card, greeting
Catalog Number
2023.45.12Description
Greeting card, on white paper, with pen and ink drawing of the Hotel Macatawa on the front. Drawing by local resident and artist Winfred Blacklock.History
The Hotel Macatawa, built on Lake Macatawa (in Macatawa, MI) opened in 1895. It was razed in 1956. The Hotel changed management in 1945, when Simon Den Uyl purchased the resort properties. Den Uyl then had the hotel redecorated. A May 19, 1948 advertisement from the Holland Sentinel describes the Hotel Macatawa as "a modern hotel service, in a high class community". The ad goes on to say "Hotel Macatawa-is staffed for courteous service to a refined clientele-those who enjoy gracious living.". In 1946, there was room in the hotel for 250 guests.Items in accession 2023.45 focus on the history of Macatawa Park (in Park Township, a few miles southwest of Holland, MI) . They are from the collection of Art Tazelaar, gathered over the course of his lifetime. Art was born in Grand Rapids, MI in 1913 to John J. Tazelaar (1868–1957) and Gertrude C Lopperson (1880–1961).
The US Census shows that the Tazelaar family had moved to Macatawa Park by 1920. By 1940 (US Census), Art had begun working as the postmaster here, a position he held up to 1980. He also worked at a hardware store in Macatawa Park.
Art married Janet Virginia Wierda on 4-15-1941 in Grand Rapids, MI.
the Blacklocks
John G. Blacklock was born on 9-15-1893 in Rhode Island, he passed away in Holland, MI on 4-3-1971. On 8-3-1946 John married Winifred Littell in Ohio.
Winfred was born 11-18-1890 in Iowa. She died 2-21-1974 in Macatawa Park. Winifred was a school teacher in Detroit, MI for 36 years.
Winifred's family owned a cottage in Macatawa Park where she spent her summers while growing up. The Blacklock's continued to summer in Macatawa until 1961, when they became year-round residents.
John was an avid photographer. During WW2 he was chief of Vultee Aircraft photo labs. Winifred enjoyed painting.