List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Ottawa County facts for kids

Location of Ottawa County in Michigan

Welcome to Ottawa County, Michigan! This area is full of amazing places that tell stories about the past. These special spots are called Michigan State Historic Sites. They are important because they help us learn about the history of our state and the people who lived here long ago. Some of these sites are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means they are important to the whole country!

Historic Homes and Buildings
- Homes of Important People
- Other Important Buildings
Churches and Community Life
Education and Learning
Important Moments and Places
Images for kids
See also

Historic Homes and Buildings

Many old buildings in Ottawa County have been saved because they are important parts of history. These homes and other structures show us how people lived, worked, and built communities in the past.

Homes of Important People

Aloys Bilz House: This beautiful house in Spring Lake was built for Aloys Bilz. He was a successful businessman who owned a lumber company and helped develop the area. The house shows the fancy style of homes from the late 1800s.
Isaac Cappon House: Located in Holland, this large Victorian house belonged to Isaac Cappon. He was Holland's first mayor and a very important person in the city's early days. Visiting his home is like stepping back in time to see how a wealthy family lived.

The historic Isaac Cappon House in Holland.

Edward P. Ferry House: In Grand Haven, you can find the home of Edward P. Ferry. He was a successful lumber baron who helped build Grand Haven. His house is a great example of the grand homes built during the lumber boom.
Thomas and Anna Morrissey House: This house in Holland belonged to Thomas and Anna Morrissey. It's a good example of the homes built for working families in the early 1900s.
Benjamin Van Raalte House: This house in Holland was the home of Benjamin Van Raalte. His father, Albertus C. Van Raalte, was a key leader in founding the city of Holland. The house itself is a beautiful example of early architecture in the area.

Other Important Buildings

Grand Trunk Railroad Depot: In Grand Haven, this old train station was once a busy place. It was where people arrived and departed, and goods were shipped. It reminds us of a time before cars were common, when trains were vital for travel and trade.

The old Grand Trunk Railroad Depot in Grand Haven.

Holland Old City Hall and Fire Station: This building in Holland served as both the city hall and fire station. It shows how important these services were to a growing town. It's a great example of public buildings from the late 1800s.
Holland Post Office: The post office in Holland is another important historic building. It has been a central place for people to send and receive mail for many years, connecting the community to the rest of the world.
West Michigan Furniture Company Building: This building in Holland was once home to a furniture company. Michigan was famous for its furniture industry, and this building represents that important part of the state's history.

Churches and Community Life

Many historic sites in Ottawa County are churches. These buildings were often the heart of early communities, serving as places of worship, meeting spots, and centers for social life.

Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church: This church in Holland has been a spiritual home for many people over the years. It represents the strong religious traditions in the area.
Drenthe Christian Reformed Church: Located in Drenthe, this church is a reminder of the Dutch settlers who came to Michigan. Churches were very important to these early communities.
First Reformed Church: In Zeeland, this church was one of the first established by the Dutch settlers. It played a big role in the founding and growth of the city.
Hope Church: This church is part of Hope College in Holland. It shows the close connection between faith and education in the community's history.
Ninth Street Christian Reformed Church (also known as the Pillar Church): This church in Holland is very well-known. Its tall "pillar" steeple makes it a landmark, and it has been a central part of the community for a long time.

The distinctive Pillar Church in Holland.

Third Reformed Church of Holland: Another important church in Holland, it reflects the strong religious heritage of the area and the many different congregations that formed.
Vriesland Reformed Church: This church in Vriesland is another example of the religious centers established by early settlers, showing how faith helped shape these communities.

Education and Learning

Historic sites also include places where people learned and grew.

DeWitt Bicentennial One-Room School: This old schoolhouse in Spring Lake Township reminds us of a time when all grades learned together in one room. It shows how education was provided in rural areas long ago.

The historic DeWitt Bicentennial One-Room School.

Hope College: In Holland, Hope College is a historic site because it has been providing education for many years. It has helped shape countless lives and contributed to the community's growth.
Western Theological Seminary: Also in Holland, this seminary is a place where people study to become religious leaders. It has a long history of teaching and preparing people for service.

Important Moments and Places

Some historic sites mark important events or unique places that tell a bigger story about the area.

Black Lake Indian Village: Near Holland, this site marks where a Native American village once stood. It helps us remember the original inhabitants of this land and their history.
Blendon Landing Commemorative Designation: This spot on the Grand River in Blendon Township was an important landing point for boats. It shows how rivers were used for transportation and trade in early Michigan.
United States Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba Informational Designation: In Grand Haven, this site honors the Escanaba, a Coast Guard ship that was lost during World War II. It reminds us of the brave people who served our country.
Dutch in Michigan Informational Designation: This site in Holland celebrates the many Dutch immigrants who settled in this area. Their culture and traditions have greatly influenced Ottawa County.

A marker celebrating the Dutch heritage in Michigan.

First Church of Holland Settlers Informational Designation: Located in Pilgrim Home Cemetery in Holland, this site marks the location of the first church built by the early Dutch settlers. It's a very important place for understanding the beginnings of Holland.
Grand Haven Informational Designation: This site tells the story of Grand Haven itself, a city with a rich history as a port town and a popular resort area.
Holland Harbor Lighthouse / Holland Harbor: This famous lighthouse, often called "Big Red," stands at the entrance to Holland Harbor near Holland State Park. Lighthouses were crucial for guiding ships safely into port, and this one is a beloved symbol of the area.

The iconic Holland Harbor Lighthouse, also known as "Big Red."

New Groningen / Jan Rabbers Informational Designation: This site in Zeeland remembers the community of New Groningen and Jan Rabbers, one of its founders. It tells the story of another early Dutch settlement.
Port Sheldon Informational Designation: Near Holland, this site marks the location of a planned city that didn't quite succeed. It's an interesting story about early development attempts in Michigan.
Zeeland Colonists/Founding of Zeeland: This site celebrates the founding of Zeeland by Dutch colonists. It highlights the hard work and determination of the people who built this community.