Historical marker rededicated at Ottawa Beach to honor Big Red's overlooked history

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]When you come to Ottawa Beach, you're used to seeing the beach, Lake Michigan, and of course that iconic lighthouse Big Red. But now when you come to the beach, you're going to be seeing this, a new revised historical marker. So I hereby rededicate this marker.

[00:00:15]Thank you everybody.

[00:00:17]Today, the Holland Harbor Lighthouse Historical Commission, along with several others, unveiled this new marker. Led by Michelle Davis of the Michigan History Center and Maritime Historian Valerie Van Heest, these revisions on the marker brought to light long overlooked historical details and inaccuracies that have been part of the marker since 1987. Now some of those changes include the stories of Native American tribes that called this beach home for generations. The marker also talks about lighthouse construction and keeper history. We spoke to Holland Mayor Nathan Box about the importance of this marker and the history of Holland.

[00:00:48]Our founders, my ancestors, were not the first people here. There was already a band of Ottawa Indians that were living here. And I think that that's really important for us to recognize that history and that tradition and the culture. Holland is an incredible melting pot of people and cultures, and I think it's important for us to recognize that and celebrate that every single day.