This Michigan Town Has America’s Only Authentic Dutch Windmill & Over 5 Million Tulips Each Spring

Holland, Michigan

Nestled on Lake Michigan’s eastern shore, Holland is famous for its Dutch heritage and spectacular tulip festival. But beyond the wooden shoes and windmills lies a town full of unexpected treasures. Let’s dig in.

The Lighthouse Keeper Who Never Left Big Red

The harbor’s “Big Red” lighthouse is said to be haunted by former keeper George St. Peter, with witnesses describing phantom footsteps, unexplained lights, and cold spots.

Built in 1872 and renovated in 1936, it’s one of Michigan’s most photographed landmarks. The lighthouse stands 46 feet tall and was automated in 1932.

Recent paranormal investigations have recorded EVP phenomena and unexplained equipment malfunctions near the tower.

Downtown Sidewalks That Melt Snow All Winter Long

Holland’s 120-mile snowmelt system melts up to an inch of snow per hour beneath downtown streets and sidewalks.

Installed in 1988, the system uses waste heat from the local power plant, recycling 4.9 million gallons of water daily. You’ll notice the difference immediately when crossing from heated to non-heated areas.

The system saves the city approximately $25,000 annually in snow removal costs and has reduced slip-and-fall injuries by 70%.

Secret Prohibition Tunnels Run Under Eighth Street

Downtown Holland features prohibition-era tunnels connecting several historic buildings, with the most recent renovations uncovering passages beneath Eighth Street.

Originally used for bootlegging, some tunnels extend nearly half a mile and include hidden rooms. Archaeological excavations have found artifacts including original liquor bottles and smuggling equipment dating to the 1920s.

Explore sections through guided “speakeasy tours” offered by local businesses.

When Dutch Settlers Ate Their Tulip Bulbs in Winter

Dutch immigrants in 1847 faced such severe food shortages they resorted to eating their treasured tulip bulbs. Reverend Albertus Van Raalte, later established community food stores to prevent future shortages. But the harsh winter claimed the lives of 46 settlers that first year.

The annual Tulip Time Festival honors these founders through historical reenactments.

Holland Almost Became Tulip City By Just 118 Votes

In 1928, business owners unsuccessfully petitioned to rename Holland as “Tulip City.” The initiative lost by just 118 votes, leading to the compromise. The following year saw the first Tulip Time Festival, which now attracts over 500,000 visitors annually.

Whiskey That Tastes Different Thanks To Lake Michigan

Holland’s Coppercraft Distillery creates award-winning whiskey using Lake Michigan water. They’ve pioneered a “lake-aging” technique where select barrels experience controlled exposure to lake air during maturation. You’ll taste subtle mineral notes unique to Great Lakes water in every sip.

Their straight bourbon has won three international awards since 2018. They also age barrels in a temperature-fluctuating warehouse to accelerate the aging process.

George Clooney Still Talks About This Local Apple Pie

George Clooney visited this place during the filming of “The Road Home” (2002). Local restaurants still display photos from his visits, particularly deBoer Bakkerij where he praised their apple pie.

The town has since attracted other productions, including scenes for “Transformers: Age of Extinction” and three Hallmark holiday films. The Holland Film Office from 2015 now actively recruits production companies to the area.

Pickle Factory That Processes A Million Pounds Daily

Holland’s Heinz facility processes over one million pounds of cucumbers daily during peak season. The factory employs 400 year-round workers, expanding to 1,200 seasonal employees during summer.

You can sometimes catch the distinctive vinegar aroma on “pickle days” when production is highest. The facility pioneered automated pickle sorting technology that identifies and grades 240 pickles per second.

President Ford Wrote His Memoirs At A Lake Cottage

President Ford maintained a private lakeside cottage outside Holland until his family sold it in 2018. He frequently fished Lake Michigan from his 22-foot powerboat. The property still contains his custom-built writing desk where he drafted portions of his memoirs.

Ford hosted informal meetings with political figures at this retreat away from media attention, including a pivotal 1976 strategy session during his re-election campaign.

Sand Dunes That Make Music When You Slide Down

The beach dunes produce an eerie “singing” sound when humidity conditions are perfect and you slide down certain slopes.

This phenomenon, scientifically known as “booming dunes,” occurs in only 30 locations worldwide. The sound frequency varies between 250-300 Hz depending on sand composition.

Researchers from Michigan State University study these dunes as they may provide insights into similar formations observed on Mars by NASA rovers.

De Zwaan Windmill Still Grinds Flour The Old Way

De Zwaan windmill, built in the 1760s and transported from the Netherlands in 1964, remains America’s only authentic Dutch working grain mill.

Standing 125 feet tall, its sails span 80 feet and can rotate at 17 RPM in optimal wind. You can purchase stone-ground flour produced using centuries-old techniques.

The mill requires specialized maintenance from Dutch craftsmen who visit annually to replace wooden components with traditional materials.

Visiting Holland, MI

Holland is 3 hours from Detroit and 2.5 hours from Chicago. Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids is 30 minutes away, with shuttle services available.

Highlights:

• Windmill Island Gardens (1 Lincoln Ave) – $12 admission, open 9 AM to 5 PM
• Downtown 8th Street shops with snowmelt system (free)
• Holland State Park and “Big Red” lighthouse ($10 vehicle entry)
• Nelis’ Dutch Village ($16 admission)
• Coppercraft Distillery (184 120th Ave) Tours $15 with tastings