Wabaningo, Michigan

43°22′14″N 86°25′18″W / 43.37056°N 86.42167°W / 43.37056; -86.42167CountryUnited StatesStateMichiganCountyMuskegonTownshipFruitlandElevation623 ft (190 m)Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)Area code231GNIS feature ID1615639^[1]

Wabaningo is a small unincorporated community of Fruitland Township, Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated where the White Lake flows through a short navigation channel into Lake Michigan at 43°22′31″N 86°25′36″W / 43.37528°N 86.42667°W / 43.37528; -86.42667 (Wabaningo, Michigan).^[1]

Wabaningo, now a resort community, was originally settled in the 18th century by the Grand River Band of Ottawa.^[2] It was first called Sylvan Beach, but the post office, established in 1897, was named Wabaningo, after the Ottawa leader Wabiwindego, who Whitehall founder Charles Mears met there in 1837.^[3] It was made a branch of the Whitehall office in 1954.^[4] The office operated as a summer post office from 1897–1938, 1939–1942, 1944–1953, 1954–1965, and 1966–1999.^[5] Wabaningo is no longer an acceptable name for delivery, although Sylvan Beach is an acceptable name with the Whitehall ZIP code 49461.^[6]

It is also the location of the White River Light station, which includes a lighthouse built in 1875, which now houses a small lighthouse and maritime museum. The original Fresnel lens is on display there.

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