Houses Archives - Page 27 of 28

Charles G. Learned House aka The Garfield Inn, Port Austin

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Houses .

A native of New York, contractor Charles G. Learned helped build New York City’s water-works system and the Erie Canal. Around 1837 Learned and his brother-in-law purchased several thousand acres of pine land in Michigan’s Thumb area. Two years later, Learned and his wife, Maria Raymond, came to Port Austin and bought a house and three acres at this site. Learned’s cutover pine land became a 2,000-acre farm where he prospered as an agriculturalist and dairy farmer. With profits from his lumbering and farming enterprises Learned enlarged and updated this house in the French Second Empire style. In the 1860s Ohio congressman, later president, James A. Garfield, a family friend, was a frequent guest here. From 1931 to 1979 the house served as the Mayes Inn and Tower Hotel.

There were rumors that President Garfield was smitten for Charles Learned’s wife Maria and that president requested that he travel to Port Austin to see her after being shot but he was not permitted to travel.

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The Hidden Remains in a Michigan State Park

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, Houses .

I was camping and the nice people camping next to me said hi, and we got to talking, I told them I take pics of Michigan, and they asked me if I had been to the “secret bunker”. What secret bunker? And they told me of this concrete bunker in the Rifle River Recreation area off the road near the viewing tower. I have been to the park several times before and have never noticed it. There is a sign on the tower that said the property originally belonged to Harry M. Jewett, but I really did not think much about it, I just figured he was some farmer and had a little cabin or something. Doing some research on the internets I found out all sorts of interesting facts about him and the lodge he built.

Harry Mulford “Hal” Jewett was born in Elmira, NY in 1870 and was a world class athlete for the University of Notre Dame. He was a two-time US National champion and he set the American record for the 220 yard dash in 1891 and in the triple jump in 1890. He also equaled the World Record for the 220-yard dash in 1892. He scored the very first touchdown for Notre Dame Football in a game against the University of Michigan on April 20, 1888, Michigan did win the Game 26-6. (It was said that the Wolverine fans in Ann Arbor were upset that the team was scored on by Notre Dame since It was the first time in over 4 years the team had allowed an opposing team to get a touchdown)

After graduating from college and serving in the Navy during the Spanish-American war he eventually became the president of the Paige Motor Car Company in Detroit. Paige even built a low price model named the Jewett.

In the 20’s Jewett was looking for a place to take his dogs and their trainers to hunt. He fell in love with the area near Lupton and purchased 7000 acres of land, He eventually built an enormous lodge bringing in Finnish “axemen” from the Upper Peninsula to fell and trim the logs for the construction of the lodge. Workers were brought in from the Detroit area, and overcoming difficulties in the rural area, the large two-story log lodge was built with all the modern conveniences, including steam heat, electric lights, a private bath and a large living room featuring a huge fireplace. There was also an observation room on the roof with a spectacular view of the area.

Grousehaven Lodge
photo courtesy of the Rifle River Re. Area staff

Jewett protected and restored the area for hunting ruffed grouse, partridge, and pheasant and made the area a world-class preserve. He also worked with the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries in stocking the headwaters of the Rifle River with trout, making it one of the best fishing areas in the state. It was reported that Jewett had spent over a quarter of a million dollars on grousehavens lodge and preserve.

When Harry Jewett died of a heart attack suddenly in 1933, his heirs lost interest in Grousehaven and in 1945 it was sold to the state of Michigan for $75,000, and was used by the Department of Conservation for fish and game research. In 1963 the lands were deeded over to the parks division and the lodge was torn down in 1967 you can still see some of the remains of the lodge near the observation tower.

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Remains of the old Grousehaven Lodge.

The Hecker Castle on Woodward in Detroit

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Houses, Uncategorized .

This beautiful french renaissance castle on Woodward Ave designed by Louis Kamper was the home of railroad and ship-building baron Col. Frank J. Hecker.In 1888, Hecker hired architect Louis Kamper and began construction on the mansion at Woodward Avenue at the corner of Ferry. The Col. Frank J. Hecker House, with 21,000 square feet, is an imposing example of French Châteauesque style based on the Château de Chenonceaux near Tours, France.Hecker used his home to host elaborate parties where he entertained luminaries such as presidents William McKinley and Rutherford B. Hayes.

The exterior of the home has large turrets at the corners, and Flemish dormers in the steep hip roof. Several bays project from the main body of the home, and wrapped around the whole is a balustraded, colonnaded loggia. A carriage house in the rear is clearly visible from Woodward. At one point this structure was converted into a concert hall capable of seating 200.

The interior has 49 rooms, including a large oak-paneled hall designed for large parties, an oval dining room done in mahogany, a lobby done in English oak, and a white and gold music room.The fireplaces were constructed of Egyptian Nubian marble and onyx and Italian Siena marble were used in the vestibules.

Hecker was friends with lumber baron David Whitney, who built another Woodward Avenue mansion.

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The Homes of Center Avenue in Bay City

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Houses, Michigan Historical Markers .

Diving down Center avenue in Bay city I feel like I am traveling back in time as I go past the old historic mansions. At either end of the historic district is a Michigan Historical Marker that reads:

Center Avenue presents one of the most spectacular displays of late nineteenth and early twentieth century residential architecture in Michigan. Between 1870 and 1940 Bay City’s prominent citizens favored Center Avenue as “the” place to live. Early in this period lumbermen built lavish residences. After 1900 lumbering declined and the city’s economy diversified. Leaders in the sugar beet, coal, shipbuilding, and other industries built stylish homes that reflected their substantial fortunes. Local architects such as Pratt and Koeppe, Clark and Munger, and Philip Floeter designed many of the buildings. Monumental churches and other public structures, like the Masonic Temple, compliment the residences. Center Avenue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

here are some of my favorite homes in the district

Henry & Luella Clements House 1890

The sign in front of the home reads:

Henry worked with his father James and brother William at Industrial Works, designers of a rail-mounted shovel and cranes employed at the Chicago Columbian Exposition and the Panama Canal. His house is unusual in Bay City because it is one of the few Queen Anne Style homes built of brick. Instead of ornamental trim, bricks are placed in decorative patterns to accentuate the structure’s shape and composition. The first floor plate window is framed with a distinctive Romanesque arch of rusticated stone, displaying the Victorian tendency to mix styles. In 1913 Hector McKinnon, president of McKinnon Boiler and Machine Co., purchased the house, followed in 1920 by Judge Samuel Houghton, who prepared the charter that united Bay City and West Bay City

James Shearer house 1876

James Shearer was a builder in Bay City and besides building this beautiful home, he built several buildings in Michigan, including the building Mill End which was recently raised to build new condominiums. He also was chosen by the Governor of Michigan in 1871 to supervise the construction of the state capital.

Louis & Nettie Goeschel House 1875

The sign in front of the home reads:

Little is known of John Jones, the original owner of the house. It was sold to the Goeschels in 1887. Louis was a well-known businessman, starting out as grocer and venturing into insurance and foreign travel. He hired Pratt & Koeppe to do major remodeling of the house in 1888. The house remained in the Goeschel family for three generations, passing to daughters and husbands, until 1964: fi rst to Nova G. & Russell S. Eddy (1929), and then to Marion E. & Paul E. Wendland (1947). This beautiful Queen Anne style house was modernized in the 1950s by removing most of the porch and covering the house with aluminum siding. The porch was reconstructed and the siding removed to reveal and restore architectural details in 2006-2008

Fremont Chesbrough House 1889

The construction of the house started in 1889 and took three years to build. The 8975 Sq foot home has 5 stories and a Tiffany Stain glass window which is visible on the first and second floors. Each room has a different wood, White golden mahogany in the front parlor, Cherry and walnut in the second parlor. Fremont and Matilda lived in the house from 1891 to 1916. The lot for the house sold for $3,500 and the total cost of building the home was close to $30,000 and at the time the most expensive home on Center Avenue. Fremont’s brother Francis lived in a wood Victorian home jut one block from Fremont’s home.

Victorian Era Home

I could not find any information on this grand old Victorian Queen Ann home but not knowing its history does not detract from its grandeur. if you know anything about it I would love to know.

If you live near Bay City or Midland Lost In Michigan books are available at Coyer Candle. You can find out more about their locations on their website HERE

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6 Unbelievable Almost Forgotten Historic Michigan Mansions

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Houses, Uncategorized .

Visiting different cities while traveling around Michigan, I’ve noticed in several towns the most prominent house seems to be the one in need of saving. They were built by a wealthy Michigander, but then over time, some were converted into another purpose, such as a restaurant, hospital or apartments. Restoring them to their former glory and maintaining an old house is not as easy as owning a modern “maintenance free” home.

Here is a list, in no particular order, of some of my favorite houses I have seen, They are such beautiful historic houses and it would be sad to lose them.

Ammi Wright house in Alma

The Ammi Wright house in Alma, was used as a hospital and is in the process of being restored. CLICK HERE for more

Charles G. Learned House in Port Austin Michigan

The Charles G. Learnerd House in Port Austin, which was converted into the Garfield Inn, lat time I was there it was for sale. CLICK HERE for more

Heritage House in Chesaning

The Heritage (George Nason) house in Chesaning. Built by lumber baron George Nason and converted into a restaurant in 1980 the Heritage house has been vacant for years and was recently purchased. CLICK HERE for more

the James Scott Residence in Detroit

The James Scott Residence in Detroit, It was recently announced it will be converted into condominiums. CLICK HERE for more

The Hill House in Saginaw

The Hill House Built in 1886 for Clarence and Susie R. Hill. it is currently for sale to someone willing to renovate it. CLICK HERE for more

The Richard C Burtis house in Watrouseville

The Richard C. Burtis House in Watrouseville also known as the “Wedding Cake House” was recently purchased by a local family and they are in the process of restoring it. CLICK HERE for more

The Castle in Grand Rapids – Michigan Historical Marker

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Houses, Michigan Historical Markers .

Designed by local architect William G. Robinson, this castle-like edifice was constructed in 1884-86 for Colonel E. Crofton Fox and his brother Charles. Built of granite block imported from Scotland, this house is a fine example of Chateauesque Style architecture. A Heritage Hill landmark, this house features leaded and stained glass windows, and a metal stair dormer superbly crafted to resemble stone. Its interior is adorned with parquet flooring in the entry hall and a carved oak staircase. It was refurbished as a restaurant in 1978.

The Fox Brothers, Ethelbert Crofton (1852-1904) and Charles (1853-1915), local lumber barons, built this structure as their home. These brothers were partners in a Grand Rapids lumbering firm, Osterhout, Fox & Company, and accumulated vast wealth. Appointed to the State Military Board by Governor Cyrus Luce in 1887, E. Crofton, a colonel, was twice elected president of that organization. He was also associated with with banking and was treasurer of the City Board of Trade. Charles was the founder of the Michigan Trust Company, established in 1889.

Currently it is the office of Stonecastle Dentistry

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the James Scott Castle Residence

Posted on August 10, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Detroit, Houses .

I kinda have this rule that I wont post any “Ruin Porn” in Detroit but I also have been taking photos of Castles in Michigan, so this one is kind of a dilemma, but since you are looking at this photo, you can figure out that I have decided to post it. I think it’s too important of a house, not to post.

This is the James Scott residence on the comer of Peterboro and Park in the Midtown District. James Scott’s father also named James Scott was a prominent business man in Detroit and when he died in the 1870’s he gave a large fortune to his son. He built this house in 1887 but from what I read Mr Scott was not the most well respected person in Detroit. When he built his house he wanted to purchase the property south of his, when the owner would not sell it to him he built a giant wall to block the sun from reaching his neighbors house, that is supposedly why the south wall has no windows.

when he died in 1910 he left the city $200,000. to build a fountain and stipulated that there needs to be a statue of him. Many of the citizens did not want to build the fountain because of the stipulation and felt he was not worthy of a statue. Some pointed out that he apparently never worked a day in his life and was best known for the time he spent in downtown bars. eventually it was decided to spend his money and expand Belle Isle and build a fountain.

the home eventually was converted into apartments then suffered from a fire in the 70’s and was left abandoned, recently a developer has plans to spend 7 million dollars and converting it into condominiums. you can read about it HERE

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I Might Be Crazy, But at least I am not Eating Road Kill

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, Houses .

My wife went with me on this recent trip around the south west part of the state, I think she was thinking it would be a mini vacation, but I thought she was hanging out with me while I was, what I call, working. I don’t think she was planning on me driving all around taking as many pics as I did. After having been on the road for 8 hours of driving and visiting a plethora of places, we were heading down 79 to Charlotte. I saw a car on the side of the road and a guy wondering about, then out of the corner of my eye I saw an old farm house. It was your average abandoned farm house and abandoned houses go. Your typical busted windows and paint pealing with the grass and landscaping growing wild from years of neglect, but I stopped and took a pic (from the road, I don’t trespass). At this point I am sure my wife was thinking I was crazy, but I got a few pics, then I noticed the guy down the road had a stick and was checking out the fresh road kill. I got to thinking, I may be a little crazy but at least I am not inspecting road kill crazy. I’m wondering if he was looking for something fresh for dinner that night. If he was, then I am thinking he should make a trip to Wahjamega for professional help.

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Kempf House – Michigan Historical Marker

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Houses, Michigan Historical Markers .

Cast iron grilles in an ancient Greek floral motif highlight the frieze of this temple-front Greek Revival house. Built in 1853 for Henry D. Bennett, Secretary and Steward of the University of Michigan, it became the home and studio of local musicians Reuben H. and Pauline Widenmann Kempf in 1890. Trained in Germany, Mr. Kempf (1859 – 1945) taught piano and organ, Mrs. Kempf (1860 – 1953), a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory, taught voice. The city of Ann Arbor purchased the house in 1969, and in 1983 it became the Kempf House Center for Local History.

Michigan’s Haunted Mansion

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Forgotten Places, Historic Places, Houses, Uncategorized .

Several sources have said this is one of the most haunted places in Michigan. I am not much of a believer in ghosts, but I do like a good story. Built in 1876, on M53 near Brown City is this old Second Empire mansion. It was the home of and built by John G. Bruce who owned the Bruce and Webster General Merchants with his brother-in-law in Burnside township which he was the postmaster for 16 years. The old house sold a few different times and rumor has it one of the mansion’s owners were said to have been taking the back roads in his automobile when he hit a pedestrian. Terrified at what he had done, he took the body back to the mansion and buried it somewhere on the estate. Some say the ghost of the victim, others simply guilt, caused the man to lose his fortune and drive him to commit suicide by hanging himself in the old bell tower.

Please note this house is not abandoned please be respectful and do not trespass.

I have more about the historic mansion and several other haunted places around the state in the Lost In Michigan books available on Amazon HERE

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