Name/Title
Park x Perryman StreetsEntry/Object ID
2021.87.44Scope and Content
The Local Observer newspaper Remembering When - Our History article titled "History Met Here" LO42
November 23, 2005.
By Jack Sheridan and Jim Schmiechen.
Digital files use to create this article and associated resources at 2021.72.02Context
HISTORY MET HERE
Historically, the intersection of Park and Perryman heads a list full of superlatives: The most photographed intersection in Saugatuck; one of the oldest and one of the most important; busiest; most crossed point of the river; site of the ferry landing and store; a prime spot for early tent campers and resorters renting a room.
Here began Lincoln Road, now Perryman Street – among the high dunes which range to the west and the north. That first hill is a steep climb. When I was a kid with thumb out, a ride was best hitched by waiting at the bottom. The road was a rutted sandy track when cut in the 1890s to reach the Forward Movement camp (later Camp Gray and today the Presbyterian Camp). In 1936 it was extended and paved to the newly created Oval Beach. Park Street was an important connection between the Singapore area and the lakeshore road to Pier Cove.
These photos provide a glimpse of what stood there between 1880 and 1910. The oldest shows the Ebmeyer-Bird Shingle mill ca 1880. Note the 1874 observation tower on top of Baldhead overlooking the scene. The three cottages –including the Renaldi cottage right on the corner--with the same roof line were probably built next.
The historical record is sparse but about 1903 Edward Perryman built the Pokagon Hotel–-quite extravagant for the day with at least thirty rooms, a bar, dining room and a separate dance hall in front over the water. In 1905 it burned and all that remained of Mr Perryman’s hotel was the dance hall. The Ferry Inn, now the Beachway the large building on the edge of the hill, was built shortly after the Pokagon Hotel disappeared and remains a landmark today. By Jack SheridanCollection
Remembering When, William (Bill) Simmons, 1880 Tourism steamship era -1930, Buildings: Homes, cottages and private residences, 1930+ Tourism, lodging, hotels and B&BsCataloged By
Winthers, SallyAcquisition
Accession
2021.87Source or Donor
Sheridan, John "Jack" O. 1938-Acquisition Method
DonationLocation
* Untyped Location
Digital data in CatalogItRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Pier Cove 1839-, Ebmeyer-Bird Shingle MillRelated Places
Place
City
Singapore, Michigan 1837-1875Related Publications
Publication
Local ObserverCreate Date
December 11, 2021Update Date
September 18, 2024
