1981 Map of Saugatuck

About this map

The harbor towns of Saugatuck and Douglas anchor this 1981 survey of the Lake Michigan shoreline, where the Kalamazoo River meets the dunes. The landscape is defined by the legacy of early industry and modern conservation, featuring the site of Singapore, a notable lumber town largely buried by shifting sands near the river mouth. The geography transitions from the steep lakefront bluffs of Mt Baldhead and Pelican Peak to the sheltered waters of Kalamazoo Lake and Douglas Bayou. Inland, the map documents the Michigan Dunes State Correctional Facility and established community spaces like Gibson Cem. The presence of an Old RR Grade and the Blue Star Memorial Highway reflects the area's evolution from a timber-and-transit hub into a coastal destination, preserving landmarks like the Old Saugatuck Light House.