Historic Arcadia, Michigan
Shipping in Early Arcadia
 Next | Previous | Return to the Start  | Shipping Timeline

The Steamer John D. Dewar

The steamer John D. Dewar carried passengers and freight between Frankfort and Manistee with stops in Watervale, Burnham, Arcadia, Pierport, and Onekama. From the late 1800s until 1906, she sailed along the lakeshore making one round trip daily.


Entering the Arcadia Harbor
Looking southwest, the new channel (opened in 1893) would be in the distance and around the bend to the right. The logs on the right are lined up along Bar Lake's northeast shoreline.

The John D. DeWar in Bar Lake
The John D. Dewar
This steamer operated between Frankfort and Manistee from the late 1800s though 1906. For a short time after that, she operated between Ludington and Pentwater before being sold to a company in Chicago.

Source: Bonnie Hughes

Schedule
Recreated from a hotel registry, this schedule shows the John D. Dewar's expected route at a given point in time when Burnham was not a regular stop. The ship would start in Frankfort at 7AM, work its way down the coast to Manistee at 10:15 AM and return to Frankfort around 5:30 PM.
Source: Bonnie Hughes

Schedule between Frankfort and Manistee

End of Service in 1906

John D. Dewar Leaving Bar Lake
Leaving the Arcadia Harbor
The steamer John D. Dewar heading toward the channel into Lake Michigan.

"The small freight and passenger str. JOHN D. DEWAR also came into the P.M. [Pere Marquette] Line Stmr's. when Kitzinger bought out the Frankfort & Manistee Line from Capt. H. Robertson. She was replaced on this run by the P.M. 6 and after operating from Pentwater to Ludington for a short time was sold to Chicago parties; finally burned."

Next | Previous | Return to the Start  | Shipping Timeline

The View of a Local Resident

More Ship Photos

Museum Entrance | Timeline | Exhibits | Voices | Site Map | What's New