12 



combined, will very soon bring to it that business life and activity, 

 and that commercial importance which its position and resources 

 indicate. 



MANUFACTURING AND BUSINESS. 



The shipping facilities of Fruitport, together with the immense 

 quantities of the finest ash, maple, cherry, hemlock, beech and pine, 

 which are tributary to it, are such that for many kinds of manufac-. 

 turing, it cannot be surpassed. The expense of wood for steam 

 power is scarcely more than the cutting, and there will be fine 

 water power when the dam is completed. For the manufacture of 

 bricks and pottery, it is affirmed that it cannot be equalled in the 

 West. There are immense beds of the purest fawn-colored clay on 

 the banks of Spring Lake, which are covered by a layer of sand, 

 and these make bricks, which Chicago architects, builders, and 

 brickmakers, all admit, are of a hardness, fineness of texture, 

 smoothness of surface, and of a beautiful, white marble-like color, 

 whidh is superior to any bricks ever seen by them before. There is 

 one yard already in operation with a capacity of from 20,000 to 30,- 

 000 per day made with a machine driven by steam, which cost about 

 $5,000, comj^lete. These bricks will readily bring in Chicago, from 

 $15 to $20 per 1000, and can be shipped cheaply by water. So far, 

 the bricks have been sold at the yard at $12 per 1000. Vessels can 

 run up to the yard and load up. As for the manufacture of pottery, 

 those familiar with the profits of the business, can readily appre- 

 ciate the advantages already noticed. A point, destined as this 

 is, very soon, to be a populous and prosperous community, and 

 possessing so many extraordinary resources of wealth, affords a 

 fine field for all branches of business. 



HEALTH. 



The climate of this region is more even and salubrious than that 

 of any other inland State. The prevailing breezes are from the 

 Southwest, and come laden with all the elasticity and invigorating 

 j^roperties which Lake Michigan can inspire. Prof. Winchell says, 

 in speaking of iS^orthern Michigan : "Billions diseases are foreign 

 to the country. No ague was ever known to be indigenous to the 

 region. The uniformity of the temperature, and the purity of the 

 air and water, are also favorable in pulmonary diseases, and I have 

 learned of some rheumatic affections that had been cured by a few 

 month's residence." The lake breeze sweeping iip the length of 

 Spring Lake, together with the beautiful scenery, makes Fruitport 

 one of the most healthful and attractive locations for residences 

 that can be found. As a summer resort for health and recreation, 

 it has few equals, and doubtless its charms will attract many who 

 are in search of homes, with beautiful surroundings, and in a 

 healthful, bracing and uniform climate. 



