Wabaningo, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wabaningo, Michigan
|
|
|---|---|
 Wabaningo, Michigan
Location in Michigan
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Muskegon |
| Township | Fruitland |
| Elevation | 623 ft (190 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 231 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1615639 |
Wabaningo is a small, quiet community in Michigan. It's not a city or town with its own government. Instead, it's part of Fruitland Township in Muskegon County. This community is special because it sits right where White Lake connects to the much larger Lake Michigan.
Contents
History of Wabaningo
Wabaningo is now a popular place for vacations. But long ago, in the 1700s, it was home to the Grand River Band of the Ottawa people.
How Wabaningo Got Its Name
This area was first known as Sylvan Beach. Later, in 1897, a post office opened here. It was named Wabaningo. This name came from an Ottawa leader named Wabiwindego. A man named Charles Mears, who founded Whitehall, met Wabiwindego here in 1837.
The Post Office Story
The Wabaningo post office was a bit unusual. For many years, it only opened during the summer months. It operated this way from 1897 until 1999, with a few breaks. In 1954, it became a branch of the Whitehall post office. Today, you can't use "Wabaningo" as a mailing address. However, "Sylvan Beach" is still accepted if you use the Whitehall ZIP code 49461.
White River Light Station
Wabaningo is also home to the White River Light station. This includes a historic lighthouse that was built in 1875. Today, the lighthouse is a small museum. You can visit it to learn about lighthouses and the history of sailing in the area. Inside, you can even see the original Fresnel lens that helped guide ships.
