The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NAMING MUSKEGON

ONCE AN INDIAN BRAVE WAS PADDLING HIS CANOE ALONG THE SHORE OF LAKE
MICHIGAN. HE HAD LEANED HIS MUSKET AGAINST THE FRONT THWART SO
THAT IT WOULD BE HANDY IN CASE HE NEEDED IT. WELL, IT WAS A
PRETTY STORMY DAY AND THE WAVES WERE KICKING UP SOMETHING FIERCE.
FINALLY ONE WAVE TUMBLED OVER THE BOW OF THE CANOE AND ALMOST
CAPSIZED HIM. HE SAW HIS MUSKET BEING CARRIED OVER THE SIDE OF
THE CANOE AND HE LEAPED TO CATCH IT. WELL, HE LOST IT AND THEN
HE EXCLAIMED, "OH NO, MUSKIE-GONE!" AND FROM THAT DAY FORWARD
THAT PLACE HAS BEEN CALLED MUSKEGON.

Submitter comment: THIS TALE, CONCERNING THE NAMING OF MUSKEGON, WAS PASSED DOWN TO
MY DAD FROM HIS FATHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Subject headings:

PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force

Date learned: 11-01-1968