City of Bridgman: A Hidden Jewel on Lake Michigan
Bridgman’s History
The earliest known explorers of Southwest Michigan were the French, who made their way from Quebec by means of the Great Lakes and their adjoining rivers. They trekked through a land of sand dunes, swamps and woodlands. Permanent settlers did not arrive for another 150 years. John Harner, who appeared in the area in the 1830’s, became Bridgman’s first settler.
A small village known as Laketon grew up around the local sawmill. When the village was officially founded in 1856, it was renamed “Charlotteville,” after the wife of prominent local resident Charles Howe.
In 1870, an astute George W. Bridgman plotted an area that he named after himself, half a mile east of Charlotteville. Bridgman’s land was bisected by the newly completed Chicago and West Michigan Railroad. This allowed Bridgman to grow and caused Charlotteville to fade out of existence.
The 1880’s brought hard times. The sawmill ceased operation and railroad use declined to a mere reminder of more prosperous days. This downturn reversed, however, after 1890 when immigrants from Russia and Germany began to pour into the area and encouraged the return of prosperity. The population doubled in ten years, as did the price of land. Fortunately, the local fruit and nursery industry absorbed many immigrants, providing them with the ability to establish themselves in the community.
On December 19, 1949, Bridgman citizens voted to become a city. The incorporation marked a new period of growth for a small, yet progressive and confident community – a spirit still present in the residents of the City of Bridgman.
Bridgman Today
The City of Bridgman (pop. 2,238 ) rests on the shore of Lake Michigan just 20 miles north of the Indiana state line. It covers three square miles and is easily accessible from I-94. Bridgman is a prosperous community that enjoys a diverse economic base for a community of its size. Visitors seeking a slower pace and the tranquility of the lakeshore are drawn to Bridgman, especially during the summer. Those who live and work there enjoy the area’s beauty, its rich farmland, history, culture, and tourist attractions.
The community has an excellent educational system, offering small classes, updated facilities, and its own indoor Olympic-size pool. With its wide variety of appealing homes, highly rated schools, scenic dunes and beaches, and proximity to larger cities, this family-oriented community is a wonderful place to live.
To envision the Bridgman lifestyle, imagine relaxing on the beach while listening to a summer concert, then sharing a solemn moment to pay your respects during Taps at sunset. As you and those around you are soaking in the small town atmosphere, you exchange smiles and sense a feeling of hometown pride. These are just a few things you’ll experience when you come to Bridgman.