South Haven, Michigan

Prior to colonization by white settlers, the area was inhabited at different times by Potawatomi and Iroquois native people. In 1833, the U.S. government granted Jay 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 early in the decade the first steam sawmills were built on the Black River. About this time, the settlement gained its first merchant, physician, lawyer, and minister, and the first schoolhouse was built. The first bank was organized in 1867. South Haven was incorporated as a village in 1869, and as a city in 1902.Rowland, Oran W. (1912). [https://books.google.com/books?id=9iHiAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA609 A History of Van Buren County, Michigan], Vol. I, pp. 609–13. The Lewis Publishing Company. South Haven was named in relation to nearby Grand Haven.{{cite book | last = Romig | first = Walter | year = 1986 | title = Michigan Place Names | orig-year= 1973 | publisher = Wayne State University Press | location = Detroit, Michigan | isbn = 0-8143-1838-X|page=525}}

In 1853, the first hotel in South Haven, known as the Forest House, was built at the corner of Phoenix and Center Streets.Brower, C. De W. (1898). [https://books.google.com/books?id=qkniAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA173 "Historical Sketch of South Haven"]. In South Haven City Directories, p. 173. Van Buren County (Mich.) The building was subsequently moved a few doors south and still stands, though greatly modified, and no longer used as a hotel.

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, who primarily grew peaches, blueberries and apples. 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.

File:Chicago Mail Boat Postcard 1910 (Front).png

In 1925, the first foreign shipments of goods arrived,Michigan Maritime Museum (2004). Maritime South Haven: 1900–1950, p. 21. Arcadia Publishing. beginning an era of foreign shipments that would last until the mid-1960s.{{Citation needed|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.

In 1970, "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 Ice Breaker Festival, Harborfest, the art shows and Fourth 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, built in 1903 to replace the light established in 1872,Berger, Todd R. (2010). [https://books.google.com/books?id=zIWlTXcK2LoC&pg=PA139 Lighthouses of the Great Lakes], p. 139. Voyageur Press. is still operational, and 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. The city has annexed portions of South Haven Township, Van Buren County and a small portion of Casco Township, Allegan County.

Image:South-haven-census.jpgAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|3.50|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|3.40|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.10|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2012-11-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }} The surrounding area is known as South Haven Charter Township, and as yet is unincorporated.

{{clear}}

According to the Köppen climate classification, South Haven borders on a maritime and continental influenced climate, having a microclimate. The extreme western ends are classified as oceanic (Cfb), while the inner parts of the city border on a hot-summer continental climate (Dfa), with moderation by Lake Michigan. The summers are hot and humid, while the winters are mild and cold with frequent thaws.

{{Weather box

| width = auto

| collapsed = yes

| single line = yes

| location = South Haven, Michigan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1905–2019)

| Jan record high F = 67

| Feb record high F = 71

| Mar record high F = 81

| Apr record high F = 89

| May record high F = 97

| Jun record high F = 100

| Jul record high F = 99

| Aug record high F = 99

| Sep record high F = 97

| Oct record high F = 90

| Nov record high F = 78

| Dec record high F = 71

| year record high F = 100

| Jan high F = 33.5

| Feb high F = 35.8

| Mar high F = 44.8

| Apr high F = 56.1

| May high F = 67.7

| Jun high F = 75.9

| Jul high F = 80.0

| Aug high F = 79.1

| Sep high F = 73.7

| Oct high F = 62.2

| Nov high F = 49.2

| Dec high F = 38.6

| year high F = 58.1

| Jan mean F = 27.8

| Feb mean F = 29.8

| Mar mean F = 37.4

| Apr mean F = 47.7

| May mean F = 58.5

| Jun mean F = 67.8

| Jul mean F = 72.8

| Aug mean F = 71.6

| Sep mean F = 65.5

| Oct mean F = 54.9

| Nov mean F = 42.7

| Dec mean F = 33.3

| year mean F = 50.8

| Jan low F = 22.1

| Feb low F = 23.9

| Mar low F = 29.9

| Apr low F = 39.3

| May low F = 49.4

| Jun low F = 59.6

| Jul low F = 65.6

| Aug low F = 64.0

| Sep low F = 57.2

| Oct low F = 47.5

| Nov low F = 36.2

| Dec low F = 27.9

| year low F = 43.5

| Jan record low F = -14

| Feb record low F = -22

| Mar record low F = -4

| Apr record low F = 7

| May record low F = 24

| Jun record low F = 35

| Jul record low F = 39

| Aug record low F = 37

| Sep record low F = 26

| Oct record low F = 15

| Nov record low F = -10

| Dec record low F = -12

| year record low F = -22

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 2.71

| Feb precipitation inch = 2.04

| Mar precipitation inch = 2.25

| Apr precipitation inch = 3.58

| May precipitation inch = 3.91

| Jun precipitation inch = 3.73

| Jul precipitation inch = 3.16

| Aug precipitation inch = 3.70

| Sep precipitation inch = 3.19

| Oct precipitation inch = 3.89

| Nov precipitation inch = 2.68

| Dec precipitation inch = 2.38

| year precipitation inch = 37.22

|Jan snow inch = 29.7

|Feb snow inch = 14.4

|Mar snow inch = 6.6

|Apr snow inch = 1.5

|May snow inch = 0

|Jun snow inch = 0

|Jul snow inch = 0

|Aug snow inch = 0

|Sep snow inch = 0

|Oct snow inch = 0.5

|Nov snow inch = 8.6

|Dec snow inch = 24.6

|year snow inch= 85.9

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 7.3

|Feb precipitation days = 5.1

|Mar precipitation days = 7.7

|Apr precipitation days = 10.4

|May precipitation days = 11.2

|Jun precipitation days = 8.6

|Jul precipitation days = 7.7

|Aug precipitation days = 8.5

|Sep precipitation days = 9.8

|Oct precipitation days = 11.3

|Nov precipitation days = 10.1

|Dec precipitation days = 7.8

|year precipitation days= 105.4

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 6.9

|Feb snow days = 5.4

|Mar snow days = 1.3

|Apr snow days = 0.4

|May snow days = 0

|Jun snow days = 0

|Jul snow days = 0

|Aug snow days = 0

|Sep snow days = 0

|Oct snow days = 0

|Nov snow days = 0.7

|Dec snow days = 6.7

|year snow days= 21.5

| source = NOAA (precipitation days, snowfall, snow days 1981–2010){{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=grr

|title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = April 2, 2024}}{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00207690&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = April 2, 2024}}

{{cite web

|url = http://www.nws.noaa.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=grr

|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data

|publisher= National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = 2012-08-18

}}

}}

Image:Scott Club from Phoenix Street.jpg

Image:South Haven Center for the Arts.jpg

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 portraying 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.

The Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum is housed in the birth-site home of Liberty Hyde Bailey Jr. This Greek Revival farmhouse is one of the oldest houses in South Haven.

File:Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum.jpg

{{clear}}

{{US Census population

|1860= 308

|1870= 1576

|1880= 1442

|1890= 1924

|1900= 4009

|1910= 3577

|1920= 3829

|1930= 4804

|1940= 4745

|1950= 5629

|1960= 6149

|1970= 6471

|1980= 5943

|1990= 5563

|2000= 5021

|2010= 4403

|2020= 3964

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}2020 Census

As of the census of 2020, there were 3,964 people, 1,935 households, and 1,302 families residing in the city. There were 3,560 housing units of which 54.4% were occupied and 45.6% were vacant.

The racial makeup of the city was 76.7% White, 12.5% Black or African American, 0.9% American Indian & Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, 2.4% from other races, and 6.8% from two or more races.

There were 1,935 households out of which 28% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city the population was spread out with 17.9% under the age of 20, 3.9% from 20 to 24, 16.7% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 32.74% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56.2 years.

The median income for a household in the city in 2022 was $58,043. The per capita income for the city was $45,398.

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-11-25}} of 2010, there were 4,403 people, 1,959 households, and 1,126 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1295.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 3,346 housing units at an average density of {{convert|984.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 81.7% White, 13.3% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.8% of the population.

There were 1,959 households, of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.5% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.80.

The median age in the city was 47.7 years. 20.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.1% were from 25 to 44; 30.2% were from 45 to 64; and 22.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.9% male and 55.1% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,021 people, 2,095 households, and 1,330 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,452.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,979 housing units at an average density of {{convert|861.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. 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.

Image:EvelynS.jpg

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 Michigan Maritime Museum also hosts an electrically powered river launch called the Lindy Lou. River launch boats were used in the 1890s to the 1930s to ferry passengers up the Black River to various resorts and parks. Visitors are able to buy tickets to ride either ship – the Lindy Lou stays on the river, while the Friends Good Will goes down the river and onto Lake Michigan.

The [https://historyofsouthhaven.org/ 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.

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. There is a daily fee for entrance and for rental skates, and also season passes are available.

• Liberty Hyde Bailey, co-founder of American Society for Horticultural Science and considered the Father of Modern Horticulture
• Nate Barnes, country music singer
• Pamela Carter, Indiana Attorney General (1993–1997)
• Dave Gumpert, professional baseball player
• Wendy Anderson Halperin, children's book illustrator and author
• Cindy Hill, winner of 1974 U.S. Women's Amateur and two-time winner on LPGA Tour
• Becky Johnston, Academy Award-nominated screenwriter of The Prince of Tides
• Drakkar Klose, Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter
• Mark Lenard, Star Trek actor known for playing Spock's father
• Daniel K. Ludwig, shipping magnate and #1 on first Forbes list of 400 Richest Americans in 1982
• James McCloughan, Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient
• Kennedy McIntosh, professional basketball player
• Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's Wife
• Joseph P. Overton, political scientist, author of the Overton window concept
• Jeffrey R. Riemer, retired United States Air Force major general
• Art Walker, professional football player
• Kaliesha West, professional boxer
• D'arcy Wretzky, former bass player of The Smashing Pumpkins
• J.C. Hartsfield, co-founder of Heartsfield

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120121072833/http://www.south-haven.com/pages/history.html South Haven history]

{{Commons category|South Haven, Michigan}}

• [http://www.south-haven.com The City of South Haven]
• [http://www.southhavenmi.com Greater South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce]

{{Allegan County, Michigan}}

{{Van Buren County, Michigan}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|42|24|11|N|86|16|25|W|type:city_region:US-MI|display=title}}

Category:Cities in Van Buren County, Michigan

Category:Cities in Allegan County, Michigan

Category:Michigan populated places on Lake Michigan

Category:Kalamazoo–Portage metropolitan area

Category:Populated places established in 1869

Category:1869 establishments in Michigan