Saugatuck, Michigan

Saugatuck, Michigan
Saugatuck Engine House
Saugatuck Engine House
Official logo of Saugatuck, Michigan
Location of Saugatuck, Michigan
Location of Saugatuck, Michigan
Coordinates: 42°39′26″N 86°12′9″W / 42.65722°N 86.20250°W / 42.65722; -86.20250
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyAllegan
Incorporated1868
Area
 • Total
1.77 sq mi (4.58 km2)
 • Land1.39 sq mi (3.60 km2)
 • Water0.38 sq mi (0.98 km2)
Elevation
594 ft (181 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
865
 • Density621.85/sq mi (240.02/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
49453
Area code269
FIPS code26-71700[2]
GNIS feature ID0637271[3]
Websitewww.saugatuckcity.com
View of downtown Saugatuck and the Kalamazoo River from atop Mt. Baldhead

Saugatuck (/ˈsɔːɡəˈtʌk/ SAW-gə-tuck) is a city in Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 865 at the 2020 census. The city is within Saugatuck Township, but is administratively autonomous.

Originally a lumber town and port, Saugatuck, along with the adjacent city of Douglas, became a noted art colony and tourist destination in the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century. In the early 20th century, Saugatuck was home to the famous Big Pavilion, a large dance hall that attracted bands and visitors from across the Midwest. The building was a popular destination on Lake Michigan from its construction in 1909 until it burned down on May 6, 1960.[4]

Today, tourists are drawn to the art galleries, harbor, marinas, scenery, unusual stores, the view from atop Mount Baldhead, and tourist attractions as well as Oval Beach on Lake Michigan, which enjoys a worldwide reputation.[5] Nearby are Saugatuck Dunes State Park and Allegan State Game Area as is the city of Holland. Saugatuck is known as a popular vacation destination for the LGBT+ community with similar cultural attributes as Fire Island Pines and Provincetown, Massachusetts.[6]

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  2. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 27, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Saugatuck, Michigan
  4. ^ Hilton, George W. (2002). Lake Michigan Passenger Steamers. Stanford University Press. p. 239. ISBN 9780804742405. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2016 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Tuff, Sarah. "Great American Beach Towns". Concierge.com. p. 5. Archived from the original on May 19, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  6. ^ "Saugatuck Named One of the 10 Hottest Gay Destinations". Saugatuck/Douglas, MI. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.