The Macatawa Story

‘Big Red’ refers to the two-story lighthouse that is situated on Lake Michigan’s shore near Lake Macatawa and further inland, the charming town of Holland characterized by windmills, wooden shoes, the magnificent may tulip festival and old world architecture. In 1859 the Rev. Albertus Van Rallte led his flock to the Holland area from the Netherlands to escape an intrusive government and doctrinal conflict within the dutch reformed church. He was intrigued by the area in part because he believed Lake Macatawa could become a thriving harbor if connected via a navigable waterway with the bigger lake. The industrious Dutch dug the channel themselves - 1.5 miles in length - after a formal request for support from the federal government was approved, but never funded. Once the channel was completed, Lake Macatawa and its surroundings flourished. Now having access, thousands of vessels made use of the harbor, which become a destination for commercial fisherman, steamers filled with tourists from Chicago, pleasure craft of newly arrived cottagers and a coast guard naval station.

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Due to the increase in traffic and often challenging weather conditions, particularly dense fog on the big lake, it soon became apparent that there was a critical need for a navigation aid that could guide traffic safely to the channel and the harbor beyond. In 1907 Big Red was completed and remained a crucial navigation aid until deactivation in 2002. Since that time, Big Red has become one of the most photographed lighthouses in Michigan and is greatly prized for its historical significance.

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Our founder spent many summers in the shadow of  Big Red, taking long walks on the beach with his younger brothers discussing life’s mysteries and other matters that command the attention of young boys. Their imaginations soared when they glimpsed massive ore boats and coast guard cutters  on the horizon. Where were they headed? And what lies beyond the vessels that we can’t see? The boys spent their days learning to swim, how to fish and filet a catch for dinner, and where to stand knee-high on a sand bar surrounded by deep water that was not there yesterday, and would disappear tomorrow. Making huge sand castles was an important pastime as was reading under an umbrella. Each summer experience ended for the boys with tans to show off at home, new swimming and fishing skills, new friends, and a lengthy completed reading list.

 

The role played by Big Red for almost 100 years in guiding newcomers to a place in America where they could realize their dreams has inspired adoption of the name ‘Macatawa’ by the foundation.