Charters catch a fisherman’s dream.

Along the walk a place there’ll be
here fish are weighed and cleaned bone-free,
Stand facing water over there
Where smell of fish hangs in the air.

Along the other side you’ll see
A linear park with many trees,
The pathway to the box is now in view
How you get there, is up to you.

At the very west end of this walk
Five places people sit and talk,
When ash trees shade you from the sun
Your treasure hunt is nearly done.

Where handrail meets the seawall
Be very careful not to fall,
Reach your hand up and in
To find the letterbox tin.