History Hike – September 19

Friday, 19 September 2025, 10:30 AM at the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area

Journey into history with us on a special hike co-sponsored by the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center! During this 3.5-mile walk through the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area, we will explore the rich history of the Kalamazoo River mouth between 1820 and 1920. This area was once a bustling hub for traders, settlers, and sailors.

We will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the north end of Oval Beach parking lot (at the end of Perryman Street in Saugatuck – here’s a map). Local expert Chris Clark will lead the two-hour trek, sharing information about early settlement, the old channel, lighthouses, piers, Fishtown, and even a shipwreck!

The hike will involve sandy terrain, some short climbs, and perhaps some mud. Please bring water and wear appropriate shoes. Sorry, dogs aren’t allowed in the Harbor Natural Area.

  • The wreck of the Condor, 1904
  • The old river mouth
  • Shriver's Bend
  • Fishtown, circa 1910
  • William Butler, early settler