Michigan
Saugatuck (Mich.)
Allegan County (Mich.)
Beaches
Sand dunes
Michigan, Lake
Snow
Photograph of Lake Michigan and its neighboring beach and sand dunes covered in snow. Sand fencing is seen cascading across the beach and dunegrass is sprouting above the snow.
Walsh, Jerri
Digital file contributed by Jerri Walsh as part of the Stories of Summer project.
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
Copyright Undetermined
Lakes
Docks
Black and white photograph of an empty boardwalk and dock overlooking the waters of Kalamazoo Lake in a snow-covered Saugatuck, Michigan.
Black and white photograph of an empty dock overlooking the waters of Kalamazoo Lake in a snow-covered Saugatuck, Michigan.
Easter
Black and white photograph of an empty dock over the waters of Kalamazoo Lake in Saugatuck, Michigan. In the distance is a large building identified as "The Butler" restaurant. Despite the coloring of the photograph it is apparent that the sky is gray. The handwriting on the back of the photograph reads: "Wed. March 22, '67. Easter, Saugatuck 'The Butler' Jerry Kelly."
Lighthouses
Cottages
Photograph of the old lighthouse cottage located among the snow-covered dunes in Saugatuck, Michigan. It was previously the site of the original Kalamazoo River Light and was rebuilt as a "lighthouse-style" summer home for the Deam family.
Snow-covered sand dunes overlooking the Kalamazoo River
Kalamazoo River (Mich.)
Photograph featuring snow-covered dunes surrounding the Kalamazoo River in the area that appears to be Oxbow Lagoon. The sky is gray and trees are in the distance. . The handwriting on the back of the photograph reads: "Wed., March 22, '67. Easter, Saugatuck. Lake Behind The Lighthousekeeper's house. Jerry Kelly."
Photograph of the old lighthouse cottage located among the snow-covered dunes between Lake Michigan and Oxbow Lagoon. It was previously the site of the original Kalamazoo River Light and was rebuilt as a "lighthouse-style" summer home for the Deam family following an extensive restoration of the building and property. The image shows the house in the distance and appears to be bleak, as the sky is gray, the grass is overgrown, and the trees are barren. Handwriting reads: "Wed., March 22, '67. Easter, Saugatuck. 'The Old Light-Housekeeper's House' where he hung himself. Jerry Kelly."
Stairs
Photograph of Lake Michigan and its neighboring beach and sand dunes covered in snow. A staircase is seen cascading down to the beach and dunegrass is sprouting above the snow.
Ponds
Photograph of "Old Mill Pond" surrounded by snow. The pond is the focal point of the photograph, with trees in the background that are barren and patches of snow on the ground. The description on the back of the photograph reads: "Wed. March, 22/67. Easter, Saugatuck. 'The Old MIll Pond' Jerry, Kelly."
Photograph of snow-covered sand among Saugatuck's dunes. The photograph appears to be taken in the area near the original lighthouse, among the dunes just north of Oval Beach. Developed circa April 1967
Newspapers
Galley Gazette newspaper highlighting news stories and menu items from Coral Gables of Saugatuck, Michigan. The articles highlight different aspects of the iconic downtown location such as the impact the business had on the community, as well as its history and the varied background of the building which Coral Gables now inhabits. The right-hand side of the newpaper has a menu and details the 25th anniversary celebration which was planned. Circa the 1960s
Coral Gables
Berry Cove Motel, Saugatuck, Mich. postcard
Postcards
Motels
Black and white postcard of the Berry Cove Motel located off of U.S. 31 in Saugatuck, Michigan. The motel is situated behind a few trees in the photograph and there are two individuals sitting in lawn chairs by the entrance.
Postcard of the Lake Michigan shoreline where the sand dunes overlook the water. The sky has wispy clouds and the dunes are covered in trees. The back of the postcard has no handwriting and the typed description in the lower left reads: "Lake Michigan. Come to Michigan for a real vacation. The water is fine, accomodations plentiful and the scenery superb."
Penrod Studio
Aerial view of Saugatuck, Mich. postcard
Aerial views
Postcard showcasing an aerial view of Saugatuck, Michigan and the neighboring Kalamazoo River flowing to Lake Michigan. The majority of the land shown in the image is covered in forest and sand dunes are seen by the lakeshore. There is no handwriting on the back of the postcard and the typed description in the upper left corner reads: "Saugatuck, Michigan. Aerial view shows Saugatuck's unique location along the shores and bathing beach of Lake Michigan. Lake Kalamazoo in the foreground makes an ideal natural harbor for all kinds of boating activities."
Postcard featuring the Lake Michigan shore of Western Michigan. The postcard has the focus of the image on a young tree in the middle of the sand. In the distance the waves are softly crashing. The back of the postcard has no handwriting and the typed description on the lower left side reads: "Lake Michigan. Beautiful Lake Michigan with its miles of excellent beaches offers the summer visitors fun and relaxation. Plan to spend your vacation in Western Michigan."
Outdoor recreation
Black and white postcard of Oval Beach in Saugatuck, Michigan. The beach is busy and the waves are soft. The stairs on the dunes are discolored and are saturated in a rainbow of color. The handwriting on the back of the postcard reads: "Oval Beach, Saugatuck, Michigan."
L. L. Cook Co.
Lake Michigan, Southwestern Mich. postcard
Postcard featuring the Lake Michigan shore of Southwestern Michigan. The postcard is a close up image of the waves crashing on the shore. There are trees in the distance and the sky is a clear light blue. The back of the postcard has no handwriting and the typed description on the lower left side reads: "Lake Michigan. Southwestern Michigan. Beautiful Lake Michigan with its miles of excellent beaches offers the summer visitors fun and relaxation. Plan to spend your vacation in Southwestern Michigan."
View overlooking Oval Beach, Saugatuck, Mich. postcard
Automobiles
Postcard of Oval Beach from the view overlooking the parking lot in Saugatuck, Michigan. The front features a wide shot of the beach on Lake Michigan and a parking lot full of cars lined up on the right side of the photograph. The typed description in the upper left-hand corner reads: "Saugatuck, Michigan. Everyone enjoys a day at the beach. This is part of the fun of a vacation at Saugatuck." The writing on the left-hand side is upside down, but reads: " Circle L. 24 5-5065. Cookie phone, Williams Bay, Wisconsin." The postcard is addressed to Jeff Fons 4055 Rabina, Berkley, Mich.
Saugatuck Ferry, Saugatuck, Mich. postcard
Ferries
Postcard of the "Saugatuck Ferry" in Saugatuck, Michigan featuring a large group of people enjoying their ride across the water. The tree-lined shore is nearby in the background. There is no handwriting on the back of the postcard, however, the typed description in the upper left-hand corner reads: "Saugatuck Ferry. Everyone loves to ride across the channel of the Kalamazoo River on the unique chain ferry. The Saugatuck-Douglas area of West Michigan offers the visitor a wide variety of fun-filled activities and excellent accomodations. Relax at Saugatuck."
Twilight
Postcard of a beautiful sunset over Lake Michigan. The front features a couple standing on the beach, overlooking Lake Michigan as the sun is setting. The sky is a bright orange and is reflecting off of the water. There is no handwriting on the back of the postcard, however, the bottom left hand corner has the following description typed: "The unforgettable beauty of a sunset over Lake Michigan."
Black and white photograph featuring a wide shot of a few cabins, which are largely obscured by the trees. There are a few cars visible between the trees. The back of the photograph has a purple Post-it note which says "late 40 uncles cabins." Circa the late 1940s
Postcard of Oval Beach overlooking Lake Michigan in Saugatuck, Michigan. The front features a wide shot of the beach on Lake Michigan and the crowded parking lot. The beach is dotted with individuals and a line of cars are parked on the right side of the photograph. . The back of the postcard has no handwriting, however the top lefthand corner has the typed description of: "The ever popular public beach and parking oval. Saugatuck, Michigan."
Postcard of Oval Beach overlooking Lake Michigan in Saugatuck, Michigan. The postcard features the entrance to Oval Beach, a small sign with the beach name on it as well as the phrase "Owned and operated by the Village of Saugatuck." A procession of three 1950's era cars are driving into the parking lot of the beach and there is the American flag in the distance as well as the view of the water. The back of the postcard bares no handwriting but the description in the upper lefthand corner reads: "The approach to Oval Beach, Saugatuck, Michigan.'" The bottom lefthand corner has a copyright date of 1958.
Central business districts
Postcard featuring Coral Gables, Hotel Saugatuck, and The Old Crow Bar located in downtown Saugatuck, Michigan. The front of the postcard shows a busy street and nightlife, with the featured businesses lit up at night. The back of the postcard bares no handwriting but the description in the upper lefthand corner reads: "Coral Gables-Saugatuck, Michigan. Come by boat, bus or car but don't miss a visit to Coral Gables while vacationing at Saugatuck. This area offers a wide variety of activities and entertainment for your pleasure. 'Relax at Saugatuck.'"