In the late 1880's and early 1890's, Chicagoans, looking to escape the summer winds of the "Windy City", began coming to Coloma's beautiful Paw Paw Lake. Area farmers began renting rooms to visitors, as there were not enough available elsewhere.

 

By 1895, the resort business developed so rapidly that hotels and pavilions were under construction all around the lake. Double-decked steamboats of up to 90 feet in length were circling the lake on a regular schedule. Summer visitors came in such large numbers, that one boat captain founded a railroad, which ran from Coloma directly to his boat dock. Vacationers also came to town by the Electric Interurban Train or by regular passenger trains.

 

Summer weekends found Coloma crowded with thousands of vacationers who came to enjoy Paw Paw Lake and all that the area could offer.

 

Later in the 1920's and throughout the 1940's, the best Big Bands in the country vied for any opportunity to play before the crowds at the Crystal Palace, Woodward and Edgewater pavilions.

 

Today, handsome homes and condominiums accommodate year around residents.​ 

 

Source: http://www.swmidirectory.org/History_of_Coloma.html