The Graham & Morton (G&M) Transportation Company began in the 1880s with the rental of the ship The Messenger. From this modest start, John Graham and James Stanley Morton�s G&M line grew to be one of the largest shipping companies on Lake Michigan. Their lines carried passengers in style and comfort on their luxurious modern ships, as cited in a G&M line brochure.

�The St. Joseph & Benton Harbor Division has three of the largest steel sidewheel steamers plying on Lake Michigan that makes three trips daily between Chicago and Michigan�s Great Fruit Belt. The steamers, City of Benton Harbor, City of St. Joseph, and Holland are well known for their spacious dance halls and cabins as well as promenade decks. Each steamer had carrying capacity for about 2,600 people, with ample room and large comfortable steamer chairs for each person. All conveniences in the cabin, with maids at the service of the lady passengers, while bell boys are to be had at every call. The trip on any one of these ships is enjoyed by everyone.�

The G&M line played a large part in the success of tourism in our area. The ships carried tourists between the west side of the lake to ports in Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, South Haven, Saugatuck, and points further north. Train lines and trolleys carried passengers from the docks to vacation spots such as Coloma, Watervliet, Paw Paw, or to closer to the House of David Park. Closer to home, visitors would be able to stay in hotels like the Hotel Benton, Phoenix Hotel, and Premier Bath Works.
The ships also had a less glamorous purpose and carried freight in addition to passengers.