Carl Sandburg Historic Plaque in Harrbert Community Park

     Carl Sandburg

In 1926, author and poet Carl Sandburg (1878–1967) and his family rented a summer home on Lake Michigan, near the town of Sawyer, MI  Two years later, Sandburg purchased several lots in Harbert, MI.  His wife Lillian (1883-1977), whom he called Paula, designed and supervised construction of a beachfront three story home that would become their year round residence for the next 17 years. Sandburg  rode the train from Harbert to Chicago to  return to his office at the Chicago Daily News as needed. When he stayed up all night writing, his wife Lillian left breakfast and coffee by his office door.  While living near here, Sandburg completed several books  including a volume of poetry called The People: Yes, Steichen the Photographer,and the Pulitzer Prize winning multi-volume set Abraham Lincoln: the War Years.

Historic Plaque in Harbert Community Park

Chikaming Goat Farm

     From 1928 to 1946, poet Carl Sandburg and his family lived in a beachfront home near here. When he took breaks from writing, Sandburg walked in the sand dunes or studied Lake Michigan from his deck.  Often, he entertained friends by singing and playing songs on his guitar. His wife Lillian developed an interest in farming, and in 1935, purchased a small herd of goats.  They named their property Chikaming Goat Farm after an early Native American Tribe in the area. Lillian’s goat breeding program increased, the herd earned national recognition for high milk production. Seeking a milder climate the Sandburg family moved to North Carolina in 1945. In an interview for a local paper Sandburg said” I’ve traveled from coast to coast and I find Harbert best of all. Lake Michigan is beautiful and I love this spot”

Scale Model in the Railroad Museum

     The Pete Marquette Railroad established extensive operations in New Buffalo, MI in the early 20th century including new tracks, coaling stations and a round house.  As part of this development in 1921, the railroad constructed a 56 room hotel to serve passengers and railroad employees.  This hotel was associated closely with the railroad yard, which was a major stop on the Pete Marquette mainline west line, providing lodging and amenities for passengers and staff.

     The hotel contributed to New Buffalo’s growth as a rail hub and complemented the town’s broader transformation as a lake resort.  While the surrounding area had earlier resort hotels and summer camps dating to  1893 and the late 19th century, the Pete Marquette Hotel was uniquely tied to railroad operations and designed to accommodate the increasing number of travelers during the railroad boom. The hotel’s construction coincided with other railroad improvements, such as engine facilities and coaling stations, marking 1921 as a pivotal year in New Buffalos railroad linked development.

     Architecturally, the building is rectangular with brick construction. Its design emphasized stability and durability.

     The Pere.Marquette Hotel in New Buffalo , Michigan was built in 1893 by termed and entrepreneur Isaac O. Smith to accommodate travelers heading to the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago

     The upper floor closed years ago.  The lower level of the building continued to serve rail road related functions. It has integrated into the New Buffalo Railroad Museum

Club Rio on the Beach

Club Rio 1940

    The Hotel Rio (often.called.The Rio on the Beach ) was a landmark restaurant and hotel built on the sand dunes of New Buffalo, Michigan, around 1930.  Local.lore suggests parts of the structure originated from.the 1893 Chicago.World’s Fair.before being moved to the New Buffalo Shoreline.

Origins and Operations

   Establishment:  Built.on the dunes and current beach park.area in.1930, operating as popular gathering spot and resort destination.

     Community. Hub:served as a local touchpoint , including hosting the initial 1956 meeting that established the New Buffalo Yacht Club

   Tourism and local sign fiance

The Rio contributed to New Buffalo ‘ transformation from a small railroad town into vacation destination. 

     The Hotel operated for at least 25 years before closing.

Historic Plaque

Engineer Castle Washington Park Zoo, Michigan City, IN

     The Engineer Castle was built in 1937 by the WPA.  It is a literal stone castle. It was designed as a scaled replica of the official insignia of the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers.

     Architecture

    It features prominent limestone battlements, parapet walls and medieval style turrets.  It underwent full historic preservation and restoration that was completed in 2019
     What’s inside

Today the climate controlled interior serves as an educational exhibit housing small mammals and reptIles, including fennec foxes and cold blooded species.

     It was listed.on.the National Register of Historic Places in 1991

Herbert Community Park

Pond

Screen Gazebo

     Harbert Community Park is a highly rated , family friendly park located in Sawyer, Michigan.  It offers a a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities, updated amenities, and dedicated spaces for children and pets

Park Highlights and Activities

     Playgrounds: Separate play structures for toddlers and older children featuring  swings and slides

    Sports Facilities: Includes a baseball field, a sand volleyball court, and a wInter skating rink

     Fishing and Scenery: A beautiful central pond featuring a water fountain  and surrounding walking paths

     Dog Park: A fully fenced in dog run area (requires a local permit and current rabies vaccinations)

     Picnic and Gathering : Screened gazebo , a modern pavilion, public rest rooms and picnic tables with two barbecue grill areas

     Accessibility: Wheel chair entrance , parking lot, seating, and restrooms

Stetson Mansion