Grand Haven

Town and administrative headquarters of Ottawa County, west Michigan; population (1990) 12,000. It is situated at the mouth of the Grand River, on Lake Michigan, 19 km/12 mi south of Muskegon. Originally settled c. 1834 on the site of a fur-trading post built c. 1821, it is now a deepwater port and a popular resort with sandy beaches, wooded hills, and a 4 km/2.5 mi-long boardwalk. Its population more than doubles in the summer. The city also has oil refineries and manufactures pianos, pneumatic tools, refrigerators, auto parts, electrical and printing equipment, and leather. It ships grapes, potatoes, and celery from the region. There are also fishing and marine engine manufacture and repair. Hoffmaster State Park and the Gillette Nature Center are 8 km/5 mi to the north.