The History Behind the Name: Old Pike Cottages
There’s a story behind the name Old Pike Cottages — one that stretches back to a time when travel along Michigan’s lakeshore was slower, simpler, and centered around the journey itself. Long before modern highways, the Old West Michigan Pike guided travelers up the coast from Chicago to Mackinaw City, offering scenic views of Lake Michigan and access to the charming towns along the way. Today, that same spirit of exploration and appreciation for the lakeshore lives on here, woven into the character and experience of Old Pike Cottages.
With the rise of the automotive industry and a growing demand for more established roadways, the Old West Michigan Pike was born and began construction in 1911. While West Michigan had already become a popular vacation destination, it was largely accessible only by boat or train. The creation of this scenic roadway opened the door for more visitors to experience the beauty of the lakeshore, making travel more accessible than ever before.
Along the route, each mile was marked with concrete mile-marker posts, along with additional markers at key turns to help guide travelers along the Pike. These posts were numbered consecutively, creating a unique and innovative system — one of the first of its kind in the Midwest. Later incorporated into the first federal highway system in 1926, we now know this historical route as US-31.
At Old Pike Cottages, we’ve carried pieces of that history forward in a way that feels both meaningful and approachable. Inspired by the Old West Michigan Pike, our property reflects the idea of travel as something to be savored, not rushed. You’ll find subtle historical touches woven throughout — including the mile-marker style posts at each cottage — each one a quiet reminder of the road that once guided visitors along this very stretch of coastline.
Inspired by the legacy of the Old West Michigan Pike, Old Pike Cottages offers a stay that’s rooted in history while designed for comfort and relaxation. Just as travelers once followed the Pike to explore the lakeshore, today’s guests can make Old Pike their home base for discovering Saugatuck and beyond. Book your stay and experience a piece of that history for yourself — with all the modern comforts and amenities of a peaceful cottage getaway.
Historical information referenced from Vintage Views Along the West Michigan Pike - From Sand Trails to US-31 by M. Christine Byron & Thomas R. Wilson, 2011
