Muskegon County

About Muskegon County

Hackley & Hume Historic Site

• The Hackley & Hume Historic Site preserves the homes of Muskegon's most famous lumber baron, Charles H. Hackley, and his business partner, Thomas Hume. The homes are considered some of the best examples of Queen Anne residential style architecture in the country.
• Charles H. Hackley (1837-1905) was worth twelve million dollars at the time of his death. He made his fortune in lumber, and when lumber declined, he administered the Chamber of Commerce program that rebuilt Muskegon into a center of industry. Hackley is best known for his philanthropic gifts to the City of Muskegon which include Hackley Public Library, Hackley Art Gallery (now named the Muskegon Muskegon Museum of Art), the Hackley School Administration Building, Hackley Park, and Hackley Hospital.

Michigan's Adventure, Muskegon

• Heritage Village includes the Muskegon Museum of Art, the Hackley Public Library, The Torrent House, The Hackley School, Hackley Park, the County Museum,the Scolnik House - A Historic House of the Depression Era, the Fire Barn Museum, and the Hackley and Hume Houses. All are in a four-block area. Guided walking tours are available.
• From 1941 until 1970 the Milwaukee Clipper carried thousands of passengers and their automobiles between Muskegon and Milwaukee. The ship operated year round between the years 1946 and 1963 and on a summer schedule only from 1964 through 1970. The Clipper became known as the "Queen of the Great Lakes" and is now being lovingly and painstakingly restored to her former glory.
• The Indian Cemetery, located on Morris Avenue between First and Second streets in Muskegon, is believed to have been used by the Ottawas as early as 1750. The cemetery served as a burial ground for both Indians and settlers from 1806 until 1854.

USS Silversides, Muskegon

• You can tour a World War II Submarine in Muskegon! The USS Silversides was commissioned into the U.S. Navy just eight days after the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The USS Silversides ranks the third highest among all World War II Submarines in ships sunk. No other ship scoring more tonnage sunk exists today, leaving Silversides as the nation's most famous surviving World War II submarine.

• The LST 393 is docked in Muskegon. LST stands for Landing Ship Tank. The USS LST 393 was commissioned on December 11, 1942 under her first commanding officer, Lt. John H. Halifax. She participated in three invasions in the Atlantic and Mediterranean and made 75 voyages to foreign shores. She carried more than 9,000 personnel (over half an Army Division) along with 3,200 vehicles.

Clinch Park, Muskegon

• From 1941 until 1970 the Milwaukee Clipper carried thousands of passengers and their automobiles between Muskegon and Milwaukee. The ship operated year round between the years 1946 and 1970. The Clipper became known as the "Queen of the Great Lakes" and is now being lovingly and painstakingly restored to her former glory.
• The Monet Garden of Muskegon is located at the corner of Clay Avenue and Fifth Street in beautiful downtown Muskegon. A local business woman had an idea which flourished into the beautiful gardens. The inspiration of the park was provided by the famous Monet Garden in Giverny, France.
• The White River Light Station, built in 1875, is a towering symbol of Michigan's maritime heritage. The building itself is made of Michigan limestone and brick. The first keeper of the light, Captain William Robinson, served for 47 years. This made him one of Michigan's eldest keepers.
• The historic Union Depot opened its doors for business on September 22, 1895. The masonry and sandstone walls are typical of the Richardsonian Romanesque style. Politicians William Jennings Bryan, Harry S. Truman, Richard M. Nixon and Al Gore have made speeches from the building's shadow. In 1990 the County of Muskegon obtained the building and restored it to its historic grandeur. The Depot was rededicated in 1996 and is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. The Depot is now the home of the Muskegon County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

WMTA Members in Muskegon County!