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Separated from Montague by White Lake, the City of Whitehall, Michigan is connected to its neighbor by the Whitehall-Montague (Camelback) Bridge, along US Business Highway 31.

US-31 touches the northernmost part of the city but is otherwise east of the city limits. Other routes to and from the city include Benson Road, Simonelli Road, White Lake Drive, Zeller Road, and South Shore Drive.

Cities and villages within twenty-five miles of Whitehall include Montague, Lakewood Club, Rothbury, New Era, North Muskegon, Muskegon, Shelby, Muskegon Heights, Roosevelt Park, Norton Shores, Hart, Fremont, and Fruitport.

Situated on the shores of the extreme northern end of White Lake, through which the White River flows before emptying into Lake Michigan, Whitehall is only five miles from Lake Michigan, which is connected to White Lake by a dredged canal. On its way to Lake Michigan, the White River runs between the two cities. Several small creeks also flow into White Lake, including Bush Creek, Millpond Creek, Wildcat Creek, and other unnamed streams.

Whitehall's peak population was 3,027 in 1990, and its population at the time of the 2020 census was 2,909.

The city operates its own police department, which includes a school resource officer who is assigned to the Whitehall District Schools during the school year, and maintains an office in the high school. Fire protection is provided by the White Lake Fire Authority, which is a joint partnership between Whitehall, Whitehall Township, and Fruitland Township.

The Whitehall Public School District includes Shoreline Elementary School (PK), Helen Ealy Elementary School (3-5), Whitehall Middle School (6-8), and Whitehall High School (9-12).

Single-family residential homes in Whitehall are primarily older homes on small lots, with small setbacks on the front and side. Its single-family residential area surrounds the downtown district in the core of the city, the historic area of the former Mears Village, and some newer developments in the south.

Whitehall does not have many multi-family residential properties, and they are limited to duplexes and small apartment developments, mostly in the northern part of the city.

The city core has a traditional downtown commercial layout, with buildings built right up to the sidewalk, several storefronts in most of the buildings, and parking in the rear. Many of its downtown commercial buildings were built before World War II. The city core extends along East Colby Street, from East Hanson Street to East Spring Stree, and from North Thompson Street to South Division Street.

Whitehall also has some scattered neighborhood commercial buildings, as well as general commercial buildings serving travelers on US-31.

Industrial land areas in Whitehall, are mostly concentrated in its industrial park in the southeastern part of the city.

City parks, many of them situated near the lake or waterways, include Covell Park, Funnell Field, Gee Park, Goodrich Park, Lion's Park, Mill Pond Park, Norman Park, Slocum Park, Svennson Park, and Veteran's Memorial Park. Goodrich Park includes the White Lake Municipal Marina, with its 50-slip marina, as well as picnic areas, playground equipment, and bicycle and pedestrian paths.

Built in 1875, the White River Light sits on a narrow peninsula of land separating Lake Michigan from White Lake. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1960, and acquired by Fruitland Township, which opened it as a museum in 1970. Visitors can climb the spiral staircase or view the original Fourth Order Fresnel lens.

Whitehall hosts a number of activities and events throughout the year, many of which are joint endeavors with Montague, including its 4th of July parade from downtown Whitehall to downtown Montague, the White Lake Arts & Crafts Festival in Goodrich Park, FetchFest, the White Lake Chamber Music Festival, a Christmas parade from downtown Whitehall to downtown Montague, and Cruz'in, which is a parade and display of classic cars.

Platted by Charles Mears, a mill owner, and Giles B. Slocum in 1859, the community was first named Mears. On June 23, 1862, a post office was established with that name, and Albert Mears, Charles' brother, was the first postmaster. The settlement was incorporated as a village in 1867, at which time its name was changed to Whitehall, a reference to the lake, and the post office took that name on April 1 of that year. Whitehall became a city in 1942.

The focal point of this portion of our guide is the City of Whitehall, Michigan, and appropriate topics include governmental facilities within the city, and local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities in Whitehall.

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