59. Douglas Basket Factory

Basket factory at Mill Point, 201 Washington Street, Douglas — Steamer Charles McVea passing the E.E. Weed & Co. Basket Factory at Mill Point in Douglas.

The Basket Factory in Douglas had many owners and many names through the years. But it always specialized in the production of wood baskets for shipping locally-grown fruit and berries. The factory was the mainstay of the Douglas economy from the early 1900s through the 1920s. In its final venture as E.E. Weed & Company, it was the largest manufacturer in Douglas, and the largest basket factory in Michigan. The workday there ended at 4:40 pm to allow workers to get in some fishing before sunset. When the factory was destroyed by fire in 1927 the flames were so immense that it was said its glow could be seen as far away as Muskegon. The Mill Point site, just upriver of the Blue Star Highway bridge, is now the location of a private residence and the Douglas Marina Public Park at 201 N. Washington Street.