Name/Title
Remembering Saugatuck Douglas Years AgoEntry/Object ID
2021.41.20Description
Two pages of notes or recollections by Richard Vacco. The text is handwritten in black pen on yellow lined paper. "Ann Rinaldi" [sic] is written on the top of the page in pencil.
Mr. Vacco recalls the early days of cottaging on Park Street, the disposal of sewage, the acquisition of groceries, transportation options across the river to Saugatuck, the shops and attractions offered there and the prices.
A lightly-edited version of this text ran in the SDHS newsletter on page 293 with this introduction: "The following is a series of recollections recorded by Ann Renaldi and Richard Vacco for a program at the museum. The cottage their family built was located on Park Street on the west side of the river."Subject Person/Organization
Vacco, Richard Jr., Renaldi, Ann (Calvano) 1934-2016, Mount Baldhead Dune/Park, Wise Residence/515 Park/Ferry Store/Heath Shop 1917-1980s?, Old Chain Ferry Scows c1836-1947, 152 Butler/Kilwins/Flint's Quality Store/Landmark Building/A.B. Taylor Store/Odd Fellow Hall, Big Pavilion 1909-1960, 340-360 Water/Dockside Marketplace/Boatyard Village/Hiestand's Edgewater Boat Livery/Heath Grist Mill, 325 Butler/Santa Fe Trading Company/Old World Bakery/Rosemarie/Wilson Ice CreamCollection
Literature, poetry and memoirCataloged By
Winthers, SallyAcquisition
Accession
2021.41Source or Donor
Schmiechen, James A.Acquisition Method
DonationNotes
found in a box of papers donated by James SchmiechenLocation
Box
064 Writings by local peopleGeneral Notes
Note
Source: SDHS newsletter pg. 293
[The following is a series of recollections recorded by Ann Renaldi and Richard Vacco for a program at the museum. The cottage their family built was located on Park Street on the west side of the river.]
Remembering Saugatuck-Douglas Years Ago
by Ann Renaldi and Richard Vacco
Our families were introduced to Saugatuck approximately 70 years ago. Initially our parents leased a cottage on the site where the beautiful red brick home was built later. It came with outdoor plumbing and an outhouse with an option to buy. Our next door neighbor was a Mrs. Mueller who had several lots up the road and sold one to our family. The price was right!
At that time sewage flowed directly into the river. It wasn't until many years later that sewers were installed. The road leading up to the Ox-Bow was dirt and gravel, as was the road leading to the Oval Beach.
Stairs did not exist for getting to the tap of Mt. Baldhead. There was a refreshment stand at the bottom of Mt. Baldhead that served ice cream, hot dogs, soda pop, candy, etc. The Ferry Store, adjacent to the ferry, was initially a full grocery, with fresh meats. It was sold to Tim Gleason who discontinued the meat department. He handled groceries, ice cream, etc. only. He also delivered dairy products to the homes along the road.
The chain ferry, much larger than the existing one, would accommodate four cars at a time. (Cars were considerably smaller in those days.) Charge was 25 cents including the occupants in the car. Pedestrians paid 5 cents. In addition there were flat row boats that would take passengers to the other side of the river for 5 cents. No safety measures were provided like life preservers.
In town was the post office, Flint's Dry Goods Store, The Corner Drug Store; The Bird or Byrd Restaurant, The Pavilion - with movie theater. The dance pavilion charged $1 admission. Once inside three dances were 25 cents. People danced to big name bands. Liquor was not served. The Pavilion was huge; people came from long distances to dance.
The Charles [probably Hiestand] boathouse provided outdoor motor boats, row boats, canoes. You could rent a rowboat and/or canoe for $15 a season.
The Wilson Ice Cream Store, next to the tennis courts, was a popular place for the kids and adults too. A double dip ice cream cone cost 10 cents.Create Date
March 14, 2025Update Date
August 13, 2025
