The first water route across Lake Michigan between St. Joseph and Chicago began as a mail route in 1825, but service was sporadic until 1842 when Samuel and Eber Ward began a permanent service. That lasted eleven years. Before the rise of large ship companies on Lake Michigan, service was done primarily by owner-operated boats. With the rise in shipping in Benton Harbor and the rise in tourism in St. Joseph, permanent and larger operations began operating out of the ports.
tHE FIRst Water rOuTe across LakE michigAN betWEEn st. joSePh aND chIcago Began As A maIL routE in 1825, BUT seRviCe Was spORaDic uNtil 1842 WHen SamueL aNd EbeR warD bEgaN a peRMANent ServicE. ThAt lastEd ElEVen Years. bEFORe the rIsE of large sHip compaNies on lakE miCHigAn, SErvICe was done PRimariLY By OwNer-OPeRated boAts. With The RIsE iN ShiPpinG in beNtON hArBOr anD tHe rise iN TourIsM In st. josePh, peRmanent AnD largeR operations beGan operatiNG OuT of The portS.