Visit Ludington Photo
Anyone can read about the history of a town, but here in Ludington, our history is displayed in a unique and rather large manner. Within the downtown region, several murals grace the façade of local area businesses.
The Ludington Mural Society captured the story of Ludington, from its early lumbering industry to notable residents to its beloved carferries in the various murals. Although the Mural Society is now defunct, the care of the murals has been assumed by the Mason County Historical Society. The original artwork submitted by the artists to the Mural Society is on permanent display in the mural gallery at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts, downtown Ludington.
Artist: David Blodgett & Family- South Bend, Indiana
Reverend John emigrated to the U.S. from Denmark at age 20, and touched the lives of Mason County residents for 65 years. He served as pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church from 1938-1972, except for two years he spent in Connecticut. After his retirement, he happily continued to minister at weddings, baptisms, and funerals. He also faithfully visited the sick in nursing homes and at the hospital. He was known for the miniature Bibles he would leave with those he tended to.
Artist: Terry Dickinson- Kingsley, Michigan
July 4th has been celebrated in Ludington since 1874, and this mural depicts scenes from the Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival through the years. It is a multi-plane representation of the various celebrations. One panel shows local Vietnam veterans marching in the 1986 parade. The lower portion of the mural is a progression of images- a 1900’s parade scene, “Uncle Sam” on stilts, and three members of the Scottville Clown Band: Big George Wilson, Jim Pinkerton, and Ray Schulte. The upper portion of the mural are Civil War reenactors of Company D, 1st Michigan Light Artillery marching in the 1986 parade, and finally, the fireworks over the North Breakwater Light, which occurs every July 4th.
Artist: Terry Dickinson- Kingsley, Michigan
This honors two Ludington residents who have been recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Charles DePuy received his medal for bravery under fire in the famous assault at Petersburg, VA in July 1864. William Charette, a naval medical corpsman, was decorated for aiding his wounded Marine Corp comrades under heavy enemy fire in Korea in 1953. The portrait of Charette on the mural is based upon a photograph taken just moments after he received his medal.
Artist: Roger Cooke- Sandy, Oregon
Father Jacques Marquette is a well-known French missionary from the 17th century. In 1673 he accompanied Louis Jolliet on a voyage by canoe to explore the Mississippi River, but on a later trip in 1675, he became ill. They tried to bring him back to the mission at St. Ignace, but he asked to be brought ashore near the present site of Ludington. Here he died and was buried. A shrine in the form of a cross marks that very spot where Father Marquette died. His remains were later moved to St. Ignace in 1677 by the Kiskakton Ottowa Indians. There is some controversy over where Father Marquette actually died. Historians in two other Michigan cities claim that he died in their communities; however, history seems to point to Ludington, MI as his death site.
Artist: David Rozelle- Michigan
This mural depicts the history of Hamlin Lake, from its lumbering days to the recreational paradise it has now become. It focuses on the logging era from 1856 to 1912, showing horses hauling lumber along the Big Sable River, and also features the building of the 1913 Hamlin Dam. After damming Big Sable Lake, it was renamed Hamlin Lake, after Abraham Lincoln’s Vice-President, Hannibal Hamlin. Hamlin Lake covers more than 5,000 acres and is over 12 miles long. It has become a favorite family destination during the summer months.
Artist: Therese Soles- Ludington, Michigan
Appropriately placed, this is a painting of William Rath, a former mayor of Ludington and one of its most exemplary residents. He is shown drinking from a “Fountain of Youth,” something that was in vogue in the late 1800s. Rath and Judge Charles G. Wing founded and established the Ludington State Bank and later the Fountain Bank in Mason County. He and Antoine E. Cartier (a famous lumberman) acquired Cartier Park near Lincoln Lake, and upon his death, bequeathed $25,000 for the improvement of Cartier Park. He was also instrumental in bringing the Star Watch Case Company to Ludington. A second mural in this location features Ludington’s legendary Paul Bunyan, Ossawald Crumb.
Artist: Terry Dickinson- Kingsley, Michigan
Saputo’s Italian Market was located on South James Street and featured fresh local fruits and vegetables; the market was operated by Frank Saputo and his two sisters, Rose and Jennie Saputo. They supplied fruits and vegetables to the carferries. This mural was originally located on the front of Luciano’s Ristorante, but has now been moved to the side of The Q Smokehouse, at 225 S. James Street.
Artist: Donald C. Weir- Michigan
This mural is a collage of scenes from the carferry era. At the time this was painted, Ludington had 6 carferries. In one corner of the mural, a young man leaves the farm to work on the car ferry. It also shows workers loading railroad cars onto the S.S. Badger. Another corner shows the young man returning to the farm with his paycheck to buy a new tractor. Upper left corner focuses on wealthy owners boarding the Badger. Now there is only one carferry operating out of Ludington, the S.S. Badger, which crosses Lake Michigan every day during the summer to Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Artist: Terry Dickinson- Kingsley, Michigan
Perhaps the most unique mural, this shows the S.S. Badger carferry sailing by the Ludington North Breakwater Light (IF you look at it from the right!) It has a “louvred” effect, so if you look at it from the left, it looks as if you’re peeking through “doors.” Nothing says “Ludington” more than its beloved carferries. In their heyday, 14 of these ships sailed in and out of port, including the Pere Marquette fleet and the City of Saginaw, City of Midland, City of Flint, Spartan, and the only one still running, the S.S. Badger.
Artist: Therese Soles- Ludington, Michigan
This mural is a depiction of an old-fashioned beach scene in Ludington. It shows two women with a parasol walking along the shoreline, while children play in the sand. Besides the carferry, beaches are an integral part of Ludington. You can find numerous, expansive beaches in the area from Stearns Park out to the Ludington State Park. People enjoy the sugar sand, the clean, fresh water of Lake Michigan, and the many activities that can be enjoyed along the shoreline.
Artist: Kelly Meredith
The title says it all, as Ludington is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing, hunting, swimming, skating, snowshoeing– it’s available all four seasons for people of all ages. This mural, painted on panels by Artist Kelly Meredith, is displayed adjacent to the Max K. Rahn building. Depicted on the mural are familiar names to those residents who have been around a while, like the ice skating Lori Dolson, Bill Genter with his snowshoes, trapper Dick Donkowski, hunters George Reed & Wally Worten, Julianne Gronowski on her bicycle, swimmers Diane & Jim Hoover, and golfers Robert Lefler & Lisa Doerr, and of course, fisherman Robert Taylor.
This colorful mural is no longer on display as the buildings that it was painted on were torn down in late 2018. Local artists Andy Thomas and Scott Bentz primed the wall and spray painted the outline in July 2014. During the final Friday Night Live, visitors and residents were asked to help paint and complete the mural. It featured the word Ludington, lighthouse and waves. The other side of the blue building featured a “Love Ludington” mural, done by Colleen Barber. And another community mural was located on the side of the building across the community garden area. Prints and stickers of the artwork are available for purchase by visiting downtownludington.org with proceeds benefiting the Legacy Plaza (formerly James Street Plaza) project.
Check out our picks for the top 50 coolest things to do in Ludington, Michigan, along the shores of Lake Michigan.
A children’s flotilla that’s a miniature replica of the historic S.S. Badger carferry. Children get to ride in one of many “cars”.
If there’s one thing that Hamlin Lake is known for, it’s excellent fishing. Catch crappie, bluegill, and more across thousands of acres.
The bronzed sculptures in Ludington’s 5-acre Waterfront Park sets it apart from other parks. The park is situated on the Lake Michigan inlet.
The Mason County Sculpture Trail was launched in 2012 and includes nine sculptures in Ludington, Scottville, and Fountain.
Hamlin Lake is where you want to be. It offers terrific summer recreation, including swimming, boating, tubing, and more!
Within the downtown Ludington region, several murals grace the façades of local area businesses, telling stories of the area’s rich history.
Small destinations within themselves, visitors of Hamlin Lake will go on an adventure to find their perfect dune.
There are activities going on in the Ludington area to keep everyone happy all year long. Longstanding events make Ludington special.
Find all of your favorite drinks, snacks, and foods right next to the beach at Sunset Side Concessions at Stearns Park Beach!
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