Boarding House, Singapore

Drawing

-

Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society

Image caption from "Raising the Roof" 2nd ed., page 13: THE BOARDING HOUSE AT SINGAPORE 1837-1869 Singapore, Saugatuck Harbor As described by one former resident, "this great human beehive" was a gray and unpainted house (60'x 40'), three stories high and had a bar room, dance floor (the kitchen), and an "immense" cooking stove. Over its lifetime it housed hundreds of mill workers as well as travelers/immigrants seeking land and jobs. Drawing by Margaret McDermott, based on recollections of Laura C. Hutchins, cited in H. H. Hutchins, Western Allegan Pioneer Days (1919, reprint, 1995).

Image caption from "Raising the Roof" 2nd ed., page 13: THE BOARDING HOUSE AT SINGAPORE 1837-1869 Singapore, Saugatuck Harbor As described by one former resident, "this great human beehive" was a gray and unpainted house (60'x 40'), three stories high and had a bar room, dance floor (the kitchen), and an "immense" cooking stove. Over its lifetime it housed hundreds of mill workers as well as travelers/immigrants seeking land and jobs. Drawing by Margaret McDermott, based on recollections of Laura C. Hutchins, cited in H. H. Hutchins, Western Allegan Pioneer Days (1919, reprint, 1995).

Name/Title

Boarding House, Singapore

Entry/Object ID

2021.41.62

Description

Ink drawing on watercolor paper of a large, multiple-story building that once existed in Singapore, Michigan. Drawn by Margaret McDermott based on a description by Laura Hudson Hutchins interpreted by architectural historian Dr. James Schmiechen. The drawing appeared in SDHS publication "Raising the Roof" 2nd edition page 13 and "Remembering When" newspaper articles [see 2021.87.114].

Type of Drawing

Ink - Black

Context

The Big House or Astor House was built in 1837 or 1838 as housing for Singapore mill workers and their families. Early immigrants from the Netherlands, traveling by ship on the Lake Michigan, often stayed at Singapore before attempting the final leg of their journey to Holland, Michigan. Allegan Journal, June-7-1873, "The 'Big House' at Singapore is being torn down. The building for many years was a public house, and a favorite resort of the pioneers of western Allegan county. The balls, high-toned parties, shows and concerts were always billed for the "Big House," and many a merry party have gathered within its walls, and 'drove dull care away' with music and revelry, with 'brave men smiling on fair women.' Our old residents refer to those days with pride and pleasure, but the old house is among the things that were, while few of the merry participants remain to tell the story. Hon. F.B. Stockbridge furnishes us with the following particulars concerning Singapore, the bank, hotel, etc. The New York and Michigan Company laid out the village of Singapore in year 1838, and built a large hotel building and saw mill; the mill had twelve boilers and two rotary engines. They also established the Singapore Bank, and their money was good longer than most of the wild cat currency. The big mill and bank building were burned about 1866.*.The assets of the New York and Michigan Company passed to a Mr. A. Carter -- from him to F.B. Stockbridge, and from him to O.R. Johnson and Co. The original owner of the property owned an immense tract of pine lumber." *This line contradicts reports that the Singapore Bank building was moved to Moore's property in Saugatuck and later to 317 Butler Street.

Collection

Buildings: Lost, Buildings: Commercial

Cataloged By

Winthers, Sally

Acquisition

Accession

2021.41

Source or Donor

Schmiechen, James A.

Acquisition Method

Donation

Made/Created

Artist

McDermott, Margaret

Dimensions

Height

7-1/2 in

Width

11 in

Location

Box

039 Singapore

Create Date

September 30, 2025

Update Date

November 10, 2025