The entire contents of this internet document are Copyright 2003 by the Ottawa Beach Historic Committee.
Website designed, written and constructed by Dan Aument
Arthur S. Fowle leased the land at the top of Old Baldhead and in 1909 he built the Angel’s Flight lookout. In this view to the south west (from the Ottawa Beach Hotel) the Macatawa Hotel is at the left and Angel’s Flight in in the upper right corner of the picture.
The history of Ottawa Beach - Page 18A - Angel’s Flight lookout
The Angel’s Flight pavilion was 30 by 60 feet with big windows on all sides. The pavilion and deck hosted dances as well as sight seers.
The caption on this postcard photographed from Angel’s Flight postmarked 1906 reads, “This is the resort across the lake from where we are. Five Dollars per day.”
The “front yard” of the Macatawa Hotel is at the lower right in this view from Angel’s Flight. Note the two car Interurban trolley at the lower left. Following the demolition of the Macatawa Hotel in the late 1950’s, this area was developed as Pointe West, a restaurant and motel complex. Click here for photos of Pointe West.
Compare this 1909 postcard taken from Angel’s Flight with the 1906 card (above): the long Interurban dock has been built to provide dockage for steam ships.
This postcard must have been taken on Angel Flight’s opening day, August 14, 1909 (note the flowers and potted plants on the platform). The summit was reached by an inclined cog railway. Angel’s Flight prospered until about 1922
