Housing America — What influences home design?
Home designs have evolved over the decades, affected by available materials, environment, and changing needs such as transportation. Former city planner Dale Wyngarden takes a look.
Dale Wyngarden's Latest Articles
Housing America — housing styles that stand the test of time
Some places in the world have a singular residential architecture style, but Holland is home to a variety of design. Former city planner Dale Wyngarden explores the different styles and their history here.
Housing America — Classic American Foursquare architecture in Holland
Retired community planner Dale Wyngarden explores how West Michigan has used the simple and versatile American Foursquare — and how it might use it as housing shortages persist.
Holland history: The Great Fire of 1871
The final in our Holland History series looks at the Great Fire of 1871. Holland was far from the only city devastated by fire that day.
Holland history: The brief, turbulent relationship between settlers and Indigenous Americans
The clash of cultures and overwhelming influx of immigrants worked against a tranquil co-existence between Indigenous Americans and the Dutch settlers along the shores of Black Lake in the mid-1800s.
Holland history: From Pioneer School to seminary to Hope
While some colleges sit on campuses with a degree of detachment from the community, Hope has been implanted in the heart of Holland from the very start. The friction over the years has been minimal, but the mutual benefits bountiful. Some of the most architecturally distinctive buildings in Holland are on the Hope campus.
Holland history: Tulips, wind power, and the Habsburg Empire
However, tulips were first discovered wild in the mountainous area where China, Tibet and Afghanistan converge. They have graced the gardens of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire and become as valuable as currency. Today, they are a stalwart symbol of Holland, Mich., as the "Tulip City."
Holland history: “Black Lake” and the harbor
Without its harbor, Holland would not have grown as quickly or as much as it did, but getting that critical port was no easy task for the city's founder.
Holland history: The rise and fall (and rise) of shopping malls
Innovative “streetscape” enhancements kept Holland's Eighth Street viable. Support for the improvements came through joint partnership between City Hall and the business community.
Holland history: Van Raalte’s Vision of New “Kolonie”
Holland's founder Albertus C. van Raalte envisioned establishing a colony of his own — not a cosmopolitan American city, but a close-knit Christian community.
