local
How one city became the heart of U.S. Coast Guard culture over 150 years
By Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· June 23, 2026
· 3 min read
When you think of Grand Haven, Michigan, there are probably three things that come to mind the beach, the lighthouse and the Coast Guard.The service members protecting West Michigan's waters have been celebrated in Grand Haven every summer for more than 100 years. It's why the city is known as C...
Key takeaway The service members protecting West Michigan's waters have been celebrated in Grand Haven every summer for more than 100 years.
Why this matters in The Waco
The story of Grand Haven, Michigan, as a hub for Coast Guard culture has interesting implications for Waco , where community events and festivals play a significant role in shaping local identity. While Waco does not have a direct connection to the Coast Guard, its own history of hosting events like the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum's annual celebration could be seen as a parallel. The way Grand Haven has cultivated a strong relationship with the Coast Guard over 150 years serves as a model for how Waco can nurture its own unique cultural institutions and attractions, such as the Dr Pepper Museum or the Waco Mammoth National Monument. By examining the ways in which Grand Haven has successfully become "Coast Guard City, USA," Waco can gain insight into how to further develop its own community events and foster a sense of civic pride and identity.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When you think of Grand Haven, Michigan, there are probably three things that come to mind the beach, the lighthouse and the Coast Guard.The service members protecting West Michigan's waters have been celebrated in Grand Haven every summer for more than 100 years. It's why the city is known as C...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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