Saugatuck, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Saugatuck is a city in Allegan County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The population was 925 at the 2010 census. The city is within Saugatuck Township
, but is administratively autonomous.
Originally a lumber town and port, Saugatuck, along with the adjacent city of Douglas
became a noted art colony and tourist destination in the arts and crafts movement of the late 19th century. In the early 20th century, Saugatuck was home to the famous Big Pavilion, a large dance hall that attracted bands and visitors from across the Midwest. The building was a popular destination on Lake Michigan from its construction in 1909 until it burned down on May 6, 1960.
Today, tourists are drawn to the art galleries, harbor, marinas, scenery, unusual stores, the view from atop Mount Baldhead, and tourist attractions as well as Oval Beach on Lake Michigan
, which enjoys a worldwide reputation. Nearby are Saugatuck Dunes State Park
and Allegan State Game Area
as is the city of Holland
.
, together with later structures in the Arts and Crafts
and Colonial Revival styles.
Both cities retain their essential traditional character and quaint charm, having been spared the suburbanization and chain store and "mall" invasion that makes most other places look almost identical to each other. At the same time, the cities offer much in terms of first class lodging, restaurants, recreation, shopping and cultural opportunities.
Key to the area's history and popularity is its natural environment. Saugatuck and Douglas are nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan
and the Kalamazoo River
and are defined by steep, rolling dunes to the west and lush orchard country and farmland to the east. The climate is blessed by the moderating effects of Lake Michigan which provides cool breezes on warm summer days, and plenty of winter snow.
It was to this setting that urbanites from Chicago and as far away as St. Louis started escaping in the early 20th century, although the settlement of the area began in the 1830s by lumber barons who founded nearby what is now known as the lost village of Singapore
. For many years the cities supported a thriving mix of sawmills, barrel factories, and other wood product firms. The area contributed much of the lumber used to rebuild Chicago after the Great Fire of 1871.
When the trees were gone, so were the lumbermen. But Saugatuck and Douglas thrived, turning to shipping and fruit growing as a source of income in the latter part of the 19th century. Peaches from the area were called "Michigan Gold" and were shipped by large steamships to the Chicago
market. Hundreds of ships of various types were built in Saugatuck shipyards and the town was a haven for ship captains.
A resort, tourist, and "cottage" culture emerged in the 1880s and took a propitious turn in 1910 when a group of Chicago artists established the Summer School of Paintings on Ox-Bow Lagoon, and when a huge dance hall, called the Big Pavilion, was built on the waterfront. The resulting influx of well-known artists and big name Chicago architects resulted in a wave of building. The seed planted at Ox-Bow has continued to flourish over the years, with the area is now known as the Art Coast of Michigan. Today, Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists' Residency continues to be affiliated with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
The area's many historical buildings, fine art galleries, and famous chain ferry, together with the art of recreation, the art of learning, and the art of nature, are all aspects of the area's history that are part of the art of being Saugatuck and Douglas.
, the city has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), of which 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it is water or 17.93%.
In town, attractions include the many art galleries (over a dozen), small, independent shops, and restaurants, such as the Butler (named after the founder of the town, William Butler), Marro's Italian Restaurant, The Elbo Room, Coral Gables, and the Mermaid Bar & Grill. The Saugatuck Chain Ferry departs from Wicks Park, near the Star of Saugatuck, a large paddle-wheel boat that gives daily tours of the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan. There are art and music festivals throughout the year.
Other attractions include the nearby town of Douglas, Saugatuck's sister city, and the above mentioned Oval Beach. Saugatuck's historic churches contribute to a vibrant community while preserving some of the oldest buildings in town. The oldest of these churches is First Congregational Church, founded in 1860.
Since the 1970s the Saugatuck and neighboring Douglas have been popular as a tourist destination for gay and lesbian tourists from the Chicago
, Detroit, Indianapolis
, and Grand Rapids area as well as other Midwestern urban areas. It has even been nicknamed by some as the Provincetown of the Midwest.
of 2000, there were 1,065 people, 549 households, and 265 families residing in the city. The population density
was 893.6 people per square mile (345.5/km²). There were 928 housing units at an average density of 778.7 per square mile (301.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.21% White, 1.60% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.41% from other races
, and 0.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.32% of the population.
There were 549 households out of which 18.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples
living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.7% were non-families. 41.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.93 and the average family size was 2.62.
In the city the population was spread out with 16.8% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 32.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,318, and the median income for a family was $64,583. Males had a median income of $46,161 versus $26,484 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $34,382. About 6.7% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
Allegan County, Michigan
-Interstates:* I-196* I-196 Business Loop serves the city of Holland.-US highways:* US-31* US-131-Michigan State Trunklines:* M-40* M-89* M-179* M-222-Allegan County Intercounty Highways:* A-2* A-37* A-42* A-45-Demographics:...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The population was 925 at the 2010 census. The city is within Saugatuck Township
Saugatuck Township, Michigan
Saugatuck Township is a civil township of Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,590 at the 2000 census. The 2008 population estimate is 3,065...
, but is administratively autonomous.
Originally a lumber town and port, Saugatuck, along with the adjacent city of Douglas
Douglas, Michigan
Douglas is a city in Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,214 at the 2000 census...
became a noted art colony and tourist destination in the arts and crafts movement of the late 19th century. In the early 20th century, Saugatuck was home to the famous Big Pavilion, a large dance hall that attracted bands and visitors from across the Midwest. The building was a popular destination on Lake Michigan from its construction in 1909 until it burned down on May 6, 1960.
Today, tourists are drawn to the art galleries, harbor, marinas, scenery, unusual stores, the view from atop Mount Baldhead, and tourist attractions as well as Oval Beach on Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
, which enjoys a worldwide reputation. Nearby are Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Saugatuck Dunes State Park is a 1,120 acre Michigan state park. It is located on Lake Michigan between Saugatuck and Holland in Allegan County, Michigan....
and Allegan State Game Area
Allegan State Game Area
Allegan State Game Area is a forest attracting campers, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, horse trail riders and hunters. It is located in west-central Allegan County, Michigan. One gateway is just west of the city of Allegan. It is more commonly referred to as Allegan Forest.It has two...
as is the city of Holland
Holland, Michigan
Holland is a city in the western region of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan on Lake Macatawa, which is fed by the Macatawa River ....
.
History
The Saugatuck/Douglas area is unusual among Midwest frontier towns in that it did not experience either the destruction of the fires that hit most towns in the mid-to-late 19th century or the railroad that brought modernization and urban growth. Because of this, the cities of Saugatuck and Douglas provide a rare opportunity to observe pre- and post-Civil War Greek Revival and Italianate architectureItalianate architecture
The Italianate style of architecture was a distinct 19th-century phase in the history of Classical architecture. In the Italianate style, the models and architectural vocabulary of 16th-century Italian Renaissance architecture, which had served as inspiration for both Palladianism and...
, together with later structures in the Arts and Crafts
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
and Colonial Revival styles.
Both cities retain their essential traditional character and quaint charm, having been spared the suburbanization and chain store and "mall" invasion that makes most other places look almost identical to each other. At the same time, the cities offer much in terms of first class lodging, restaurants, recreation, shopping and cultural opportunities.
Key to the area's history and popularity is its natural environment. Saugatuck and Douglas are nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
and the Kalamazoo River
Kalamazoo River
The Kalamazoo River is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. The river is long from the junction of its North and South branches to its mouth at Lake Michigan, with a total length extending to when one includes the South Branch...
and are defined by steep, rolling dunes to the west and lush orchard country and farmland to the east. The climate is blessed by the moderating effects of Lake Michigan which provides cool breezes on warm summer days, and plenty of winter snow.
It was to this setting that urbanites from Chicago and as far away as St. Louis started escaping in the early 20th century, although the settlement of the area began in the 1830s by lumber barons who founded nearby what is now known as the lost village of Singapore
Singapore, Michigan
Singapore, perhaps Michigan's most famous ghost town, is one of the casualties of the four great fires that ravaged the northern midwest on October 8, 1871...
. For many years the cities supported a thriving mix of sawmills, barrel factories, and other wood product firms. The area contributed much of the lumber used to rebuild Chicago after the Great Fire of 1871.
When the trees were gone, so were the lumbermen. But Saugatuck and Douglas thrived, turning to shipping and fruit growing as a source of income in the latter part of the 19th century. Peaches from the area were called "Michigan Gold" and were shipped by large steamships to the Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
market. Hundreds of ships of various types were built in Saugatuck shipyards and the town was a haven for ship captains.
A resort, tourist, and "cottage" culture emerged in the 1880s and took a propitious turn in 1910 when a group of Chicago artists established the Summer School of Paintings on Ox-Bow Lagoon, and when a huge dance hall, called the Big Pavilion, was built on the waterfront. The resulting influx of well-known artists and big name Chicago architects resulted in a wave of building. The seed planted at Ox-Bow has continued to flourish over the years, with the area is now known as the Art Coast of Michigan. Today, Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists' Residency continues to be affiliated with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
The area's many historical buildings, fine art galleries, and famous chain ferry, together with the art of recreation, the art of learning, and the art of nature, are all aspects of the area's history that are part of the art of being Saugatuck and Douglas.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), of which 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it is water or 17.93%.
Tourism
Saugatuck's primary source of revenue stems from tourism - though only 1,000 individuals call Saugatuck their year-round home, the population of the town swells to nearly 3,000 in the summer. Saugatuck is a prime summer weekend getaway destination for residents of Chicago, Grand Rapids and Detroit areas and many guests are attracted to the many Bed and Breakfasts in the area. In 2010, Saugatuck came in fourth in Budget Travel Magazine's ten coolest towns in America.In town, attractions include the many art galleries (over a dozen), small, independent shops, and restaurants, such as the Butler (named after the founder of the town, William Butler), Marro's Italian Restaurant, The Elbo Room, Coral Gables, and the Mermaid Bar & Grill. The Saugatuck Chain Ferry departs from Wicks Park, near the Star of Saugatuck, a large paddle-wheel boat that gives daily tours of the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan. There are art and music festivals throughout the year.
Other attractions include the nearby town of Douglas, Saugatuck's sister city, and the above mentioned Oval Beach. Saugatuck's historic churches contribute to a vibrant community while preserving some of the oldest buildings in town. The oldest of these churches is First Congregational Church, founded in 1860.
Since the 1970s the Saugatuck and neighboring Douglas have been popular as a tourist destination for gay and lesbian tourists from the Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Detroit, Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, and Grand Rapids area as well as other Midwestern urban areas. It has even been nicknamed by some as the Provincetown of the Midwest.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,065 people, 549 households, and 265 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 893.6 people per square mile (345.5/km²). There were 928 housing units at an average density of 778.7 per square mile (301.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.21% White, 1.60% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.41% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.32% of the population.
There were 549 households out of which 18.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.7% were non-families. 41.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.93 and the average family size was 2.62.
In the city the population was spread out with 16.8% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 32.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,318, and the median income for a family was $64,583. Males had a median income of $46,161 versus $26,484 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $34,382. About 6.7% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
External links
- Saugatuck/Douglas Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Saugatuck City Hall
- Saugatuck Area Business Association
- Saugatuck Public Schools
- Saugatuck-Douglas District Library
- Saugatuck - Douglas Historical Society
- http://www.krehbielart.com/saugatuck.htmBrief exhibit of historic paintings of Saugatuck, Michigan, by renowned American impressionist, Albert Henry KrehbielAlbert Henry KrehbielAlbert Henry Krehbiel , was an American artist who was born in Denmark, Iowa and who taught, lived and worked for many years in Chicago. Although educated as a realist in Paris, which is reflected in his neoclassical mural works, soon developed a strong appreciation for impressionism and is mainly...
(1873–1945): American Midwest Paintings; Saugatuck, Michigan Exhibit]