Mason County located in West Michigan, on the Lake Michigan coast. The French Missionary Father James Marquette was the first explorer to visit the area and as lore and legend would have it on a journey north came to pass away on May 18th 1675 on the shores the the Lake which would bear his name. Mason County was formed in 1840 from Ottawa and Oceana Counties. Originally called Not-a-pe-ka-gon which is translated as River with heads on sticks, named so because of a battle between the Pottawatamies and Ottawas which were encamped uopn the shore of "river of the black robe" [what would become known as Pere Marquette Lake.] The invading Pottawatamies were victorious and severed the heads from the dead and placed them on sticks which lined the river. The village at the mouth of the river became known as Nin-de-be-ka-tun-ning ["place of skulls"] Renamed in 1843 after the first Governor of Michigan Stephen T. Mason 1835/1840 it was organized as a county in 1855.

The Pere Marquette Lake has seen many changes and business's over the years, from Giles Boat factory to Anchor Salt Company and more 7*8*9*Ludington has continued to grow and change,

The county seat isLudingtonwhich is also the largest community.The Village of Pere Marquette gave up it's name for that of Lumberman James Ludington.

Ludington has been known as the home of the largest fleet of car ferries in the world.Look east down Ludington Avenuepast the Library and Courthouseto see the Old Lumber Baron's Mansions, Take a walk along the channelhave an Eskimo Pie from Schrinks Ice Cream,walkCity Park past the Coast Guard Station out to the break wall and Lighthouse You can see the cliffs at Buttersville, the carferries cruising past on their daily excursions to Wisconsin, Lower Lakers off in a distance, look north along some of the best beaches in the world towards EpworthHeights,Old Baldy the State Park, Sauble Lighthouse and imagine the sounds of the Lumber Camps, whistles of the Steam Locomotives, and the hustle and bustle of a lumbering town.

Ghost Towns include: Taylorsville, Buttersville, Seatonville, Finn Town, Hamlin,Lincoln*1**2* Was also named by Charles Mears after his first choice for President in 1860.

The Dow Chemical plant sits on the shore of the Pere Marquette Lake where White Pine once was King.

Note to researchers, I do not maintain information on families outside of my own at this time, Your best chance to contact other family researchers and find information is going to be in posting some of your family information on the Mason County Boards. Volunteers and lookup materials can be found in the "lookups" category. -I routinely check the postings if I have information or can steer you in another direction I will contact you. I do not provide research services. White Pine Village can help you in that area.

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