Singapore, Michigan facts for kids
Imagine a town that just disappeared, swallowed by sand! That's the story of Singapore, a ghost town in Michigan, USA. It was once a busy lumber town, but after its surrounding forests were cut down, strong winds blew sand from Lake Michigan right over it. Today, its ruins are buried under sand dunes near the Kalamazoo River in Saugatuck Township, close to the towns of Saugatuck and Douglas.
Singapore was started in 1836 by a man named Oshea Wilder. He dreamed of building a big port town, hoping it would become as important as Chicago or Milwaukee. At its busiest, Singapore had three mills, two hotels, several stores, and even a bank. It was also home to Michigan's very first schoolhouse! In total, the town had 23 buildings and two sawmills.
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Surviving the Great Blizzard
How Singapore Faced the 40-Day Blizzard
In 1842, a huge snowstorm, known as the 40-Day Blizzard, hit Singapore. It snowed so much that the town's people might have run out of food. Luckily, a ship called the Milwaukie crashed near the shore. This ship was full of barrels of flour. Many of these barrels washed up on the beach. The people of Singapore used this flour to bake bread and survive until the blizzard finally ended.
New Owners and Growth
Who Took Over Singapore?
Oshea Wilder left Singapore in 1846 and moved back to another part of Michigan. A new owner, James Carter from New York, bought Wilder's share of the town. He moved to Singapore to look after his new investment.
Just two years later, James Carter sold the town to his brother, Artemas, and a partner named Francis B. Stockbridge. Artemas was full of new ideas. Soon after arriving, he and Stockbridge built a special ship. It was the first three-masted schooner (a type of sailing ship) on Lake Michigan. They named it the Octavia. This ship helped carry lumber from Singapore to Chicago.
A Time of Prosperity for Singapore
In 1850, Stockbridge bought out Artemas Carter's share. The next ten years were very good for Stockbridge and the town. By 1871, Singapore had grown to a population of several hundred people. It was a busy and successful place.
The End of Singapore
Why Did Singapore Disappear?
In late 1871, huge fires swept through several cities, including Chicago, Holland, Peshtigo, and Manistee. These cities needed a lot of wood to rebuild. Because of this, almost all the trees around Singapore were cut down to supply lumber.
Without the trees to hold the soil and block the wind, the strong winds and sand from Lake Michigan began to blow over the town. The sand quickly covered the buildings. Within just four years, by 1875, the town was completely buried. Everyone had to leave Singapore.
Singapore's Legacy Today
Even though the town is gone, its name lives on. The Singapore Yacht Club, located nearby, is named after the lost town. Just like the famous story of the cow starting the Great Chicago Fire, Singapore's disappearance also created a legend. People say that one resident refused to leave his home, even as the sand piled up. He eventually had to use a second-floor window to get in and out. He stayed until the sand reached his roof!
