South Haven, Michigan

Infobox Settlement
official_name = South Haven, Michigan
settlement_type = City


imagesize =
image_caption =
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Van Buren County & Allegan County in the state of Michigan


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = Counties
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Michigan
subdivision_name2 = Van Buren, Allegan
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Dorothy Appleyard
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 9.0
area_total_sq_mi = 3.5
area_land_km2 = 9.0
area_land_sq_mi = 3.5
area_water_km2 = 0.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.4
elevation_ft = 614
elevation_m = 187
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 5021
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 560.7
population_density_sq_mi = 1452.3
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
latd = 42 |latm = 24 |lats = 11 |latNS = N
longd = 86 |longm = 16 |longs = 25 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 49090
area_code = 269
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 26-74980GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0638363 [gnis|0638363]
footnotes =
website =

South Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city is in Van Buren County, although a small portion extends into Allegan County. The population was 5,021 at the 2000 census.

Due to its position on Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Black River, South Haven has always been a port city. During settlement, major ship lines stopped there, both passenger and freight. In the early 1900s South Haven became a resort town, sometimes referred to as "The Catskills of the Midwest." Though small ones remain, the large resorts are now gone, as are the shipping lines. South Haven is still a major regional tourist draw because of its recreational harbor and beaches. It is the western terminus of the Kal-Haven Trail, popular with bicyclists and snowmobilers. Nearby are Van Buren State Park and the Van Buren Trail State Park.

Noted botanist Liberty Hyde Bailey was born in South Haven. His childhood home was presented to the city in the 1930s, and is now a museum. [http://www.south-haven.com/csh%20folder/csh/Pages/History.html]

History

In 1833, the U.S. government granted J.R. Monroe a land patent for 65 acres of land along the shore of Lake Michigan. In the 1850s the first permanent settlers arrived, and in 1869, the City of South Haven was founded. It was around this time that a sawmill was built, and its arrival brought with it the construction of a hotel (The Forest House, at the corner of Phoenix and Center Streets, no longer a hotel, building subsequently moved a few doors south, still standing, greatly modified) a school, homes, and stores. [http://www.south-haven.com/csh%20folder/csh/Pages/History.html]

The timber harvested in South Haven was shipped to Chicago and Milwaukee via steamboats and schooners, and the cleared forests were then used by fruit farmers. The farming industry created many jobs in the area, and the city began to boom. Around the early 1900s, theaters, a casino, an opera house, an amusement park, and many resorts contributed to a rise in popularity of the city. Being a resort city resulted in a seasonal economy however, and in an effort to stabilize the economy, the city's board of trade successfully recruited several different industries to the area. [http://www.south-haven.com/csh%20folder/csh/Pages/History.html]

In 1925, the first foreign shipments of goods arrived, beginning an era of foreign shipments that would last until the mid-1960s.Fact|date=February 2007 The last passenger steamboat left South Haven for Chicago on Labor Day, 1941, though recreational boating increased steadily. In the 1950s and 1960s several new factories came to the area, and although the resort businesses in the area began to flounder, the resorts that remained grew stronger. [http://www.south-haven.com/csh%20folder/csh/Pages/History.html]

In 1969, "The Centennial Celebration and Blueberry Festival" took place, and the city's 64-slip marina was dedicated. To this day the Blueberry Festival continues to draw many visitors to the city. Other events, such as the art shows and 4th of July fireworks display remain very popular. The beaches, boating and relaxing atmosphere will continue to ensure that the City of South Haven remains a popular warm-weather destination. The South Pier Lighthouse, established in 1872, present lighthouse installed in 1903 and still operational, is accessible from a public beach.

South Haven is home to a public school district as well as Roman Catholic and Lutheran parochial grammar schools. In addition, Western Michigan University and Lake Michigan College, a junior college, have branch campuses located within the city.

Geography

), of which, 3.5 square miles (9.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (1.15%) is water.

Architecture

The Scott Club on Phoenix St. was designed by South Haven architect John Cornelius Randall and constructed in 1891. The club house has two large stained glass windows of Sir Walter Scott and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The South Haven Center for the Arts is housed in the 1906 neoclassical Carnegie Library, also on Phoenix St.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 5,021 people, 2,095 households, and 1,330 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,452.3 per square mile (560.3/km²). There were 2,979 housing units at an average density of 861.6/sq mi (332.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.75% White, 12.83% African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 1.04% from other races, and 1.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.33% of the population.

There were 2,095 households out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,885, and the median income for a family was $46,307. Males had a median income of $37,089 versus $25,486 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,396. About 7.8% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.2% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

Cultural Attractions

South Haven offers an interesting array of cultural attractions. The Michigan Maritime Museum, host of the tall ship Friends Good Will, is perhaps its most famous. The Historical Association of South Haven, which now operates out of the old Hartman School, which it is refurbishing, is devoted to documenting and retelling the city's rich history.

On Eagle Street, there's Foundry Hall, formerly the Blue Star Music Camp, which brings live music and entertainment to the city and its visitors.

The Michigan Flywheelers Museum allows visitors to experience the life of early local farmers. Attractions include exhibits of antique flywheel engines and tractors, an old town area with an old jail, farm machinery shop and an exhibit building called "The Farm History Building".

During the winter months the city's ice rink is open, which brings much enjoyment to many people. There is a daily fee for entrance and for rental skates, and also season passes are available.

References

External links

* [http://www.southhaven.org South Haven Visitors Bureau]
* [http://www.shwatchdog.com South Haven Watchdog]
* [http://www.southhavenmi.com Greater South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.south-haven.com The City of South Haven]
* [http://www.michiganflywheelers.org The Michigan Flywheelers Museum]
* [http://www.southhaven.com South Haven, Michigan Area Guide]