Visited Algonac today. After I have become intimately involved with a true older…
Visited Algonac today. After I have become intimately involved with a true older Chris Craft that was built here I have to admit that i was thoroughly disapointed and somewhat saddened. with today's visit. I've been there before but only today I realized how there is virtually no reminders of the past here. I find it hard to believe how this town was most likely evolved from Chris Craft and it seems there is no appreciation for what transpired here. Ill just share a few photos that i captured from the book, Building Chris Craft and some that I took today. #missmarianne
— in Algonac, Michigan.[fb_vid id=””]
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Love the boat club, historic. Where it all began.
Kept my Trumpy there a few years. Loved it. Traded the Trumpy “Jenny Clark” in for my Chris, “Big Chief”.
Albert Bartkus if you have time, walk across the street from the Harbor Club and down the left about 1/4 mile, there’s a restuarant/bar called Catch 22 that is chock full of NOS Chris Craft memorabilia and parts for decorations… worth the trip! Their open late.
Sad!!! Same can be said of Holland and Cadillac, MI
Yes sad for sure, thought the same when I went. Maybe Fitting for today’s news ,now their owned by Winnebago.
Did you hit the boat museum in town? Wish I knew you were around today, I could have gotten you a quick tour of the foundry and given you a few other local boat shops to hit.
Check out the museums and the statues too
There is definitely an appreciation and a lot still around, but you have to know where to look.
It shouldn’t be forgotten that Chris Craft’s departure from Algonac wasn’t exactly a pretty one. The workers striked, Chris Craft called their bluff, and padlocked the factory and moved to Florida. That ruined a lot of lives around here, including some in my family.
Also, Urban Renewal wiped out the entire riverfront of Algonac. The Federal government paid business owners top dollar with the idea they’d rebuild downtowns. From what I’m told, maybe one shop owner rebuilt in Algonac when it was all said and done. That’s why we have a huge city owned boardwalk and park, but pretty much no old buildings left. Marine City didn’t go for Urban Renewal, so they still have a downtown riverfront area that’s full of businesses.
There are 2 museums in town that both have Chris-Craft memorabilia and one has a few small runabouts. Gar Wood also made boats in Algonac. There is history around there you just have to look a little
I’ve found nothing special about Algonac Harbor Club, it’s a nice marina, but really nothing left historic but a big empty old building. In general though I think the area probably still has the highest concentration of Chris Crafts and parts in the country.
Thanks for sharing.
Did you go to the Historical Society Museum? They have a number of old Chris Craft Boats and motors on display, as well as other memorabilia. Too bad if you missed it.
My home town ????
Chris Craft lives on in the hearts and minds of millions… She will never be really gone.. bricks and mortar may crumble and fall into the river or the ocean/gulf, but Chris Craft is an invincible icon of sport boating… built a few P-T boats, too… Landing craft? I’m not a history scholar, but I’ve been indoctrinated by years of just messing about in boats.. there is no better use of time… Thanks for the Memories…
Mecca doesn’t live here anymore.
My old neighborhood , did a lot of ice fishing
I grew up there, 26 years before I moved…… It’s sad they don’t talk about the towns history more
Read the book Legend of Chris Craft. Also if you are in town again..go to the Algonac Library..there is a series called History of the Flats, you cant check it out but it is filled with tons of history. Maybe available on line..not sure! And yes TONS of history!!⚓❤
well said