Dutch in Michigan Historical Marker - Holland, MI
N 42° 47.243 W 086° 06.482
16T E 572953 N 4737590
This historical marker is located in the Centennial Park in Holland, MI.
Waymark Code: WM375R
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 02/21/2008
Views: 38
From the Wayne State University Press review of Albertus C. Van Raalte: Dutch Leader and American Patriot:
"In 1845 and 1846, potato blight ruined the Netherlands' entire harvest of potatoes, causing long-lasting economic decline and poverty and leading many poor and middle-class Dutch to consider emigration to North America. Deeply affected by continuous hardship and suffering, Van Raalte and his followers emigrated to the United States in 1846. In 1847 Van Raalte founded Holland, Michigan, and nine years later founded Hope College. More than 150 years ago, Van Raalte and a small band of followers arrived in a desolate, snow-covered forest. Today, the city and the college he founded there continue to thrive."
Historical Date: 02/09/1847
Historical Name: Albertus C. Van Raalte
Description: DUTCH IN MICHIGAN On February 9, 1847, the Reverend Albertus C. Van Raalte and a band of Hollanders founded the city of Holland. Within two years the other four original colonies--Graafschap, Zeeland, Vriesland, Overisel--had also been established. Plagued by illness and not accustomed to the task of clearing a wilderness, the settlers found their first year a hard one, but their suffering was to be repaid in the bountiful days ahead.
Parking nearby?: yes
D/T ratings:
website: [Web Link]
Registered Site #: 89
|
Visit Instructions:Take a photo of your GPS at the marker. We'd prefer a photo of you with your GPS, but we realize that sometimes that's just not possible or preferable.
Also include a bit about your visit to the marker.
NEW: Instructions for logging Missing Marker Visits.
If the Marker is missing, but still listed here, you must provide a photo of you at the actual item historically honored. (This should be the waymark's "default" image). Indicate in your log that you took your photo at the Historical Location instead of the marker, because the marker was missing. Please also still include a bit about your visit to the site.
|