14. Douglas Airport and Airpark Speedway

Location: 2753 Blue Star Highway [now Horse Shoe Farm], Saugatuck Township

The Douglas Airport (also known as the Saugatuck-Douglas Airport) opened for business just after World War II by pilots Harl and Lucille Schneider. It provided student instruction, charter trips, and had a cafe known as “The Airport Grill.” It had two 2,500-foot, packed-dirt runways and several hangars. The Schneiders had a four-place Stinson airplane along with several Aeronca airplanes (two-seaters) — all painted yellow. The airport provided training lessons for returning WWII GIs.

In 1952, an automobile-racing track called Airpark Speedway was added near the back of the property, complete with bleacher seating and weekly races. The Airpark Speedway was the site of the blockbuster 1959 and 1960 Saugatuck Jazz Festivals. The 1960 festival included performances by Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, and Duke Ellington. The Airport Grill still exists as a remodeled residence.