PIER COVE, MICHIGAN

Pier Cove was laid out by Deacon Sutherland in 1851 as a platted town in Allegan County. A steam sawmill and wood shop were constructed. The wood shop was later made into a grist mill, which was needed in the area. Two piers, measuring approximately 323 foot, were built. This area was thought of as a village, which boasted about its twenty families, four stores, a tavern, post office, grist mill and three hotels. As the cord wood supply was depleted, the fire of 1871 occurred, and the railroad came to Fennville, the Village of Pier Cove diminished in population and importance. One pier remained in service into 1919. Both piers were destroyed by storms in the 1900's and were not rebuilt.