brochure
Catalog Number
T88-0351.1Dimensions
8" X 5.5" in.Description
Book style brochure, Ottawa Beach and Macatawa Park, A Cool Spot For A Hot Day. The green burlap looking brochure has photos framed in twine. Inside it says, "Being a short description of how this very desirable end may be achieved without great trouble or expense. Issued by the Passenger Department of the Pere Marquette Railroad. Season of nineteen hundred and three. H. F. Moeller, G.P.A., Detroit, Mich.". Inside it begins by sharing how Native Americans made their summer home on its shores. It goes on to share how Ottawa Beach is ideal being along Black Lake. It continues describing the natural surrounding with forest with a variety of trees and rich soil in which to grow many fruits and vegetables, while listing the benefits of these attributes. It continues explaining about a variety of comfortable and inexpensive summer homes that are built in the area where some owners live from six to eight months of the year. It then talks about the hotels for those who cannot afford summer homes. The largest of the hotels is Hotel Ottawa, under the management of J. Boyd Pantlind of Grand Rapids. Under Patlind's management is known as the best resort hotels in the country. The modern hotel has accommodations for 1,000 guests.Across the bay is Hotel Macatawa, which houses 300 guests. The kitchen is separate from the dining room with is an appreciated feature in warm weather. Near the Hotel Macatawa is a casino, canoes, sail and power-boats to rent.
The brochure continues to share information about the Virginia Park Hotel, about a mile up from Ottawa Beach. This hotel can house 200 guests in the hotel and adjoining cottages. At the time of printing the hotel was managed by Mr. P. T. McCarthy. Surrounding the Virginia Park Hotel are beautiful hardwood trees. The brochure gives information for readers interested in purchasing property in the area.
The brochure explains the popularity of the area is in large part due to the excellent transportation by the Pere Marquette Railroad and Graham & Morton Transportation Co. It finishes by pointing out the white sand bathing beach, golf, rowing, and sailing in the area. It also mentions drives inland to the Kalamazoo River and the quaint towns of Saugatuck and Douglas(s). Scattered among the description are many sketches of the sites being shared.