Can't-Miss Historical Stops in Ludington

Places to Explore Ludington’s History

Pure Ludington is a dream for history buffs – chock full of historic lighthouses, museums, trails and homes thanks to its discovery in 1873 due to its abundant natural resources and prime location on Lake Michigan.  Below are just some of our historic attractions and sites.

Historic White Pine Village

 The third largest living history village in Michigan, this community of 30 historic buildings depicts the history of Mason County through artifacts and archives that bring to life the times of those who settled in Mason County.

New to the museum grounds is the Mason County Sports Hall of Fame exhibit, “Beyond the Game,” which features the history of sports on local and national levels, while also exploring the life lessons sports teach. An interactive touch-screen allows you to search the athlete you wish and read about the person’s outstanding career.

Historic White Pine Village also celebrated the opening of a second exhibit last fall called “Traveling in Time,” highlighting seven historic and iconic cars from 1917 to 1967, including the Detroit Electric Opera Coupe, which was owned by a lumber baron from Ludington.

Mason County Research Center

Opened in 2022, this downtown welcome center, ticket office and gift shop for the Mason County Historical Society’s museums (Historic White Pine Village, Port of Ludington Maritime Museum) also is the home for its research library and archives, offices and meeting space. It also houses a Ludington Mariners Exhibit, Mason County Sports Hall of Fame(goes to new website), Legacy Hall with exhibits about significant businesses, a mural about the county’s 15 townships, rotating artwork, and a rotating “Artifact from the Archives” exhibit. The Heritage Vault also is a visible storage exhibit in the former bank vault displaying more precious artifacts.

Port of Ludington Maritime Museum

Located in the restored 1934 U.S. Coast Guard Station, this interactive museum provides exhibits about Ludington’s maritime heritage, sharing the past with artifacts, photographs and voices of those who shaped the region.

(goes to new website)

Lakeview Cemetery

Owned and operated by the city of Ludington and situated just south of Cartier Park Natural Area, this cemetery is home to many persons responsible for the rise and success of Ludington.

Lighthouses

Ludington is home to two historic lighthouses – the 1924 Ludington North Breakwater Light in Stearns Park reachable via a half-mile breakwall; and the 1867 Big Sable Point Light at the end of a two-mile walk in Ludington State Park, At 112-feet tall, it’s the second tallest on Lake Michigan’s eastern shore and one of the oldest continuously working in the state.

Ludington State Park

This 5,300-acre park not only offers 25 miles of trails, seven miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, four campgrounds and Hamlin Lake, it also is home to the iconic 1867 Big Sable Point Lighthouse, the Lake Michigan Beach House built in 1935 by the Camp Ludington Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) members using Mason County lumber and repurposed bricks from Ludington’s old Morton Salt factory, and three stone trail shelters also built by the CCC to provide a sheltered place to rest while exploring.

Mason County Cultural Trails

Six self-guided driving tours provide an interactive experience to experience the region’s history and culture. Visitors can scan a QR code at each stop to hear about each destination along the trail. Themes include Agriculture, Barn Quilt, Lumber Heritage, Maritime, Music Heritage and Sculpture.

S.S. Badger

A National Historic Landmark, this is the last working coal-fired steamship in the United States, crossing Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisc., daily in season. Sailing its 70th season in 2023, the 410-foot Badger holds 600 passengers and 180 vehicles.

East Ludington Avenue Historic District

Ludington Avenue from Delia to Staffon Streets – A neighborhood of 65 historic buildings dating to 1872 on the north and south side of a five-block area of Ludington Avenue are now on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district, including homes of a number of prominent figures in Ludington history. These homes, including Cartier Mansion, Lamplighter B&B and Ludington House, reflect Ludington’s 150-year evolution from lumber boomtown to industrial center to tourist destination. A printed guidebook describing the properties can be picked up at the Mason County Research Center or the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

LUDINGTON IS ALSO HOME OF…

Father Jacque Marquette’s death site (died in 1675 on Buttersville Peninsula).

Ludington Mariners Class D minor league baseball team (late 1910s to early 1920s).

House of Flavors established in 1948 – Michigan’s largest ice cream manufacturer under one roof and Michigan’s biggest private-label ice cream manufacturer.

The Carrom game board, produced by Carrom Company who has been manufacturing quality games for 130 years.