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Douglas, Michigan 49406
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Douglas is located on
Allegan County’s Lake Michigan coast line at the mouth of the
Kalamazoo River, just across the river from its sister city,
Saugatuck. This town
is supported mainly by tourism. Its historic main street includes Early
American style houses, unique gift shops and a town clock. A marina and
dock also can be accessed from the park on the river. Douglas began in 1851 when settler Jonathan Wade built the first house here. He named the town Dudleyville, after his brother from Canada. A short while later, a Wm. Dutcher purchased land, and officially platted it, naming it Dutchville. Later, Wade sold a portion of land to Dutcher in 1861 and the city was replatted and re-named again, apparently at the suggestion of other settlers, who had since moved there. Eventually, the name of Douglas was agreed upon, after the American statesman, Stephen A. Douglas, which was apparently decided on in a town meeting. It also appears, however, that Wade’s nephew, Col. Fred May, who came from Douglas on the Isle of Man, also suggested the same name. The most likely explanation for the name involved a combination of these two sources. The town was eventually incorporated as a village in 1870.
Photos courtesy of: Ken Huisjen
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