The street along the Black River that leads to the iconic Lake Michigan lighthouse in South Haven, Michigan has a new name. On Friday, Sept. 27th, the street was officially renamed in honor of legendary lighthouse keeper Captain James Donahue.
The new street sign, “Honorary Captain Donahue Drive,” is at the top of the Kalamazoo Street entry to the street where the lighthouse can be seen in the background. The initiative to rename the street was spearheaded during this sesquicentennial year of the City of South Haven by Pam Chappell, a local folk singer whose compositions include a song in honor of Captain Donahue. She was joined in unveiling the street sign by Mayor Scott Smith. Descendants of Capt. Donahue also attended the unveiling, including his great grandson, David Wells, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Donahue, a Civil War veteran, served as lighthouse keeper for 35 years beginning in 1874. (Photos by Tom Renner)
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