Michigan Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Ludington, Michigan

Population: 8,357

Located in Mason County

It's every traveler's dream to find a special retreat that offers spectacular beauty, timeless charm, changing seasons and nearly unlimited activities, without the crowds. We invite you to discover the secrets of Ludington and Mason County, where a friendly, small-town atmosphere provides the backdrop for any type of vacation you choose.

In 1675, French missionary and explorer Father Jacques Marquette landed on the narrow peninsula dividing Pere Marquette Lake from Lake Michigan. Marquette died and was buried there; a monument now marks the site of his death.

The first settler arrived in 1847; by 1849, the area became a booming lumber region, with billions of feet of cork pine floating down the Pere Marquette River to the mills, and the mansions of lumber barons springing up around the city.

The need to transport the lumber and other materials caused Ludington to develop into a major Great Lakes shipping port, and in the mid-1950s it was the largest car ferry port in the world.

Today, the beautiful beaches, abundant natural resources and small down charm have made the Ludington and Mason County area a wonderful place to visit and to live.

All year 'round you'll find a wide variety of excellent lodging facilities, as well as restaurants ranging from local favorites to fine dining establishments. Our location makes Ludington an ideal hub- everything from dune rides to casinos to skiing is within a 45-minute drive, so the Ludington area is the perfect "home base" for any kind of getaway. And Ludington is the port for the car ferry S.S. Badger, providing a shortcut across Lake Michigan for visitors and their vehicles.