Whitehall is a city in Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,706 at the 2010 census. The city is located in the southwest corner of Whitehall Township. Montague is its neighbor.
It is located on White Lake (actually the mouth of the White River on Lake Michigan). Whitehall's recorded history began circa 1859 when Charles Mears, a noted lumber baron to the area, platted the village along with Giles B. Slocum, naming it Mears. The population continued to grow due to its strategic location for floating and distributing lumber.
In 1862, it was renamed Whitehall and incorporated as the Village of Whitehall in 1867. It later was incorporated as a city in 1942.
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Geography
The town is located about 5 miles (8.0 km) from Lake Michigan. White Lake is now connected to Lake Michigan by a dredged canal.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.79 square miles (9.82 km2), of which 3.12 square miles (8.08 km2) is land and 0.67 square miles (1.74 km2) is water.
White River runs between the cities of Whitehall and Montague. The White River is nearly twenty-four miles in length and passes through White Lake before emptying into Lake Michigan. In 1675, Father Pere Marquette stopped in the area and learned that the Native Americans called the stream "Wabish-Sippe," meaning the river with white clay in the water, which gave rise to the names of White River and White Lake.
White Lake Assisted Living Video
Major highways
- US 31
Bus. US 31 is a business loop through the downtowns of both Whitehall and Montague.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,706 people, 1,153 households, and 678 families residing in the city. The population density was 867.3 inhabitants per square mile (334.9/km2). There were 1,288 housing units at an average density of 412.8 per square mile (159.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.0% White, 1.4% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.7% of the population.
There were 1,153 households of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.4% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.2% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.89.
The median age in the city was 42.9 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.9% were from 25 to 44; 26.6% were from 45 to 64; and 20.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.8% male and 54.2% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,884 people, 1,165 households, and 739 families residing in the city. The population density was 960.0 per square mile (371.2/km²). There were 1,262 housing units at an average density of 420.1 per square mile (162.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.60% White, 0.76% African American, 1.14% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.69% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.08% of the population.
There were 1,165 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city, the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,641, and the median income for a family was $50,944. Males had a median income of $41,964 versus $18,615 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,544. About 5.5% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.
Culture and Recreation
Music and fine arts
Whitehall is home to the Howmet Playhouse. The 400-seat theater was built in 1916 to be a performance venue for the White Lake area. In 1973 the theater was in danger of demolition and was acquired and renovated by nearby Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp with the help of a local fund drive and the participation of Whitehall's largest employer, Howmet Castings at the time. Blue Lake had been putting out productions until they built their own on-site facility in 2006. The theater was then transferred to the city, which puts on a season of theater running through the summer. Community fund raising efforts to improve the playhouse and keep it running are ongoing.
The Arts Council of White Lake has a 30-year history of providing high quality artistic support to the White Lake Community. They provide numerous opportunities for members of the community and surrounding areas to view, listen to, create, and learn from the arts. ACWL programs, scholarships and grants reach thousands of people each year, and help build a spirited, giving, and global White Lake culture. ACWL also sponsors a local Summer Concert Series and Artisan Market the first Saturday of every month that the Farmer's Market is open.
Whitehall is also home to 3 Frank Lloyd Wright cottages and a house, built from 1897-1905.
Whitehall is also home to the Michigan's Heritage Park. Visitors can explore 10,000 years of Michigan history in a natural woodland setting in Whitehall, just s short drive north of Muskegon. A paved half-mile trail through the woods includes a variety of historic stops including a Native American Wigwam Village, Settlers Cabin, Fur Trade Post, Civil War Camp, and 1900s Farmhouse. Costumed interpreters greet guests and offer them an opportunity to participate in various historic activities such as spinning wool, churning butter, and marking logs. Special activities will be held throughout the season including a Civil War Encampment and Muster, Honoring Native Heritage Pow Wow, a Taste of History and a Haunted Trail. The park includes a covered pavilion and plenty of picnic tables where visitors can enjoy their picnic lunch. The trail is handicapped accessible. The park is a site of the Lakeshore Museum Center. Michigan's Heritage Park is located at 8637 North Durham Road just beyond the Comfort Inn. US 31 exit 128, left to North Durham Road and the park. The park is open May through October.
White River Lighthouse was built in 1875 by Captain William Robinson and served the White Lake area until 1960, when it was deactivated by the U.S. Coast Guard. The beautiful brick lighthouse is now a museum and features exhibits about the area's history related to the shipping and logging industries. To visit the light station, you will want to take White Lake Drive from Whitehall to South Shore and take that to Murray Road to the lighthouse. There is a great view of the lighthouse from the northern shore of the channel to White Lake from Lake Michigan, near Medberry Park. As part of the museum, visitor's may climb the lighthouse tower and experience an amazing view.
Festivals
- Fourth of July Parade from downtown Whitehall to downtown Montague.
- White Lake Area Arts & Crafts Festival in Goodrich Park features more than 150 talented and creative artists, live entertainment, jump houses, and food-on Father's Day weekend
- Cruz'in: A parade and display of over 400 classic cars. Starts at Funnell Field in Whitehall and parades to downtown Montague, MI-Last Friday in July.
- Celebrate White Lake: Family festival with an antique boat show, historical displays and tours-Saturday after Cruz'in.
- Taste of White Lake: Area business and food trucks come together at the Playhouse for a fun evening of food and drinks.
- FetchFest: Beer tent and food vendors come together in local brewery, Fetch Brewing Company, back parking lot.
- White Lake Chamber Music Festival: Features over 30 events during the 1st week of August. A mix of visiting professional groups and local talent offer a wide variety of performances throughout the White Lake Area. Concerts, master classes, 5pm Serendipity Recitals, afternoon tea recitals, children's concerts, and more.
- Christmas Parade from downtown Whitehall to downtown Montage-First Saturday of December.
Looking for things to do in the White Lake Area?
Notable people
- George Edward Hilt, founder of the nation's largest farm-store retailer
- Nate McLouth, professional baseball player for the Washington Nationals and Gold Glove winner.
- Ruth Thompson, first female state representative of Michigan, first female U.S. Representative from Michigan, first female on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.
- Stacy Essebaggers-Shepherd, 2001 Miss Michigan and Top-10 semifinalist at the Miss America pageant.
- Kellin Quinn, lead singer of Sleeping with Sirens
- Ryan Van Bergen, played Defensive End for the University of Michigan, 2008-2011.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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