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County Info
Ottawa County was founded in 1837, the same year Michigan was admitted to the Union, and was named after the Ottawa Indians who once inhabited the area's forests. Rix Robinson, a local fur trader, established the first permanent settlement at the mouth of the Grand River which is the present-day site of Grand Haven, Ottawa County's seat of government. Other settlements followed such as Allendale, Georgetown, Jamestown, Tallmadge and Eastmanville. In the 1840s, Dutch pioneers, fleeing from economic and religious persecution came to southwest Ottawa County at the present-day Lake Macatawa. These Dutch immigrants named their new communities after their homeland, Holland, Zeeland, Vriesland and Grafschaap.
Ottawa County offered a wealth of economic opportunity to these early immigrants. There was rich forest land which gave timber and lumber. The vibrant soil of the new land brought forth vegetables and fruits and was the basis of cash crops which soon became a vital export to other ports on Lake Michigan especially Chicago. Today Ottawa County is a leading producer of nursery stock, celery, poultry and blueberries in our state. Hudsonville is known as "salad bowl city" because it produces salad fixings like lettuce, onions, celery, radishes, and carrots. Allendale is the home of one of the United States' largest mozzarella cheese plants which produces over 45 million pounds of cheese each year!
The early pioneers brought small manufacturing to the County which was ideal for importing raw materials and exporting finished goods. In the mid 1870s railroads came to the County which further enhanced and expanded the accessibility of Ottawa County's products.
Today, the manufacturing base of Ottawa County is strong and diversified. Some of the major products include furniture, clocks, auto parts, plastics, pharmaceuticals, mirrors, and high-technology items.
Ottawa County is a vacation destination from around Michigan and other bordering states. The County provides a rich variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, fishing, camping, biking, cross-country skiing, boating, swimming, etc.
Ottawa County is a shopper's paradise. From historic downtown streets, to art studies, galleries, craft and antique shops to two major shopping malls, Ottawa County is a varied source to satisfy the most particular shopper. Out-of-town shoppers have the same variety of overnight lodging as shoppers do with a wide range of accommodations available to them.
Numerous colorful festivals which celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of Ottawa County take place during the year. Some of these festivals include; Tulip Time in Holland (May), the Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven (July), and the Michigan Christmas Tree Festival (November / early December).
We hope your visit to Ottawa County will be a fun and vibrant one!
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