Silver Lake Sand Dunes Celebrations

Anyone can read about the history of a town, but here in Ludington, our history is displayed in a unique and rather large manner. Within the downtown region, eleven murals grace the façade of local businesses, and two more murals are found just outside of town.

Since 2003, the Ludington Mural Society has captured the story of Ludington, from its early lumbering industry to notable residents to its beloved carferries. In the past five years, 13 murals have been painted by ten different artists, giving Ludington a very interesting character. The murals are even interactive—there is a hidden object in each one that the artist challenges you to find!

Reverend John Christensen—110 W. Ludington Ave.
Reverend John emigrated to the U.S. from Denmark at age 20, and touched the lives of Mason County residents for 65 years.

Freedom Festival—111. W. Ludington Ave.
July 4th has been celebrated in Ludington since 1874, and this mural depicts scenes from the Freedom Festival through the years.

First Snow—201 S. Rath Ave.
This mural represents the abundant wildlife found in this area of Michigan, and the wish for preserving animals habitat for years to come.

Ludington’s Own—301 S. James St.
This honors two Ludington residents who have been recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, Charles DePuy and William Charette.

Father Marquette—323 S. James St.
Father Jacques Marquette is a well known French missionary from the 17th century. On his way to St. Ignace, he was brought ashore near the present site of Ludington. A shrine in the form of a cross marks that very spot where Father Marquette died.

Hamlin Nostalgia—3611 N. Jebavy Dr.
After damming Big Sable Lake, it was renamed Hamlin Lake, after Abraham Lincoln's Vice-President, Hannibal Hamlin. This mural follows the history of Hamlin Lake, from its lumbering days to the recreational paradise it has now become.

Ludington's Fountain of Youth and Ossawald Crumb—106 N. Rath Ave.
Appropriately placed, this is a painting of William Rath, a former mayor of Ludington and one of its most exemplary residents. He is shown drinking from a "Fountain of Youth," something that was in vogue in the late 1800's. A second mural in this location features Ludington's legendary Paul Bunyan, Ossawald Crumb.

Ludington, A Place for All Seasons—4079 W. US-10.
The title says it all, as Ludington is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing, hunting, swimming, skating, snowshoeing—it's available all four seasons for people of all ages.

Saputo's Italian Market—103 W. Ludington Ave., (back of Luciano's)
In honor of Frank Saputo and his sisters, Jennie and Rose. They ran a typical market, where the produce was supplied from local growers. It's been said that zucchini came to Mason County courtesy of the Saputo family.

Untitled-217 E. Ludington Ave. (inside library)
This mural is a collage of scenes from the carferry era. At one time, Ludington was home port to six carferries. Now there is only one, the S.S. Badger, which crosses Lake Michigan every day during the summer to Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Doorway to the Great Lakes-322 W. Ludington Ave.
Perhaps the most unique mural, this shows the S.S. Badger carferry sailing by the Ludington North Pierhead Light (IF you look at it from the right!) It has a "louvred" effect, so if you look at it from the left, it looks as if you're peeking through "doors."

Beach Scene-316 S. James St.
The newest mural, painted by Therese Soles, is a depiction of an old fashioned beach scene in Ludington. It shows two women with a parasol walking along the shoreline, while children play in the sand. Besides the carferry, beaches are an integral part of Ludington.