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The sand darkens over time as the beach grass grows in thicker.īy 1994 the Saugatuck dune rides have been a successful business for 40 years and the tracks are a part of the landscape. The tracks in 1974 are clearer than ever. four years before the areaīy 1960 you can just barely see the beginnings of trails, evidence that the area hasīy 1967 it is very clear that there are tracks in the dunes from constant dune buggy traffic. This 1950 photograph shows the dunes in Saugatuck, Mich. This photo from 1938 shows the empty area where the ghost town lies. was buried by sand in the 1870’s after the area was deforested and the dunes shifted. These images from the aerial imagery library at Michigan State University document the evolution of the landscape: Since then the Saugatuck dune rides have gone through a few different owners, but the dune ride business has remained, leaving tracks across the landscape. In 1954, Ron Jousma purchased some of the land to offer dune buggy rides. Now, it is covered in vegetation and stays relatively still, but the lake’s shape has changed since the late 19th century. The western shore of neighboring Goshorn Lake used to move up to three feet a year. Over the years, the area has seen many changes. Anything that was left has either been buried by the dunes or scavenged for lumber and firewood.
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"If an archaeological dig was done they would find traces of the settlement right where it was located," said Jack Sheridan, a member of the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society.Īn estimated 10 buildings were moved to downtown Saugatuck.
![saugatuck dune ride saugatuck dune ride](https://urbanstmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/6waysDunes.jpg)
The west coast of Goshorn Lake has been moving over the years as a result of the Without the trees, the sand began to bury the city, and it was soon vacated and abandoned. Little did Singapore residents know that by deforesting the area the dunes were being brought to life. But they were cut to help rebuild Chicago after the Great Fire of 1871 nearly destroyed that city almost 100 miles away. Jack Sheridan stands on Singapore era slabs protruding from the sand. Until about 130 years ago, this Lake Michigan port town was near what is now Saugatuck.įounded in 1836, it was made up of 23 buildings and around 100 people, according to Kit Lane, author of "Buried Singapore: Michigan’s imaginary Pompeii." A city lies buried under Michigan’s west coastīuried under huge, rolling sand dunes on Michigan’s southwest coast lies a town once called Singapore.