You may notice some fresh history around town amidst the fall leaves and fresh snow. This past week, the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center installed its latest round of historical markers. The “History Lives Here” interpretive marker program, launched in 2022, reveals the layers of extraordinary history in everyday places across the Lakeshore region.
The new markers can be viewed in Saugatuck at Village Square, Coughlin Park, and the west-side Chain Ferry Landing. The Douglas marker is located on the southern end of the Blue Star Bridge on the Kalamazoo River. These markers tell the stories of the Harriss Pie Factory that became the home of the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, LGBTQ history and Jazz history at the Blue Tempo Bar, the history of Saugatuck’s early settlement, and the life story of Saugatuck’s beloved chain-ferryman, Jay Meyers.
The historical markers are a project of the SDHC including support from project historian Anna Minnebo and design from Sally Winthers. The markers are underwritten with generous support from sponsors including:
- Andersen Boatworks
- John Cannarsa and Timothy Straker
- Sam and Janine Cummings
- Mike Mattern in memory of Bill Hess
- Barry Spengler and Patricia Cleland
- Saugatuck-Douglas Art Club
- Chris Thau and Daniel Dugan
- The Wendel Family Foundation
