Jump to content

Wabaningo, Michigan

Coordinates: 43°22′14″N 86°25′18″W / 43.37056°N 86.42167°W / 43.37056; -86.42167
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wabaningo, Michigan
Wabaningo is located in Michigan
Wabaningo
Wabaningo
Location within the state of Michigan
Coordinates: 43°22′14″N 86°25′18″W / 43.37056°N 86.42167°W / 43.37056; -86.42167
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyMuskegon
TownshipFruitland
Elevation623 ft (190 m)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code231
GNIS feature ID1615639[1]

Wabaningo is a small unincorporated community of Fruitland Township, Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated where the White Lake flows through a short navigation channel into Lake Michigan at 43°22′31″N 86°25′36″W / 43.37528°N 86.42667°W / 43.37528; -86.42667 (Wabaningo, Michigan).[1]

Wabaningo, now a resort community, was originally settled in the 18th century by the Grand River Band of Ottawa.[2] It was first called Sylvan Beach, but the post office, established in 1897, was named Wabaningo, after the Ottawa leader Wabiwindego, who Whitehall founder Charles Mears met there in 1837.[3] It was made a branch of the Whitehall office in 1954.[4] The office operated as a summer post office from 1897–1938, 1939–1942, 1944–1953, 1954–1965, and 1966–1999.[5] Wabaningo is no longer an acceptable name for delivery, although Sylvan Beach is an acceptable name with the Whitehall ZIP code 49461.[6]

It is also the location of the White River Light station, which includes a lighthouse built in 1875, which now houses a small lighthouse and maritime museum. The original Fresnel lens is on display there.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wabaningo, Michigan
  2. ^ McClurken, James M. (2009). Our People, Our Journey: The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University Press. p. 3. ISBN 978-0870138560.
  3. ^ History of Muskegon County, Michigan, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. Chicago: H.R. Page & Co. 1882. p. 29.
  4. ^ Romig, Walter (1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names. Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-1838-X.
  5. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wabaningo Post Office (historical)
  6. ^ ZIP Code Lookup, United States Postal Service