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Ludington’s 150th Anniversary Marked with Events All Year

'Love Ludington' weekend June 9 features street party, fireworks

By Kathy Gibbons

Ludington is known for its harbor and history. CREDIT PURE LUDINGTON

It’s been exactly 150 years since the city of Ludington was founded. This year, the community marks Ludington’s 150th anniversary with events scheduled throughout 2023.

“Ludington was built from the woods and continues to thrive today on the water,” says Rebecca Berringer, executive director of the Mason County Historical Society, discussing Ludington’s 150th anniversary plans. “Our lumber barons are the angels of Ludington—what they created and left behind allows us to be who we are today.”

Ludington’s 150th anniversary celebration includes events focused on the community’s history. Fourteen lumber mills once operated on the shores of Pere Marquette Lake in Ludington. CREDIT Mason County Historical Society

The home of Ottawa Indians for centuries, Ludington’s 150th anniversary has its roots in the mid 1600s, when French missionary Father Jacques Marquette first visited. By the 1800s, settlers came because of its virgin pine forest and prime location at the mouth of the Pere Marquette River where it empties into Lake Michigan. James Ludington was among the lumber barons who set up what were eventually 14 mills on the shores of Pere Marquette Lake. He also was responsible for developing the area. In 1873, the town of Pere Marquette was renamed Ludington. Even after the lumber mills had all closed, the city’s proximity to water helped pave the way for other industries to thrive and it became an important Great Lakes port.

Brandy Miller, executive director of the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, says her organization has been working hand in hand with the city and a variety of community organizations to plan Ludington’s 150th anniversary events throughout the year.

“In my role—I also am the president and CEO for our chamber (of commerce) and our chamber also manages our downtown development authority as well, so we’ve kind of got our hands in a lot of different areas as to how it relates to the 150th,” Miller says. “We’ve been involved in brainstorming, I’m going to say, since early fall of last year all the way through to now planning some of the bigger portions of the events.”

A family walks on a breakwater connecting to one of Ludington’s lighthouses. Local officials hope Ludington’s 150th anniversary celebration is an attraction for visitors, most of whom tend to come from Michigan. CREDIT Pure Ludington

Those planned for Ludington’s 150th anniversary so far include a kickoff “Love Ludington” weekend June 9 with a street party including live music, street vendors, and fireworks; Sesquicentennial Concert featuring the Scottville Clown Band June 14; Maritime Heritage Day Aug. 12 with a historic presentation, walking tours, and discounts on Port of Ludington Maritime Museum ticket prices; a Cemetery Walk Aug. 26 featuring first-person interpreters representing some of the city’s most significant early residents; “Trial of the Century: Mason County Style” Sept. 23 at Historic White Pine Village with actors reenacting a case from local history; and a Sesquicentennial Ball Oct. 7 at  Stearns hotel, a historical society fundraiser. Other activities could include art exhibitions, history tours, and contests. A complete list of events can be found at Ludington150.com.

“150 years—it’s certainly important to mark the occasion,” Miller says. “It’s the historical kind of milestone for our community. It’s a good time for us to reflect on the history of our community and how we’ve gotten to where we are today. And it feels good that we’re able to come together and be back together after a few years of things not being on the calendar. It feels really good to come together as a community.”

Miller notes that the area has fared well in terms of travel and tourism since 2019. “We bounced back quickly,” she says. “We had record years for travel in 2021 and 2022 … we saw a lot of in-state visitation. It (Michigan travelers) continues to be our main source.”

Now local leaders hope visitors come out for Ludington’s 150th anniversary celebration. “On our end, it’s just further exposure for Ludington, trying to make sure people know about the opportunities that are here for families and couples, and all the different things that are here,” says Miller, adding, “It’s a good time for us to reflect on the history of our community and how we’ve gotten to where we are today.”

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