SOUTH HAVEN RESORTS

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A 2018 color photo of Lake Michigan looking north. Clear lake water gently rolls on to a sandy beach. The beach curves from left to right toward the horizon. The blue sky has a few thin white clouds. Image Credit: Dan Spegel

South Haven is a popular summer vacation destination. Over the years, people have traveled by boat, train or automobile to reach the sandy shores of Michigan's west coast. The 1902 "South Haven Resort Directory" listed over 200 places – from hotels to private homes to farms – that welcomed tourists.

A postcard from the 1890s shows the Willow Beach Pavilion and Bath House. The three-story wooden structure is built into a sand dune. Three flights of stairs ascend from the beach to a balcony. Dozens of people dressed in everyday clothing or swimwear stand on the pavilion and balcony or sit on the beach. Image Credit: Dick Godfrey

A 1930s colortone illustrated postcard titled 'Central Court and Dining Room Barron's Resort-So. Haven, Michigan.' A long sidewalk surrounded by green lawn leads to a white two-story building in a courtyard bordered by buildings with red roofs and green-and-white-striped awnings. The lawn is dotted with white chairs and patio tables with red-and-white-striped umbrellas. Image Credit: Dick Godfrey

The back side of the postcard titled 'Central Court and Dining Room Barron's Resort-So. Haven, Michigan.' 'BARON'S RESORT. Most Modern Pleasure Resort in Michigan. Telephone Nos. 433 and 434. SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN. Private Baths-Hot and Cold Running Water. Hot and Cold Shower Baths. Finest Dining Room in Michigan. Dancing-Bathing-Golf-Tennis. Children's Playground-separate Dining Room for Children-Governess for Children. Concert Orchestra-Solariums for Men and Women. Private Beach for Guests-Free Bus Service- Social and Physical Director-Cabaret Entertainment.' Image Credit: Dick Godfrey

An early 1900s postcard shows the sun shining on two white cottages set among trees, a large lawn and ornamental shrubs. A wooden sign tacked on a tree reads 'Idle Hour Beach.' Image Credit: Dick Godfrey

The back of the postcard describes the resort's accommodations. In part: ‘IDLE HOUR BEACH is situated on the North Shore within 15 minutes walking distance of the boat landing, and being located on the edge of the bluff overlooking the lake affords a fine view of the entrance of the harbor…The beach is unsurpassed anywhere and entirely free from pebbles. It is ...is an idle spot for those desiring rest and recreation.' Image Credit: Dick Godfrey

An illustrated advertising card from the 1890s titled 'Hotel Fruitland South Haven, Mich.' pictures a large three-story hotel with a covered porch and two balconies. Hotel guests ride bikes, play tennis and enjoy the shade of large trees. Image Credit: Dick Godfrey

The back of an 1890s illustrated advertising card titled 'Hotel Fruitland South Haven, Mich.' Reads in part: 'Accommodates 150 Guests. Bathing, Dancing, Croquet, Bowling Alley, Tennis Court. 300 feet beach...Terms: $1.50 per day; $6.00 to $10.00 per week. Henry Doble, Proprietor.' Image Credit: Dick Godfrey

A 1930s black-and-white postcard titled 'South-Haven. Ed. Greenbaum Colonial Hotel and Cottages. By The Big Blue Waters.' pictures four cottages and the hotel, a two-story building with a covered porch and covered second floor balcony. Image Credit: Dick Godfrey

Undated postcard titled 'Tourist Camp, South haven. Mich.', Tall leafy fall trees form the backdrop for a white single-story building with a green roof and white picket fence off the covered front porch. A sign on the building reads 'Oakland Park Tea Room.' Image Credit: Dick Godfrey

South Haven's First Hotel

Built in 1853, Forrest House lodged short- and long-term guests and hosted political meetings, social events and religious services in its third-floor hall. Later moved to 313-315 Center Street, the building's wood siding and small windows can be seen in the photos below. The front was covered with a brick facade.

An 1850s black-and-white photograph of the Forrest House hotel. People stand on the porch and second-floor balcony. A third-floor balcony appears unfinished. The building is surrounded with cut tree stumps of varying sizes. Image Credit: Historical Association of South Haven

A 2018 color photo of the building previously known as the Forrest hotel. The building has been modified and sits between two other buildings. The hotel's third story windows and wood siding are seen through a leafless tree on Center Street. The modified building has a false front with ornate molding at the top, bay windows and a first-floor awning. There is no trace of the former balconies. Image Credit: Historical Association of South Haven

Avery Beach

Black-and-white photo of a bathing group standing in the water in front of the Avery Beach Hotel. Thirteen men and women clutching one another pose with smiles for the camera. Women wear dark bathing dresses with wide striped collars. The men wear long pants and short-sleeved collarless shirts. Avery Beach Hotel 1902. Image Credit: Historical Association of South Haven

The Avery Beach Hotel was built on North Shore Drive in the 1880s. Destroyed by fire in 1907, the Avery Beach Pavilion replaced it in 1913. Vacationers and locals enjoyed its dance hall. Known as the "Big Casino," it housed a movie theater. Its dance floor was later converted to a roller-skating rink. The building burned down in 1937.

A 1926 black-and-white photo of beach-goers at Casino Beach. Four women and one man stand on a sandy beach in a line, their hands on their hips or on the shoulders of the person in front of them. They face a photographer who is looking into a box camera. Avery Beach Pavillion. Image Credit: Historical Association of South Haven

An early 1900s black-and-white photo of the Avery Beach Pavilion. Facing Lake Michigan, the large three-story main section has an arched roof and windows running the length of the second floor. The two-story entrance to the building has a covered veranda on the second floor. Avery Beach Pavillion. Image Credit: Historical Association of South Haven

A 1920s black-and-white photo shows hundreds of people in the Avery Beach Pavilion dance hall. Couples in formal wear move on the dance floor, as musicians play on a stage under a 'Devils Ball' banner. Avery Beach Pavillion. Image Credit: Historical Association of South Haven

Mendelson's Atlantic Resort

A 1930s black-and-white picture of Mendelson's Atlantic Resort. The former mansion-turned-resort sits on a sandstone block foundation well above the street. Guests in formal afternoon attire sit on the porch. Image Credit: Historical Association of South Haven

In 1918, David and Eva Mendelson moved their family from Chicago to South Haven to open a small rooming house. David continued to work in Chicago while Eva managed their home and boarders. In 1920, they purchased a North Shore Drive mansion and converted it into Mendelson's Atlantic Resort, modeling it after similar properties found on the U.S. eastern seaboard. The family marketed to Jewish guests who faced discrimination elsewhere. They sold the property in 1972.

A 1930s postcard of the pool at Mendelson's Atlantic Resort. The illustration uses a technique known as colortone and has the appearance of vibrant watercolor. The illustration is of a concrete balcony overlooking a round pool surrounded by colorful lounge chairs and patio tables with umbrellas. The concrete pool deck meets up with and extends out over a dark blue Lake Michigan. Image Credit: Dick Godfrey

The back of the Mendelson's Atlantic Resort postcard reads in part: 'Located on the shore of beautiful Lake Michigan with delux accommodation and Air-Conditioned Dining Room. Our new pool pictured on the reverse side with Temperature Controlled Water is the finest in the Midwest.' Image Credit: Dick Godfrey

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