Wabaningo, Michigan

Wabaningo is a small unincorporated community of Fruitland Township, Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated where the White Lake flows through a short navigation channel into Lake Michigan at 43°22′31″N 86°25′36″W / 43.37528°N 86.42667°W.[1]

Wabaningo, now a resort community, was settled before 1833. It was first called Sylvan Beach, but the post office, established in 1897, was named Wabaningo, after a local Ottawa chief. It was made a branch of the Whitehall office in 1954.[2] The office operated as a summer post office from 1897-1938, 1939-1942, 1944-1953, 1954-1965, and 1966-1999.[3] Wabaningo is no longer an acceptable name for delivery, although Sylvan Beach is an acceptable name with the Whitehall ZIP code 49463.[4]

It is also the location of the White River Light station, which includes a lighthouse built in 1875, which now houses a small lighthouse and maritime museum. The original Fresnel lens is on display there.

References

  1. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wabaningo, Michigan
  2. ↑ Romig, Walter (1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names. Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-1838-X.
  3. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wabaningo Post Office (historical)
  4. ↑ ZIP Code Lookup, United States Postal Service