Douglas History

Douglas is a well preserved "Michigan lumber village" established in 1851 as a port for schooners and steamships carrying lumber, leather and fruit to Chicago and elsewhere in the Great Lakes area. Douglas is best known for it's basket factory, beautiful cottages, its baseball teams, and more recently for its fine old restored houses, shops, restaurants and charming streetscape. The old schoolhouse is one of the best-preserved public schoolhouses in Michigan and is a fine example of a mix of Italianate and Greek Revival architecture. See images of these and more to the left. Click on the images for a larger view.

• Join us in connecting to Douglas area history • 

the Douglas walking tour:	A self-guided tour of historic Douglas. Tour maps available at front of Village Hall on Center Street or at the Museum.
trolley tour of historic Douglas:	Each Thursday in August during the 'Douglas Socials'.
museum exhibitions:	The Saugatuck Douglas Museum is housed in the historic former Village of Saugatuck Pump House on the scenic west bank of the Kalamazoo River at the foot of Mt. Baldhead. The Museum mounts one major exhibition annually. This year's exhibit is titled, "Summertime ... A Century of Leisure at the Lake Michigan Shore". The exhibition focuses on ten thematic stories to represent the unfolding history of our vacation economy, told from the viewpoints of both the visitors drawn here to enjoy our environment and the local folks who work to ensure their satisfaction." The Museum is open Noon to 4pm daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and weekends in September and October. Admission is free and there is ample parking.
publications:	The Society's well-known award winning publications program has published many books documenting local history. Books are available at the Museum gift shop with more details on the Society's web site Publications page.
"tuesday talks"	Held weekly at the Old School House on Center Street in Douglas through July and August, the lectures are free and open to the public. Talks begin each Tuesday at 11am and center on local history.
monthly programs:	Programs are held the second Wednesday of every month at various locations in Saugatuck. Admission is free and refreshments are provided.
douglas history display:	Learn more about the history of Douglas. Local history display located in the conference room in the Douglas City Hall.

Content above provided by the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society.