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The Vincent, Richards and Idema families pose with their cottages on lots 20-17 in the summer of 1925. The Idema cottage has been reduced from three stories to two.
In 1902, Mary Idema’s Boarding House occupied lot 17 where Auburn Avenue met the railroad tracks. J. Boyd Pantlind convinced Ms. Idema to build and operate this boarding house as an overflow for the Hotel Ottawa. Within a year, Mr. Pantlind added the Annex to the hotel compound, and Ms. Idema never had a paying guest in her boarding house! The structure was later reduced to two stories following a fire. Click here for present day pictures of this cottage
This view of the boat houses lining the Black Lake shore Probably taken in August 1925 looking west from the future site of Baker’s dock.
August 16, 1925: the S.S. Indiana steams toward the channel. Photo probably taken from the attic window of the Idema/Johnson cottage.
The Holland Harbor Light Tower and Fog Signal Building in the winter of 1912. The Light Tower was later moved to Calumet
Baker’s boat extends from the left out into Lake Macatawa. Across the lake, the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club and Jesiek’s shipyard may be seen.
The history of Ottawa Beach Page 12N; James Johnson Archive page
