Nearly a century later, exploring the tragedy of Ottawa Beach Hotel
Before there was Black Lake Boardwalk, Holland State Park or even Ottawa Beach Road, the north side of Macatawa Bay was home to perhaps the grandest hotel in Holland history.
Cassandra Lybrink, The Holland Sentinel
Published
5:04 pm UTC Feb. 28, 2021
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is part of an occasional series, Old Haunts of Holland, that will spotlight businesses that once held a special place in the heart of Hollanders and now hold a permanent place in our local history.
Before it was Black Lake Boardwalk, before Holland State Park and Ottawa Beach Marina even before Ottawa Beach Road the westernmost plot of land along the north side of Macatawa Bay held perhaps the grandest hotel in Holland history.
Grand Ledge got its start in
1847 when Henry Trench settled in the area that would become downtown Grand Ledge.
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Rather than go through a number of names before settling on a permanent one, the moniker Grand Ledge was decided as early as
1850. That same year, a post office began operations and a sawmill was built near the dam on the Grand River.
1859: Grand Ledge started taking advantage of the vast amount of clay in the area, and soon a pottery shop was opened on West Jefferson.
1869: The town became a railway station along the Pere Marquette Railroad.
As I was perusing some old Michigan atlases, I happened to come across a place in Eaton County called “Clay”.
Try as I might, I could barely find any conclusive information on Clay. What I was able to throw together is the following:
Clay was once a little hamlet in Eaton County s Oneida Township, along the Pere Marquette Railroad west of Grand Ledge. There are three possibilities to where it got its name:
1)
Possibly named after Clay Township in Onondaga County, New York. The township was where Polly Wise Knapp was born, the mother of Silas E. Knapp, who was one of Eaton County s agricultural representatives in the late 1800s.
A Window into Midland s Past: Maggie Cunningham among Midland s most beloved pioneers
Maggie Cunningham among Midland’s most beloved pioneers
Gary F. Skory, For the Daily News
Dec. 19, 2020
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Maggie Cunningham stands in front of her hotel and restaurant. (Provided Photo) Show MoreShow Less
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Maggie Cunningham stands in front of her hotel and restaurant. (Provided Photo) Show MoreShow Less
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Editor’s note: The Midland County Historical Society is partnering with the Midland Daily News for “A Window to Midland’s Past,” which features historical pieces in print and online at ourmidland.com. This particular piece was compiled by retired historical society director Gary Skory.
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