A Bit of History.....

In 1838, Charles Mears and his younger brother, Albert, explored western Michigan in search of valuable white pine timber to begin a lumbering operation.  Charles found what he was looking for in what is today Whitehall.  The area proved to be ideal for harvesting the thousands of acres of trees.  Men flocked to the area to fell the trees and guide the logs down the White River to a sawmill, where they were cut and transported by boat across Lake Michigan to Chicago and beyond.  Soon, families of the lumbermen settled in the area.  Schools and stores dotted the landscape and a new way of life emerged. 

In 1859, Charles Mears and colleague Giles Slocum platted what was then called Mears.  That plat was formally recorded on January 10, 1860 - the official date marking the city's founding.  It was renamed Whitehall in 1862.

The town continued to grow.  The devestation of the Great Chicago fire of 1871 ironically meant more prosperity for Whitehall, as the demand for lumber to rebuild Chicago soared.

By the mid 1880's, however, most of the white pine lumber had been felled.  The lumbering heyday came to an end.  Tourism replaced lumbering as the White Lake area became a popular destination for travelers from Chicago, St. Louis and other areas.

Today, Whitehall remains a major tourist draw as visitors enjoy all the activities and amenities that lakeside living offers.  The city thrives, yet retains its inviting, small-town charm.