The May Graham — When Paddlewheel Steamboats Traveled Michigan’s Grand River
Before cars and trucks dominated Michigan’s roads, paddlewheel steamboats carried passengers, freight and farm products between communities along the Grand River.
This remarkable vintage postcard shows the sidewheel steamer May Graham at Lamont, Michigan, in Ottawa County. The large riverboat rests near the shoreline, with its tall smokestack rising above the passenger decks. A few people stand near the landing, while houses and buildings overlook the river from a wooded hillside.
Built in St. Joseph, Michigan, in 1879, the May Graham originally operated on the St. Joseph River between St. Joseph and Berrien Springs. The vessel was named for a daughter of its builder, Edmon A. Graham, a prominent Berrien County businessman.
The steamboat measured approximately 96 feet long and was powered by two side-mounted paddlewheels. Its passenger accommodations occupied the upper deck, while the lower portion carried freight.
In 1911, the May Graham began a new chapter on the Grand River. Operating from Grand Haven, the steamer traveled upstream toward Grand Rapids, stopping at small communities and river landings along the way.
The boat carried passengers, mail and supplies. It also transported fruit destined for markets across Lake Michigan. Its work supported the region’s growing agricultural economy at a time when river transportation remained important.
The May Graham also had an unusual connection to Lamont’s button industry.
Freshwater mussels collected from the Grand River provided shells that could be cut into buttons. Historical accounts indicate that the steamer transported clamshells to a button factory in Lamont, linking the riverboat to another once-important Michigan industry.
The May Graham made its final run in 1918 and was later converted into a barge. Its upper structures were reportedly repurposed, bringing an end to nearly four decades of service on Michigan’s inland waterways.
This photograph preserves a period when the Grand River was more than a scenic waterway. It was a working transportation route connecting farms, factories and river communities with the busy port of Grand Haven.
Look for more about this photo in the comments below.
Have you heard stories about the old Grand River steamboats? Perhaps your family remembers the river landings at Lamont, Eastmanville or Grand Haven. Share your memories in the comments!
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