~ BUSINESSES NEAR WALLOON LAKE ~
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just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2014.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
"Clicking" on some color highlighted words may access additional information.
For Businesses Timelined as Separate Properties please click on any of three names below...
Business Center 100 Years Later
2007
2007
Photo Credit: Odalaigh
~ Walloon Lake Businesses That Advertised in the 1953 Melrose Memories Yearbook ~
Melrose Township Unit School Building Walloon Lake MI
Melrose Township Unit School Building Walloon Lake MI
Brower's Grocery (Frozen Foods - Meats Vegetables Drugs Fountain Service Hunting and Fishing Licenses)
Dean's Standard Service (Gas & Oil Candy and Sandwiches)
Albert J. Hass (Plumbing Resort Caretaker Building)
McCutcheon Boat Works
Ross V. Renwick (Quality Groceries - Meats Soda Fountain)
Si's Marine Service (Century Sales and Service Johnson Motors)
Texaco Station (Fishing Tackle Bait and Ice)
Whitfield Packing Co.
Dean's Standard Service (Gas & Oil Candy and Sandwiches)
Albert J. Hass (Plumbing Resort Caretaker Building)
McCutcheon Boat Works
Ross V. Renwick (Quality Groceries - Meats Soda Fountain)
Si's Marine Service (Century Sales and Service Johnson Motors)
Texaco Station (Fishing Tackle Bait and Ice)
Whitfield Packing Co.
Melrose township plans to change business zoning
November 24, 2009|By Brandon Hubbard News-Review Staff Writer
November 24, 2009|By Brandon Hubbard News-Review Staff Writer
MELROSE TOWNSHIP — The Melrose Township Planning Commission is nearing the end of a year of work to combine three commercial districts under a single business district.
Monday the planning commission made the final changes to Ordinance 2 of 2009, which would combine the C-1 commercial district and C-2 resort commercial areas near the U.S. 131 highway into a single "B-1" business district.
The C-3 village commercial, near Walloon Lake, would remain under the current commercial zoning.
"This has been something we have been working on hard for about a year now," said Randy Frykberg, the planning zoning administrator for Melrose Township. "Some (of the commercial districts) are allowed uses that the others aren't, so it has become a question mark recently. We have been holding meetings with residents and businesses in the districts to try to come to a single consensus about how to bring them together under a single zone."Frykberg said that while the zone might sound like a completely new zoning code, it really encompasses the businesses that are currently there.
Any businesses already in place when the new ordinance is enacted would be grandfathered under state law, Frykberg said.
Throughout the meeting Charlevoix County Planner Larry Sullivan said that the township planning commission was much more versed in the specific zoning needs of the township. However, said the planning commission is basically combining two zones together, effectively establishing an entirely new set guidelines.
One of the points of contention was how the draft ordinance would issue "special permits" to future businesses. In the initial draft, the "special permits" would have been reviewed by the planning commission.
But, Sullivan noted that it was state law to have only items listed "special use" in the ordinance be approved. If a business did not fit the permit, it would have to approach the planning commission to make an amendment to the ordinance prior to the having a permit approved.
"Special use permits are something you're not handing out to everyone coming through the door," Sullivan said.
The planning commission unanimously agreed to amend the current wording and review the ordinance for approval next month.
Monday the planning commission made the final changes to Ordinance 2 of 2009, which would combine the C-1 commercial district and C-2 resort commercial areas near the U.S. 131 highway into a single "B-1" business district.
The C-3 village commercial, near Walloon Lake, would remain under the current commercial zoning.
"This has been something we have been working on hard for about a year now," said Randy Frykberg, the planning zoning administrator for Melrose Township. "Some (of the commercial districts) are allowed uses that the others aren't, so it has become a question mark recently. We have been holding meetings with residents and businesses in the districts to try to come to a single consensus about how to bring them together under a single zone."Frykberg said that while the zone might sound like a completely new zoning code, it really encompasses the businesses that are currently there.
Any businesses already in place when the new ordinance is enacted would be grandfathered under state law, Frykberg said.
Throughout the meeting Charlevoix County Planner Larry Sullivan said that the township planning commission was much more versed in the specific zoning needs of the township. However, said the planning commission is basically combining two zones together, effectively establishing an entirely new set guidelines.
One of the points of contention was how the draft ordinance would issue "special permits" to future businesses. In the initial draft, the "special permits" would have been reviewed by the planning commission.
But, Sullivan noted that it was state law to have only items listed "special use" in the ordinance be approved. If a business did not fit the permit, it would have to approach the planning commission to make an amendment to the ordinance prior to the having a permit approved.
"Special use permits are something you're not handing out to everyone coming through the door," Sullivan said.
The planning commission unanimously agreed to amend the current wording and review the ordinance for approval next month.
"By 1894 the total population in Melrose was 505; Clarion 200 and Tolcott 64. Mr. A.J. Hass saw the possibility of the tourist trade and moved his store from Clarion to Tolcott. Mr. Ransom moved his a short time afterward. About this same time Clarion had a huge fire. The Buckley and Petersin mill (former Blood Brothers mill) which sat at the foot of the hill on the site where Mrs. Sedlacek’s barn is now, caught fire. The fire got started in the lumber piles that were placed along the railroad tracks and spread from one to another. The men who were fighting the fire finally were forced to get out of the immediate fire area and remove enough of the piles of lumber so that fires could not jump across. The men worked long and hard. Mr. Ransom rolled a barrel of crackers out of his store for them to eat and finally the fire was under control. The midnight train came down the track and the engineer stopped the engine and came running down the tracks in his carpet slippers to see what was the matter. The heat from the fire was so terrific that it warped the rails." ~ Mildred Burns, longtime Walloon Lake resident
1907-1908 Michigan State Gazetteer ~ Walloon Lake Advertising Page
1907 Businesses in the Village of Walloon Lake
Walloon Lake village businesses advertised as follows in the 1907 ~ J. Russell Thomson's RESORT GUIDE
~ 1907 Destructive Fire At The Foot ~
Businesses Burned
Businesses Burned
In 1907 a destructive fire at Walloon Lake destroyed: W.H. Ransom's general store, Wm. Grund's general store, Grund's feed mill, Fred Shepard's delicatessen store, Archie Belding's boat livery, the village bakery, post office, G.R. & I. deport and other minor buildings.
Picturesque Walloon published in 1911 has the above Grund advertisement on page 53. So, evidently, Mr. Grund rebuilt a Lumber and Building Material business after the fire of 1907 which destroyed his general store, and feed mill, as noted in the news article at the left.
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~ A word search from your own computer is possible on each individual page of this website. ~
Topics on this Business page are listed in somewhat alphabetical order below...
Topics on this Business page are listed in somewhat alphabetical order below...
Barbershop
Brown's Boat Livery Cream Pitcher (Tea Room) Delaney's Bar/George's Place, Cotanches/Russells/Junction Inn/ Dey's Rock Shop Elvyn Lea Lodge Foley's Photography Branch Store Beside Sunset Lodge (Flower's Photography) John L. Ferris (General Merchandise) Gager's/Ransom's Bowling Alley Grund/Gratsch's Boat Livery/LaPpin Village Resort Ice House (Al Hass, Sr.) Joles Boarding House Keeper Junction Inn and the Russell Family and other owners Kent/Clyde's Produce Stand and Joe & Orpha Miller Gas Station Kidd & Leavy Real Estate LaPpins Village Resort The Lofts on Walloon March's Cabins/Dickinson's Cabins and Lodge/Walloon Lodge/Bear River Health March Dancing Pavilion/Hamlin Roller Rink Masters Boat Works & Garage/Hass Merrill's Boat Building and Launch/McCutcheon/Merkle/Pater Minor Construction Company for Geodesic Vacation Domes Murner/Hass Rental Cottages Niles & Tillapaugh Grocery The New Walloon (also see Borisch Businesses on this website) Ransom's Bowling Alley (Gager's/Ransom's) Ransom's General Store Resorter (Newspaper at the Foot) Rustic Ball Room/March's & Hamlin's Roller Rink (Pied Piper) Sheatsley's Saw Mill Shepard/Crago/Brower General Store State Bank & Trust Company > Old Kent Bank > ? > Post Office Sweet Tooth Tom E. Lewis/Si's Marine/Triton Marine Walloon Lake Boat Company Walloon Lake Telephone Service Walloon Lake Winery Whitfield Packing Company Whittaker's Service Station (Dee's) /Lake Area Collision John Wild/Boat Builder Industry Winsor & Co. Boat Works |
Walloon Lake Businesses
1913
1913
Delaney's Bar/Junction Inn and the Russell Family
The Walloon Lake building/business known as the Junction Inn was named in the very beginning by Bee Russell. Otto G. "Bud" and Bee Russell had two sons, Gary and Dave. Gary attended the "two-room school house" of Walloon Lake, located just across the river toward Boyne City. Dave was born when his family was living in the house behind the Junction Inn. Bud Russell cut meat for one of the general stores in Walloon Lake. The Russell Family moved from Walloon Lake in 1947 to Boyne City MI. In Boyne City the Russell Family owned a grocery store which was located directly across the street from the movie theater. In about 1959 the Russell Family moved to Petoskey where they opened up Russell's Shoe store. In December of 1963, Russell's Shoes (located next to the Circus Shop which still exists in 2014) burned. Losing that space, Russell's rented space from the Manthei Family which had purchased the Palace Theatre building which had been located next to the 2014 downtown Kilwin's store. From that location, Dave's Boot Shop and Russell's Shoes store moved to its Lake Street location where it is still very much in operation under the ownership of Dave Russell.
The tavern at the Junction at Walloon was owned by Bruce Cotanche's parents in the 1940s. Perhaps the Cotanche Family bought the Junction Inn from the Russell Family.
The tavern at the Junction at Walloon was owned by Bruce Cotanche's parents in the 1940s. Perhaps the Cotanche Family bought the Junction Inn from the Russell Family.
Does anyone know IF this George's Place was the same location as the Junction Inn? Contact me if you know please.
It has been shared that YES... George's Place is the same facility as Junction Inn. George's Place was name after the then owner George and Ruth Biallas.
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Any help regarding this business will be appreciated. Contact me with any additional information please. These are some of the owners/proprietors of George's Place and/or Junction Inn:
George's Place (George Biallas built it in 1936.)
Cotanches (Bruce Cotanche told me that his folks owned it in the 1940s???)
Russells (owned it some years in the 1940s)
Jack and Ruth Sharpe owned it in 1948
Delaney's
McLaughlins (March 1950)
Harold and Helen Behm, according to her obituary, owned it after 1965.
Reeves
John and Kristin Parent
George's Place (George Biallas built it in 1936.)
Cotanches (Bruce Cotanche told me that his folks owned it in the 1940s???)
Russells (owned it some years in the 1940s)
Jack and Ruth Sharpe owned it in 1948
Delaney's
McLaughlins (March 1950)
Harold and Helen Behm, according to her obituary, owned it after 1965.
Reeves
John and Kristin Parent
Obituary below for June Grace Delaney found on the Stone Funeral Home ~ Petoskey webpage:
June Grace Delaney, 88, formerly of Big Rapids and Boyne City, died June 15, 2017 at her home in Harbor Springs, MI.
June was born June 5, 1929, the daughter of William and Grace Gail (Cline) Kuhlman. She married Royce Edward Delaney on January 23, 1950.
June is survived by her children, Steven (Monica) Delaney, Kathy (Tim) Delaney-Jones and Tamara (Paul Gough) Delaney; grandchildren, Heather (Alex) Costas, Heidi (Kyle) Mellema and Stephanie (Marty) Vance; great grandchildren, Andrea and Brandon Costas, Delaney and Mason Mellena and Thomas Vance; and her sister, Doris Peterson. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Marjorie Waltz, Birdena Allen, Darlene Frey, Bill Kuhlman and Leo Kuhlman.
There will be a memorial service at Stackus Funeral Home in Boyne City, MI on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with a one hour visitation prior to the service. Pastor David Behling will officiate.
Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey is in care of arrangements.
June was born June 5, 1929, the daughter of William and Grace Gail (Cline) Kuhlman. She married Royce Edward Delaney on January 23, 1950.
June is survived by her children, Steven (Monica) Delaney, Kathy (Tim) Delaney-Jones and Tamara (Paul Gough) Delaney; grandchildren, Heather (Alex) Costas, Heidi (Kyle) Mellema and Stephanie (Marty) Vance; great grandchildren, Andrea and Brandon Costas, Delaney and Mason Mellena and Thomas Vance; and her sister, Doris Peterson. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Marjorie Waltz, Birdena Allen, Darlene Frey, Bill Kuhlman and Leo Kuhlman.
There will be a memorial service at Stackus Funeral Home in Boyne City, MI on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with a one hour visitation prior to the service. Pastor David Behling will officiate.
Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey is in care of arrangements.
2018
The Junction Inn is once again up for sale, after having run for a couple of years.
The Junction Inn is once again up for sale, after having run for a couple of years.
May 2021
The siding on the old Junction Inn has been peeled back to the
"Delaney's Liquor–Beer–Wine" signage on the siding, in preparation for renovation.
The siding on the old Junction Inn has been peeled back to the
"Delaney's Liquor–Beer–Wine" signage on the siding, in preparation for renovation.
John and Kristin Parent who live on North Shore Drive in their "Charmwood" cottage,
are the owners of the newly renovated Junction Inn Bar & Grill.
are the owners of the newly renovated Junction Inn Bar & Grill.
Click HERE to access the Walloon Junction Bar & Grill Facebook page.
Barbershop
George Bracey (Date Unknown as Barber)
Walter Fineout (Later moved his Barber Business to Boyne City MI)
Walter Fineout (Later moved his Barber Business to Boyne City MI)
The Cream Pitcher
(Located where the Women's Guild Building was Later)
On the North Shore block between Bullock and Montague.
Located a couple of doors north of the church past the parsonage.
(Located where the Women's Guild Building was Later)
On the North Shore block between Bullock and Montague.
Located a couple of doors north of the church past the parsonage.
O.W. Dey's Rock Shop
O.W. Dey's Rock Shop displayed rocks, rocks, and more rocks, in the enclosed front porch of Mr. and Mrs. Dey's home on the main road just approaching the Village of Walloon Lake. The postcard below shows Mr. and Mrs. Dey in their front yard. The postcard has written on the back: "'REAL STONE JEWELRY' World-wide rough gemstones are cut, designed and polished here. Jewelry articles include BRACELETS and NECKCHAINS (one or multiple gem), BROOCHES, SCATTER PINS, EAR ORNAMENTS (Pierced, button, or dangle type) KEY CHAINS, PAPER WEIGHTS, PENSTANDS, etc. BIRTH-STONE GEMS of various sizes (preforms or facetted style) can be had in ring bands to suit your personal taste. Agency Rockworking Machinery, O.W.DEY, WALLOON LAKE, MICHIGAN. PHONE KELLOGG 1-2741."
Letter Below: Evidently, Marion Jean Bush Howard had asked Mr. O.W. Dey, Ex Superintendent of Boyne Falls Schools, for some verification that yes, she had graduated from Boyne Falls MI Public Schools. He stated that she had graduated in the Spring of 1940. Marion's Chandler Township home had burned in 1947, so perhaps her diploma had perished in the fire.
In 2014, the Dey house is owned and occupied by Alvin and Gloria Vandusen as a residence, not a business.
The Elvyn Lea Lodge, so named in 2013, was previously in the late 1950s, the Village Inn Lodge and Ski Area... located just beyond the bridge at The Foot. When it was The Village Inn, it included a poma lift and was promoted as a lodge and ski area. Therefore on this Walloon Lake Wanderings website, much additional information about The Village Inn/Elvyn Lea Lodge is presented at the bottom of the webpage about Ski Areas under Other Extensions on the menu above.
Photo Below: 1970s advertisement from the North Country News when the Elvyn Lea was once known as Village Inn Ski Lodge.
The Village Inn Ski Lodge was built and operated by Harland and Every McKinnon.
The Village Inn Ski Lodge was built and operated by Harland and Every McKinnon.
John L. Ferris ~ General Merchandise
John L. Ferris born 29 January 1862 in New York became a clerk in a general store at the age of seventeen, leading to an independent business career. From 1885 to 1895 he was in the general merchandise business at Walloon Lake. His first important office was as township supervisor in Walloon Lake, serving two terms. Does anyone know which business Mr. Ferris was associated in Walloon Lake?
J.R. Foley Photography Branch Store
Article Below: Mr. Flower was not yet noted in the newspaper as servicing Walloon Lake, but if he were Petoskey's First Photographer before 1880, he may well have taken photos of Walloon Lake people.
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A Directory of Early Michigan Photographers by David V. Tinder is on-line.
Click HERE to access more information about John Foley's most famous photo of a night shot of the huge throne built by Stanley Kellogg for Petoskey's Winter Carnival in 1937. Foley's picture was taken at night, and showed the entire throne in detail. The photograph was used for a postcard, and sent all over the United States by local residents and winter sports visitors.
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Gager's/Ransom's Bowling Alley
14 June 1901 ~ The Independent Democrat article stated:
"Mr. Jim Hass is putting up a large building in Talcott to be used for a bowling Alley."
"Mr. Jim Hass is putting up a large building in Talcott to be used for a bowling Alley."
Ransom's General Store
Brown's Boat Livery and Shepard/Crago/Brower's General Store
A copy was made of the 1930 photo below (found at the Boyne City Historical Museum ) showing Walloon Lake in the Winter.
Before Roy Brown owned the buildings in the photo below showing Brown's Boat Livery/Garage, it had been owned by Merrill Boat Livery and Bathhouse. Brown added the gas station. Two of Brown's buildings were purchased by Alva and Goldie Sheatsley Starr who turned the bath house into the Grey Gull Tavern, where the Starr Family lived in the upstairs of the tavern building. The building burned in the 1940s. Where Brown's Boat Livery building was located became, in 1938, the boat works of Ted McCutcheon Sr. which was housed in a distinctive styled Quonset hut. Ted McCutcheon was an accomplished sailboat builder, and was instrumental in the building, through The State of Michigan, of the Sloop Welcome in Mackinaw City, along with another Walloon Lake resident, Ken Starr.
Roy Brown was known to have led a 14 piece band, which played on moonlight rides on steamers with people who had arrived on the G.R.&I. Railroad.
Roy Brown was known to have led a 14 piece band, which played on moonlight rides on steamers with people who had arrived on the G.R.&I. Railroad.
The store to the right of Brown's Boat Livery (almost hidden in the photo above) had a very distinctive siding for most of its timeframe. In 1911, the building housed Crago's Delicatessen until about 1925. The Crago name was also associated with stores in the Village of Springvale, a nearby lumbering town in Chandler Township. From Walloon Lake village, the Crago Family moved their grocery business to Petoskey, where the business was eventually sold out to Oleson's Food Market. A.J. Crago had purchased this Walloon Lake store building from Fred Shepard. Fred had had a different building, built in 1895/96, in that same location, but the building had burned in the fire of 1907. Fred rebuilt after the fire, and then sold it to A.J. Crago. Some of the other owners of the building/business to follow Crago (see photo left) were: A.E. Hass, Frank Barden, Jr., Gerard Mudd, Harvey Schach, Walt Webber, and Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Brower who were the owners in the 1950/60 era when I came to Walloon Lake. I remember Brower's soda fountain where "soda jerk" Ken Klumpp made the best cherry cokes, and real ice cream sodas (see photo above left of Ken standing in front of Brower's General Store). Ken's older brother Denny Klumpp is also credited with making the thickest shakes when Mrs. Brower was not watching over his shoulders. Everyone around the Walloon Lake area frequented the village general stores, and Ken Klumpp remembers waiting on C.E. Wilson's driver there at Brower's. C.E. Wilson was the Secretary of Defense during those years. During some of the very early years of the Shepard building [Photo Below], the upper floor was a dance hall. ~ Karla Howard Buckmaster
Picturesque Walloon published 1911 described on page 54, the Delicatessen and Grocery:
"Complete, new, clean, fresh stock each season. Only open summers. Most popular brands of delicacies, condiments to the most staple groceries, confectionery, toilet articles and fishing tackle. We carry the highest class goods in every line. Cottages for rent. Inquiries answered. F. Shepherd, Walloon Lake, Mich."
Not many years after the valiant attempt to "Spruce up Walloon" the marina next to the Shepard/Browers building had burned, and left the siding on the side of the building hanging, as shown in the 2003 photo below. |
Two photos below: Article below left told about the Friends of the Walloon Lake Library salvaging the tin from the ceiling and walls of the Shepard Building which was to be razed in 2006, to sell as a fund raiser. The photo below right was photographed as it hung on the wall of Bob and Myra Stevens Brower's home in Petoskey. Myra had painted the tin in brown and white to emphasize the beautiful embossing on the tin. The description tag states: "F. Shepard Building 1895 ~ 2006 Walloon Lake Village." Bob's parents Mr. and Mrs. Brower owned and ran the store from 1946 until they retired in 1964.
Obituaries of Those Associated with the Walloon Lake General Store on the Lake Side of the Road...
Sweet Tooth
The little Sweet Tooth house had been moved across the street
from where it had been located beside the Barrel Back.
from where it had been located beside the Barrel Back.
Grund/Gratsch/LaPpin
1954 Article Above: Miss Cora Smith was the daughter of A.K. Smith, who was owner of the bowl factory here [Grund's location].
Believe that was better known as the Oval Wood Dish Co. It was located near where Bill Gratsch now has his Village Boat Livery.
Believe that was better known as the Oval Wood Dish Co. It was located near where Bill Gratsch now has his Village Boat Livery.
William Grund actually built a motion picture theater in 1913 on this Foot corner location. The theater only lasted about three years as it was not very popular. Another business which had been located near the Village of Walloon boat launch in the photo below was Grund's Delco Plant which produced electricity from a wood-fired boiler. Grund used wood from his sawmill to fire the boiler. Heinie Grund then ran a boat launch from this location in the 20s and 30s, until Bill Gratsch, in 1949, operated it as a Boat Livery. Bill Gratsch added cabins which he and wife Evelyn rented as Village Resort.
Mrs. Kotesky of Moliner, Michigan, formerly Mrs. Jannachek, sold her property on Walloon Lake known as Silver Birches
to Mrs. Shephard of Walloon Lake in 1911.
to Mrs. Shephard of Walloon Lake in 1911.
~ Village Resort ~
The photos below (some with glimpses of Walloon Lake) of the Village Resort with its rental cottages were submitted by David Anolick whose family began renting a couple of cottages at the Village Resort in 1960. David explained: "My maternal Grandparents Robert and Lorine Buescher, along with my Aunt Lil started renting one of the small red brick cottages every August for a week or two at what used to be the Village Resort adjacent to the public launch at the foot. They took me and my cousin Mike who was a year older than I with them, probably to give our mothers a break. Growing up in the concrete jungle of Detroit, the exposure to nature at its finest and the social/economic class of Wallooners was a gift from my Grandparents that I will always treasure. My Uncle Tom and Aunt Jinx Buescher along with their three boys Tom, Greg, and Brian also rented a cottage at the Village Resort." Since those rental days, with seasons of enjoying the Walloon Lake surroundings, both David with his wife Mary Lou Storey Anolick, and David's cousin Brian Buescher own their own cottages on Walloon Lake.
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~ Walloon Lake Memories in the Making ~
David and Mary Lou Anolick were married on the shore of Walloon Lake.
Thirty-one years later their daughter Alison (now LaBrie) was married in the memorable shoreline setting.
Alison is seen in the photo below with her sister Mary Anolick.
David and Mary Lou Anolick were married on the shore of Walloon Lake.
Thirty-one years later their daughter Alison (now LaBrie) was married in the memorable shoreline setting.
Alison is seen in the photo below with her sister Mary Anolick.
The 1966 photos below submitted by David Anolick of his Buescher Cousins; Tom, Greg, and Brian,
at the Village Resort in Walloon Lake, each show glimpses of Walloon Lake in the backgrounds.
at the Village Resort in Walloon Lake, each show glimpses of Walloon Lake in the backgrounds.
Photo Below: People gather at the time of snow mobile gathering in from of LaPpins Village Resort at Walloon Lake.
After Bill and Evelyn Gratsch had their Village Resort at this location,
Mr. LaPpin owned the building which has also served as a bait shop.
Next the property went to Harry Barr and later Howard Bills.
An undated Petoskey Evening News article of Walloon Lake with Elver Carroll, Correspondent, stated about Bill Gratsch's The Village Seaport: "The Village Seaport, under the management of Bill Gratsch, set a record one day last week, for the number of planes serviced in one day. He had three in that afternoon. Two CBs and one pontoon job. It may be they notice him more this year because of the windsock."
The 4 May 2014 photo above left of the previous Grund/Gratsch/LaPpin location was taken from vantage of the Barrel Back Restaurant.
The plastic fenced area between the restaurant and the Grund/Gratsch/LapPin location
will soon be a new hotel built and owned by the Borisch Family.
The 9 May 2014 photo above right of the previous Grund/Gratsch/Lappin location was taken from vantage of the Walloon Lake Inn.
The plastic fenced area between the restaurant and the Grund/Gratsch/LapPin location
will soon be a new hotel built and owned by the Borisch Family.
The 9 May 2014 photo above right of the previous Grund/Gratsch/Lappin location was taken from vantage of the Walloon Lake Inn.
A.E. Hass had the A.E. Hass General Merchandise store located
next to the railroad tracks in the Village of Walloon Lake before the 1907 fire.
next to the railroad tracks in the Village of Walloon Lake before the 1907 fire.
Ice House
"Al Hass, Sr. had thought up lots of ways of making money and one of them was of building a large Ice House to store ice he had cut during the winter so he could furnish the resorters with ice all summer. The Ice House was located just back of where the railroad station stood and near his mansion. No one then thought that any of us resorters would ever buy our own refrigerators and leave them here all winter, but that’s what happened and Al’s idea turned sour and all his business fell off. Many of the hotels put up their own ice and we got ours from Sam Garringer who delivered it for the Fern Cottage Hotel. That was an interesting procedure, although we summer people didn’t get to see it as the ice was harvested in the winter after the lake froze. The ice had to be 18” thick as it would melt down to about ice box size by summer. My job each summer was to keep track of the pan under the ice box and empty it before it overflowed. I often forgot it and then got scolded until I persuaded the folks to let me bore a small hole in the floor into which I stuck a funnel so the melting ice just wound up on the dirt below."
~ James C. Whitfield, Sr.
~ James C. Whitfield, Sr.
In an undated Petoskey News Review article about the life of John Kilborn, Bear Creek Township resident who lived close to Walloon Lake, Reg Sharkey wrote about John's knowledge of Ice Hauling:
"In the winter of 1921 the Petoskey Ice Co. was putting up ice taken from Little Traverse Bay. John put two teams to work and started hauling ice from where it was being cut, about four miles from Petoskey. On this first trip back to shore his sleigh broke through the ice on one side and part of the load was lost. Finding a solid place, all the rest of the teamsters unloaded and headed for shore. After the boss changed sites and gave the teamsters insurance on their teams they went back to work. However, John didn't go back, but his teams, driven by the Taylor Brothers, worked until the ice houses in the area were full. John said that he doesn't remember any teams going through the ice on the bay, but a couple of teams were lost on Walloon Lake."
"In the winter of 1921 the Petoskey Ice Co. was putting up ice taken from Little Traverse Bay. John put two teams to work and started hauling ice from where it was being cut, about four miles from Petoskey. On this first trip back to shore his sleigh broke through the ice on one side and part of the load was lost. Finding a solid place, all the rest of the teamsters unloaded and headed for shore. After the boss changed sites and gave the teamsters insurance on their teams they went back to work. However, John didn't go back, but his teams, driven by the Taylor Brothers, worked until the ice houses in the area were full. John said that he doesn't remember any teams going through the ice on the bay, but a couple of teams were lost on Walloon Lake."
Three Photos Below: The Robert Wheaton Family hauled ice from Walloon Lake in the early 1940s.
The third photo below pictured Robert Wheaton's ice making equipment which was nearly lost in the Spring Thaw.
The third photo below pictured Robert Wheaton's ice making equipment which was nearly lost in the Spring Thaw.
Although the 1882 news article below was about nearby Harbor Springs rather than Walloon Lake, it is interesting.
Who would have thought of this happening as being a peril of packing an ice house?
Who would have thought of this happening as being a peril of packing an ice house?
Clyde Kent Produce Stand and Joe and Orpha Miller Gas Station
In the early 1930s, Clyde Kent Built the unique little Round Stone Building as a Produce Stand located at the Junction of Old State Road and US 131. By the 1940s the building had become a residence, as it remains in 2014. The gas station across the road, at the bottom of Short's Hill was originally owned and operated by Joe and Orpha Miller. The gas station building which now exists is not the original building.
The Kent Family had Chandler Hill connections in that according to Charlevoix County Records: "June 18, 1912 Jennie Belle Kent was born in Chandler Township to Clyde R. Kent, a laborer of Ohio, and Ona B. Flashman of Michigan." Jennie Belle Kent married Joseph Leo Miller on 12 December 1936 in Emmet County, and had children who still reside in the Charlevoix County area. Their son Andy is a well known musician who often plays in a band that entertains at the Howard Family Reunions at Chandler Township Hall, with Howard Relative Judy Pettis Slocum.
The Kent Family had Chandler Hill connections in that according to Charlevoix County Records: "June 18, 1912 Jennie Belle Kent was born in Chandler Township to Clyde R. Kent, a laborer of Ohio, and Ona B. Flashman of Michigan." Jennie Belle Kent married Joseph Leo Miller on 12 December 1936 in Emmet County, and had children who still reside in the Charlevoix County area. Their son Andy is a well known musician who often plays in a band that entertains at the Howard Family Reunions at Chandler Township Hall, with Howard Relative Judy Pettis Slocum.
4060 M–75 North, Walloon Lake, Michigan 49796 (The Foot)
231-838-2700
231-838-2700
Photo Above:
Wally Kidd, a long-time Wallooner, is the designated realtor for The Renwick Building. Kidd & Leavy Real Estate is located next door to The Renwick Building. Photo Left: Wally Kidd (second from left) participated 18 January 2023 in ground breaking for The Renwick Building; The Foot's newest multi-use project. |
The Lofts on Walloon
(Mixed Use with Lower Level Businesses)
(Mixed Use with Lower Level Businesses)
Five 28 September 2021 Photos Below:
Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley, Up North Imaging
More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley, Up North Imaging
More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
24 December 2021
(Slideshow Below showing progress on The Lofts on Walloon
Click PLAY in upper left corner of main photo or click arrows in upper right corner to move pictures)
(Slideshow Below showing progress on The Lofts on Walloon
Click PLAY in upper left corner of main photo or click arrows in upper right corner to move pictures)
The 2 August 2022 Petoskey News Review reported that in The Lofts on Walloon, on the lower level with commercial spaces, a new shop has opened... 50 Mile Market. Joanna Srigley, whose in-laws had owned the Silver Birch Inn years ago is the store manager. The store will carry merchandise by vendors within 50 miles of Walloon Lake, and sell their items in the one place. The present plan is for the store consistently to open in the summers with occasional holiday markets the rest of the year. UPDATE: As of January 2023 it was announced that 50 Mile Market permanently has closed. By 2023 spring/summer a florist (and more) shop is rumored to be opening.
April 2023: The lower level of The Lofts on Walloon is being used as a temporary space for the Walloon Village General Store until its permanent space will be available on the ground level of The Renwick Building which is in the process of being built. Access additional information about this temporary general store space in The Lofts of Walloon by clicking HERE.
The New Walloon
Picturesque Walloon published in 1911 has the following point of interest to tourists on page 55: "THE NEW WALLOON. The largest modern hotel on Walloon Lake. Rates, $2.00 to $2.50 per day; special by the week. Your patronage solicited. Clyde Bear, Prop., Walloon Lake, Mich.
Above Photo:
L>R: Shepard's Delicatessen, New Walloon Hotel, Gager's bowling alley at the end of the street,
Koneta's bowling alley, and Grund's grocery store.
The New Walloon Hotel was built about 1900 by Alfred Hass.
By 1909 Hass had sold the hotel to Clyde A. Bear who advertised rates of $2.00 to $2.50 per day.
See more information about The New Walloon on this same website.
L>R: Shepard's Delicatessen, New Walloon Hotel, Gager's bowling alley at the end of the street,
Koneta's bowling alley, and Grund's grocery store.
The New Walloon Hotel was built about 1900 by Alfred Hass.
By 1909 Hass had sold the hotel to Clyde A. Bear who advertised rates of $2.00 to $2.50 per day.
See more information about The New Walloon on this same website.
Niles & Tillapaugh Grocery "Dealers in Staple Groceries" existed
BEFORE the fire of 1907 which destroyed much of the Village of Walloon Lake.
Was the James Niles mentioned in the articles below, the same person as the Niles mentioned above with the Grocery Store?
BEFORE the fire of 1907 which destroyed much of the Village of Walloon Lake.
Was the James Niles mentioned in the articles below, the same person as the Niles mentioned above with the Grocery Store?
Originally, the Butter Bowl Factory was located at the end of the West Arm... Mud Lake. It was later moved to The Foot of Walloon Lake where it had better access to the wood/trees needed to make the bowls.
From the 1901 Charlevoix County Plat Map Patron's Directory page 45:
Mrs. Walter Joles of Melrose Township:
"Boarding House Keeper. Mr. Joles was born in Jefferson County, N.Y. October 25, 1860; came to Michjigan in 1879, married to Miss May Livingston February 1, 1882. Mrs. Joles was born in Toronto, Canada, August 28, 1863. They have 3 children. Post-Office Talcott"
Mrs. Walter Joles of Melrose Township:
"Boarding House Keeper. Mr. Joles was born in Jefferson County, N.Y. October 25, 1860; came to Michjigan in 1879, married to Miss May Livingston February 1, 1882. Mrs. Joles was born in Toronto, Canada, August 28, 1863. They have 3 children. Post-Office Talcott"
From the 1901 Charlevoix County Plat Map Patron's Directory page 45:
R.T. Merrill of Melrose Township:
"Builder of High-Grade Row Boats, Launches, Gasoline Launches. Experienced Guide for Fishing Parties. Special attention given to Repair work. Boat, Livery and Bath House in connection. Post-Office Walloon Lake"
From the 14 June 1901 The Independent Democrat:
"Ramsom Merrils is erecting a large building in Talcott."
R.T. Merrill of Melrose Township:
"Builder of High-Grade Row Boats, Launches, Gasoline Launches. Experienced Guide for Fishing Parties. Special attention given to Repair work. Boat, Livery and Bath House in connection. Post-Office Walloon Lake"
From the 14 June 1901 The Independent Democrat:
"Ramsom Merrils is erecting a large building in Talcott."
From the 1901 Charlevoix County Plat Map Patron's Directory page 45:
W.H. Ransom of Melrose Township:
"Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, Shoes, Hardware and Tinware. Supplies of all kinds. Postmaster of Clarion. Post-Office Clarion"
W.H. Ransom of Melrose Township:
"Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, Shoes, Hardware and Tinware. Supplies of all kinds. Postmaster of Clarion. Post-Office Clarion"
From the 1901 Charlevoix County Plat Map Patron's Directory page 45
John F. Sheatsly of Melrose Township:
"Proprietor of Saw and Planing Mill. Manufacturing of all kinds of Rough and Dressed Lumber. Post Office Clarion Section 9"
John F. Sheatsly of Melrose Township:
"Proprietor of Saw and Planing Mill. Manufacturing of all kinds of Rough and Dressed Lumber. Post Office Clarion Section 9"
Merrill's/McCutcheon's Boat Works/ Merkle's Walloon Marine
Picturesque Walloon published 1911 described on page 54, Merrill's Boat Livery:
"Largest launch livery in the north. New and modern launches of size and capacity to suit the occasion. Manufacturer of high grade motor boats. Estimates and specifications furnished and references given. Everything in launch suppliers. Large bath house in connection. R.T. Merrill, Prop., Walloon Lake, Mich."
Merrill's Boat Livery was located near the bath house and the bathing beach. Years later this location, was owned by Ted McCutcheon, Sr. The quonset was built in 1946 after World War II by Ted, a veteran of the Navy's Sea Bees, in part, with the help of some of the young male summer residents. The quonset's purpose was for storing and launching sailboats. The boats were built in the McCutcheon Boat Works shop at the curve in State Street (M-75), a block from the Foot and across the street from the large Hass house. The shop also included the office, albeit an office with wood shavings and dust from making masts and boatbuilding. After the shop and its contents were destroyed by fire in February 1956, Ted had to suspend building 17s, because the templates and molds for the sailboats were burned as well. The quonset was unheated and too cold during the winter months, so Ted rented space from Jim Whitfield, Sr., whose canning company was no longer in operation. The canning company was on a hill to the right of Walloon Lake's current library. Eventually, Ted ended up building boats for Dave Irish in Harbor Springs before reopening his boat business at the Charlevoix end of Lake Charlevoix in the late 1960s (History of Ted McCutcheon’s boat business submitted from Ted’s daughter Margaret 'Pinky' McCutcheon Wagner).
Previous to the two lakeside locations of McCutcheon Boat Works, Ted McCutcheon Sr. worked in a building away from the lakeside of the road. Burt Burns owned the shop... a boatbuilding shop. Ted worked there for Foster Boat Works before World War II, and learned how to make 17s. Ted also lived there as well.
The Sail Magazine 2007 article "The Test of Time", gives a brief history of the Walloon Yacht Club's history, beginning as follows: "Although powerboat racing dominated the first two decades of Walloon Yacht Club’s 100-year history, it is sailboat racing that has withstood Walloon Lake’s test of time. The first recorded sailboat racing on Michigan’s Walloon Lake occurred in 1909, though the powerboat racing club had been formed in 1907. Serious sailboat racing under the Universal Rule on Walloon Lake began in 1926." The article talks about the 17s which were perfected by Ted McCutcheon Sr. who has a long history with boats in the Northern Michigan region, especially in the Walloon Lake area where he lived. His son Ted McCutcheon Jr. also has celebrity with building boats... smaller sizes however, of model boats.
Ted McCutcheon Sr. bought his sailboat business, including the 17s, in 1938 from Bill Loughlin. The Snipe was on Walloon Lake by the middle of the 1930s. By the 1970s Sunfish were beginning to race on Walloon Lake.
From 1938, until the building burned in February of 1956, Ted McCutcheon Sr. used the former Gager Bowling Alley and Roller Skating Rink site, located on the corner, next to the lake, approaching the Village of Walloon Lake, to build sailboats. It was after this fire that McCutcheon's Boat Works was moved to the quonset hut as written above.
Later, Merkel's Walloon Marine, and then the Triton Boat Works (photos farther below on this webpage) occupied the quonset location.
The two photos below show the remains of Ted McCutcheon Sr.'s sailboat business building after the 1956 fire.
"Largest launch livery in the north. New and modern launches of size and capacity to suit the occasion. Manufacturer of high grade motor boats. Estimates and specifications furnished and references given. Everything in launch suppliers. Large bath house in connection. R.T. Merrill, Prop., Walloon Lake, Mich."
Merrill's Boat Livery was located near the bath house and the bathing beach. Years later this location, was owned by Ted McCutcheon, Sr. The quonset was built in 1946 after World War II by Ted, a veteran of the Navy's Sea Bees, in part, with the help of some of the young male summer residents. The quonset's purpose was for storing and launching sailboats. The boats were built in the McCutcheon Boat Works shop at the curve in State Street (M-75), a block from the Foot and across the street from the large Hass house. The shop also included the office, albeit an office with wood shavings and dust from making masts and boatbuilding. After the shop and its contents were destroyed by fire in February 1956, Ted had to suspend building 17s, because the templates and molds for the sailboats were burned as well. The quonset was unheated and too cold during the winter months, so Ted rented space from Jim Whitfield, Sr., whose canning company was no longer in operation. The canning company was on a hill to the right of Walloon Lake's current library. Eventually, Ted ended up building boats for Dave Irish in Harbor Springs before reopening his boat business at the Charlevoix end of Lake Charlevoix in the late 1960s (History of Ted McCutcheon’s boat business submitted from Ted’s daughter Margaret 'Pinky' McCutcheon Wagner).
Previous to the two lakeside locations of McCutcheon Boat Works, Ted McCutcheon Sr. worked in a building away from the lakeside of the road. Burt Burns owned the shop... a boatbuilding shop. Ted worked there for Foster Boat Works before World War II, and learned how to make 17s. Ted also lived there as well.
The Sail Magazine 2007 article "The Test of Time", gives a brief history of the Walloon Yacht Club's history, beginning as follows: "Although powerboat racing dominated the first two decades of Walloon Yacht Club’s 100-year history, it is sailboat racing that has withstood Walloon Lake’s test of time. The first recorded sailboat racing on Michigan’s Walloon Lake occurred in 1909, though the powerboat racing club had been formed in 1907. Serious sailboat racing under the Universal Rule on Walloon Lake began in 1926." The article talks about the 17s which were perfected by Ted McCutcheon Sr. who has a long history with boats in the Northern Michigan region, especially in the Walloon Lake area where he lived. His son Ted McCutcheon Jr. also has celebrity with building boats... smaller sizes however, of model boats.
Ted McCutcheon Sr. bought his sailboat business, including the 17s, in 1938 from Bill Loughlin. The Snipe was on Walloon Lake by the middle of the 1930s. By the 1970s Sunfish were beginning to race on Walloon Lake.
From 1938, until the building burned in February of 1956, Ted McCutcheon Sr. used the former Gager Bowling Alley and Roller Skating Rink site, located on the corner, next to the lake, approaching the Village of Walloon Lake, to build sailboats. It was after this fire that McCutcheon's Boat Works was moved to the quonset hut as written above.
Later, Merkel's Walloon Marine, and then the Triton Boat Works (photos farther below on this webpage) occupied the quonset location.
The two photos below show the remains of Ted McCutcheon Sr.'s sailboat business building after the 1956 fire.
Ted McCutcheon Sr.'s unique Quonset hut at The Foot was nestled in the middle building in the photo below,
between Starr's Gas Station, and Brower's General Store.
Photo Below: Ted McCutcheon... this photo was labeled as Irish Boat Works which is in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Perhaps McCutcheon was working there in 1967???
The Quonset building is on the left in the photo below. Ted McCutcheon sold the Quonset building part of his business in 1960 or 1961. Elver Carroll wrote in the 22 April 1960 Petoskey News Review: "...the McCutcheon Boat Works will have its name changed to Walloon Marine this year. That is the word we have from the Merkels". Ted later ran his business from a Charlevoix MI location where he became involved with building The Sloop Welcome, which Ken Starr of Walloon Lake also helped to build in the 1970s in Mackinac City for the Michigan State Park Commission.
The quonset, as shown in the photo above left, was torn down in the 1990s.
A couple of people who were working at the Walloon Marine when Jon Merkle ran it,
were Ken Starr, Dave Gallagher, and Pieter Kroon (a Dutchman).
Pieter Kroon designed a new style sailboat as shown in the photo below being sailed by Ken Starr and Jon Merkle.
Masters/Hass Boat Works & Garage
and
The Michigan Incubator Company
and
The Michigan Incubator Company
In the early part of the 1900s Masters & Hass Boat Company was located on the far side of the roadway behind the post office. The sign on the side of their building stated: "Masters and Hass Boat Co. Builders of the Famous Masterscraft". That building eventually was torn down... with a building behind that one, being moved forward, and Burt Burns used that building as a shop. It was beside that building that Burt Burns created an ice rink in the winters for the community children to use. In the upstairs of the Masters & Hass Boat Company Building, the Michigan Incubator factory had been located. The incubators were built during the off-season of the boat works. Mr. Hass eventually sold his interest in the building to Mr. Masters.
Below Photo from an old advertisement: The depiction of the Michigan Incubator Company is NOT factual in that the orientation of the building was not such to have Walloon Lake showing in that location in the background. The railroad tracks are correct in the advertisement, but in actuality, the tracks ran toward the right, and that was where Walloon Lake was located. This advertisement seems to have been only for visual effect.
Photo Below:
The west end of Masters and Hass Boat Works with Grund Sawmill in the upper right corner
The west end of Masters and Hass Boat Works with Grund Sawmill in the upper right corner
"Walt Master Jr. possessed a keen intellect and managed to graduate from high school and also from Central Michigan University before his father passed away, so he was well prepared to run the business, which he did quite well. Walt, Sr. had had a mechanic and general handy man working for him for many years, Si Simpson and why Walt never made him a partner nor took him into the business was a mystery as Si was a fine man, knew boats and engines in and out. Finally Si quit and bought a big quonset hut just two doors from Masters’ where he went into the boat business in competition. He also did quite well and the one business seemed to augment the other. Si had lost one eye while working for Masters when he was pulling nails out of a board, the head broke off and flew into his eye. He always cautioned anyone he saw pulling nails to be careful and not look toward the nail. Si took to going out with Esther Morgan who cooked for my Mother and before long they were married. They had one son, Robert who took over his father’s business when Si passed away from cancer and some time later he also bought out the Masters place." [See Tom E. Lewis Boat and Auto/Si's Marine/Triton Marine farther down on this very webpage.]
~ James Whitfield, Sr.
~ James Whitfield, Sr.
Bob Steele's memories of this Master and Hass Boat Co. and incubator building, and its location, told the real story. "I spent much time with Burt at his shop behind the Village Store. He told me the story about the Shop. He was born on a farm next to the Randal Point area. During WWI he was too young for military service. In his early years, he managed to acquire a huge old dilapidated building (black as I recall) where the Store is now for next to nothing if he would just get rid of it. With no one to help at the time he took that building apart board by board, storing the wood and using it to build cottages around the Lake for years. This wood was the old, now rare, Michigan White Pine. This Shop at that time had been the machine shop for that old building; Burt had it moved around to where it stands to this day.”
Mr. D.A. Cawthra wrote an endorsement for Masters of Walloon Lake
for the installation of the Scripps Motor in the 1925 Motorboating magazine.
for the installation of the Scripps Motor in the 1925 Motorboating magazine.
Walt Masters endorsed a Chris-Craft engine by stating a record.
The advertisement below was on page 56 of the November 1949 Motorboating magazine.
The advertisement below was on page 56 of the November 1949 Motorboating magazine.
The original Masters Boat Works building in the photos above and below left, was built in about 1910. It was torn down in about 1959, and replaced in the 1960s with the building in the photo below right where the Standard gas pumps hardly could be seen behind the piles of snow. Walt Masters Jr. ran the Masters Boat Works and Garage.
Workers for Master's Boat Works and Si's Marine included Leo L. Ecker.
LATER: In the last years of the existence of Masters Boat Works building, the Hass boys owned it.
It was when they owned the facilities, that the building burned.
It was when they owned the facilities, that the building burned.
The Marches
March's Cabins/ Dickinson's Lodge /Walloon Lodge/Bear River Health
March's Cabins/ Dickinson's Lodge /Walloon Lodge/Bear River Health
Kenny Starr told that his Sheatsley Family Line owned 3 saw/planing mills in the Clarion/Walloon Lake area. This Sheatsley family owned the house that was "inside" Addie and Ray March's [the Dickson Lodge home in 2003 in Walloon Lake MI] home. The March's "built around" the house that had been there.
Marches Motel in the 1960's was in the Village of Walloon Lake MI. Ray and Addie, along with their daughter Marcelyn ran the facility which employed several local area residents who worked for the Marches. Ray and Addie, along with Marcelyn, her husband Hal Hamlin and children lived on the premises. This movie was digitized from the film of an 8 mm camera... no sound.
Photos Below: March's Cabins #1 & 2 were concrete block construction and Cabins #3 & 4 were log cabin construction.
The photo above right includes the kitchen area of one of March's log cabins, with Marion Starr and a gentleman named "Buck", I believe. I cannot remember his last name. Buck and Ben Lucas rented together one of March's cabins, and then drove to their employment with the Mackinac Bridge Authority at the Straits of Mackinac. They were both iron workers, and were instrumental people in the construction of The Mighty Mac, as were all those who helped to build the Mackinac Bridge. The following 1958 video titled "The Five Mile Dream" was made years ago with Lowell Thomas narrating. The video explains the Building of the Mighty Mac, close to the time that it was being built.
A preview of Mike Fornes' book Mackinac Bridge includes many interesting photos, with intriguing text about the Mackinac Bridge.
~ Karla Howard Buckmaster
A preview of Mike Fornes' book Mackinac Bridge includes many interesting photos, with intriguing text about the Mackinac Bridge.
~ Karla Howard Buckmaster
~ Summer of 2015 ~
Bear River Health
Bear River Health
Bear River Health at Walloon Lake is a "growing dual diagnosis and addiction treatment facility, fully licensed by the State of Michigan.
March Dancing Pavilion and Hamlin Roller Rink (Pied Piper)
The building for the March Inn Dancing Pavilion was built in 1935...
the floor was laid by two men and a boy in record time
(3,000 square feet, about 5,500 nine inch square blocks, using mastic on springs for expansion for contraction conditions)...
later to become The Pied Piper of Hamlin.
the floor was laid by two men and a boy in record time
(3,000 square feet, about 5,500 nine inch square blocks, using mastic on springs for expansion for contraction conditions)...
later to become The Pied Piper of Hamlin.
More information can be learned about Camp Wolverine CCC on the Chandler Township Michigan Memories webpage (click here).
|
Photo Below: The New Pied Piper near Walloon Lake. Grand Opening was July 11 and a huge success.
The two parts of the article below came from the 25 August 2010 Boyne City Gazette.
The Band that played at the Rustic Ballroom described themselves as follows:
The Up North Big Band - Charlevoix, MI. We are a 17 piece group from the Petoskey area. We perform at The Rustic Ballroom in Walloon Lake, MI. Swing Dances are held there the 2nd & 4th Saturdays. Web Site: http://www.rusticballroom.com. We generally don't venture beyond northern Michigan and play primarily classic swing era tunes. The contact person is Karl Gilewicz. Telephone: (231) 347-7178 or Email: [email protected].
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ray and Addie Ellis March were two of the most industrious, kindest, and nicest business people of the Village of Walloon Lake. They, and their daughter Marcelyn and her husband Hal Hamlin, became a part of my life in Walloon Lake when my parents divorced in 1955, and my dad (Karl "Cub Howard) stayed on Chandler Hill while my mom (Marion Bush Howard) moved to Walloon Lake. Mom rented March's first cabin... white cement blocks in the photos up above. For income, we cleaned the other cabins which Addie and Ray rented out, daily, weekly, monthly, or however. Mom also worked for Addie when Addie was running the Walloon Lake Country Club where Mom met many of the Summer Resorters. In the winters, Mom worked in Addie and Ray's own house/lodge where meals were served to their patrons. Addie and Ray's patrons rented rooms; some in their house, their motel, the upstairs of the roller rink, or sometimes other Walloon Lake residents would rent rooms in their own homes to make some money (See article below for explaining how busy The Village Inn reported). Everyone wanted to eat Addie and Ray's good food which my mom helped to prepare. I learned to wait tables, and to serve people while working in Addie and Ray's dining room. I remember that Ray taught me how to wash and dry sharp knives with the blade pointed away from the cloth or towel. Ray also taught me that it was okay to chew gum, but no one should be aware by sound or sight that gum was being chewed. Chew it way in the back of the mouth! Now, those are Life Lessons. While I learned a great deal from this business family, I do not remember Addie, Ray, Marcelyn or Hal ever speaking a harsh word to me. After my mom married Ken Starr, we moved from March's cabin, about two city block lengths down the road toward "The Foot", to a house two door from the Melrose School. Then, I needed to earn money to buy my own clothes, so I worked for Addie and Ray's daughter Marcelyn and her husband Hal Hamlin who then were running the roller rink called "The Pied Piper of Hamlin". I had a little windowed work station inside the rink where I was in charge of passing out the skates whenever I was given a ticket to rent out a pair of skates. I had to keep the skates polished, in their correct sized spots on the shelves, and fix any of the wheels that might need new bearings which wore out quickly. I was allowed to skate for free, plus was paid for my time. Not only did I work at the roller rink for Marcelyn and Hal, but I often babysat for their four children; Vicky, Douglas, Linda and Darryll... mostly when they had the two older children. Now Addie, Ray, Marcelyn and Hal have all passed away... the Village of Walloon Lake has suffered a true loss with the passing of these wonderful people. ~ Karla Howard Buckmaster
By 2022 the Pied Piper of Hamlin had become the Junction Event Space, owned and developed by John Parent. Previously, in the 1970s when Al and Judy Reeves owned the Junction Inn next door, the Pied Piper was known as The Rustic Ballroom as noted above. Angie and Jeff Marshall owned both businesses in December 2011. On 16 August 2014 new owners Angie and Jeff Marshall opened the Pied Piper Skatery... reincarnating, and rejuvenating the days of yore with what they termed "The Only Log Structure Roller Rink in the USA!" They did not succeed with their ideas and renovations, however, giving up 11 November 2017. So, it was the summer of 2020 that John Parent purchased both business.
A summarized history of the two parcels... Junction Inn and Pied Piper of Hamlin can be accessed by clicking HERE.
A summarized history of the two parcels... Junction Inn and Pied Piper of Hamlin can be accessed by clicking HERE.
Photo Credit: Odalaigh
Minor Construction Company for Geodesic Vacation Domes
Murner/Hass Rental Cottages
In 2016, Pat Freese Trusler of Florida has identified the cottages in the photo below (the photo had been #68 in the unidentified photos on this website) as the cottages to the right of the Silver Birch Inn (now Walloon Lake Inn). Pat wrote: "My family rented in "the foot" area for years until purchasing the Fisher Cottage on the South Shore." Marilyn Abbett Rader has verified that yes, these are the cottages that her family also rented. Marilyn wrote: "I knew the Freese family and my brother, Frank Abbett, was friends with Pat's brother, Skip... the two cottages plus one more that faced the lake? They are still there. Alfred Hass and Elizabeth Murner owned them. My family rented the back one a few years, and we were in the front one the year Jock and I were married. Elizabeth and family lived in the cottage facing the lake. The cottages had names. One was Sanoma and the other Dakota. I cannot remember Murner's cottage name. I do remember that I was in the Murner cottage and watched the moon landing on their little tv. What fun memories."
Resorter (Newspaper at the Foot)
Sheatsley's Saw Mill
"Sheatsley’s saw mill was just east of March’s house and some of the lumber used in building some of the early homes and cottages came from there. But care had to be taken in using only that lumber which was air dried. Some of the lumber Sheatsley cut was placed in piles with narrow ‘stickers’ put between each layer of boards for circulation. Harry Bardwell who built my folks house once ordered some lumber from Sheatsley, but when it arrived he sent it back as he knew it was ‘green’, still. Only an experienced carpenter would be able to tell the difference."
~ James C. Whitfield, Sr.
~ James C. Whitfield, Sr.
Tom E. Lewis Boat and Auto/Si's Marine/Triton Marine
Photo Above: Mrs. Alfred E. Hass' brother Tom E. Lewis owned the Tom. E. Lewis Boat and Auto Service, located in the building which later housed Si's Marine Service. Si Simpson and wife Esther ran Si's Marine Service for years, with their son Bob helping when he grew older. In later years, Bob Simpson has been a realtor.
Si's Marine Service was started in 1938 by Si Simpson. After Si's death in 1962, his widow Esther operated the boat yard at the Village of Walloon Lake. The main building of the marina was on the lake side, while the storage building was across the road.
Photo Below: In 1996 Tom Rostar Inc. Bait & Tackle, located behind Si's Marine, was advertising in the Walloon Lake Villager.
The website for Triton Marine tells the names of the workers:
In 1991 Mike Strobel started Triton Marine. When Triton first began, it was located in McCutcheon's (then Merkel's) Walloon Lake quonset. Perry Hausler was Mike's first employee and the two installed docks and did minor boat repair. The next year Willard Biallas joined the team and Mike secured a building in Walloon Village to call home. Over the next few years Mike added employees and expanded the business. In 2013, Triton is located in the village (next to the Post Office as in the photo below) and has facilities in Boyne City.
In 1991 Mike Strobel started Triton Marine. When Triton first began, it was located in McCutcheon's (then Merkel's) Walloon Lake quonset. Perry Hausler was Mike's first employee and the two installed docks and did minor boat repair. The next year Willard Biallas joined the team and Mike secured a building in Walloon Village to call home. Over the next few years Mike added employees and expanded the business. In 2013, Triton is located in the village (next to the Post Office as in the photo below) and has facilities in Boyne City.
State Bank & Trust Company > Old Kent > ? > U.S. Post Office
The State Bank and Trust Company of Petoskey Purchased the land on the big corner heading into the Village of Walloon Lake. The bank branch was opened in August 1972. A permanent bank building was built later and became Old Kent. This was the first time that Walloon Village had banking service.
In August 1993 while Old Kent Bank was serving as the bank at The Foot, the bank, along with its threatened teller, was a victim of armed robbery by a 16 year old. The bank closed some time following that. About 1999 Bill Goldsmith purchased the property and since has made arrangements with the U.S. Postal service to lease the building.
Article which described the advertisement at left for the Walloon Hills Riding Stable:
"Riding Instructions to Be Part of Oktoberfest Festivities"
Adding to the desirability of Springbrook Hills, the Walloon Lake area's most complete vacation home complex, is the Walloon Hills Riding Stable. Abutting the project on the west side, Walloon Hills Riding Stable adds another facet to the complete recreation picture of the area. Encompassing over eight square miles of pristine terrain and utilizing old logging roads for riding trails, the stable allows fun riding to fulfill the wants of the ardent horse lover. The rugged yet safe trails enable the rider to enjoy the beauties of natural surroundings with enough challenge to his riding ability to keep the adrenaline moving. Of course, the riders are always accompanied by a trail guide for safety's sake. In addition, a training ring allows the novice horseman to break in his talents for future use of the riding trails. Riding here in the ring is also supervised and riding instructions are available. The new stable, finished this year, houses between seventeen and twenty horses.
Melvin and Beverly Holden, owners and operators of the Walloon Hills Riding Stable, probably are typical of the great number of people who have sought the escape from metropolitan pressures to the tranquility of Northern Michigan living. Mel was born in Bathurst, New Brunswick Canada, and Bev was brought up in Chicago. They met and were married in Detroit and ended up in Walloon Lake in their present business because both had an abiding love for horses. Mel recalls his youth as a round of chores involving horses, New Brunswick being a noted center for the breeding and training of trotters and pacers. Jobs walking "hots"- horse talk for walking a horse to cool it off after exercise or a race - through the actual duties of an exercise boy developed a love for horses that reached fruition at Walloon Hills Riding Stables. Eventually, Mel hopes to found a breeding farm and, hopefully, to concentrate on raising Morgan horses.
As an example of the diverse backgrounds of North Country people, Mel is a graduate electronics engineer, with 18 to 20 years of experience in the most exotic area of electronics - the aerospace industry. In addition to several years working for the Bendix Corp. at their laboratories at Ann Arbor, Mel worked for General Time Corp. who perfected the first use of integrated circuits for space travel. Sounds mundane and vaguely uninteresting until one realizes that this system is the basic means of maintaining the air supply, among other functions, in the capsules that carry our astronauts back and forth to the moon, and that this breakthrough was back in 1962 enabling American's space program to precede.
It's pretty hard to top as romantic a background as Mel's, but Bev comes close. Almost equally as mysterious and exciting as aerospace to the average person is the strange world of television. As assistant promotion manager for WJBK-TV 2 in Detroit, Bev moved among show business personalities that are just figures on the screen to most people. However, the pressures inherent in such a job compares to the aerospace rat race and when the opportunity to move to Walloon Lake arose, Bev's affirmative vote was as loud as Mel's. Having majored in dramatics and speech at Michigan State University and having an education minor, Bev soon found herself teaching in the Melrose School, now a part of the Petoskey School System.
During the Oktoberfest activities at Walloon Lake, a primary attraction will be riding instructions and rides for the young fry at Walloon Hills Riding Stable. Inspection of the premises and an opportunity to talk horses with the experts will make a visit to the Holden's a great experience for not only the horse lover but also for the tyro who wants to see the operation of a riding stable close-up.
"Riding Instructions to Be Part of Oktoberfest Festivities"
Adding to the desirability of Springbrook Hills, the Walloon Lake area's most complete vacation home complex, is the Walloon Hills Riding Stable. Abutting the project on the west side, Walloon Hills Riding Stable adds another facet to the complete recreation picture of the area. Encompassing over eight square miles of pristine terrain and utilizing old logging roads for riding trails, the stable allows fun riding to fulfill the wants of the ardent horse lover. The rugged yet safe trails enable the rider to enjoy the beauties of natural surroundings with enough challenge to his riding ability to keep the adrenaline moving. Of course, the riders are always accompanied by a trail guide for safety's sake. In addition, a training ring allows the novice horseman to break in his talents for future use of the riding trails. Riding here in the ring is also supervised and riding instructions are available. The new stable, finished this year, houses between seventeen and twenty horses.
Melvin and Beverly Holden, owners and operators of the Walloon Hills Riding Stable, probably are typical of the great number of people who have sought the escape from metropolitan pressures to the tranquility of Northern Michigan living. Mel was born in Bathurst, New Brunswick Canada, and Bev was brought up in Chicago. They met and were married in Detroit and ended up in Walloon Lake in their present business because both had an abiding love for horses. Mel recalls his youth as a round of chores involving horses, New Brunswick being a noted center for the breeding and training of trotters and pacers. Jobs walking "hots"- horse talk for walking a horse to cool it off after exercise or a race - through the actual duties of an exercise boy developed a love for horses that reached fruition at Walloon Hills Riding Stables. Eventually, Mel hopes to found a breeding farm and, hopefully, to concentrate on raising Morgan horses.
As an example of the diverse backgrounds of North Country people, Mel is a graduate electronics engineer, with 18 to 20 years of experience in the most exotic area of electronics - the aerospace industry. In addition to several years working for the Bendix Corp. at their laboratories at Ann Arbor, Mel worked for General Time Corp. who perfected the first use of integrated circuits for space travel. Sounds mundane and vaguely uninteresting until one realizes that this system is the basic means of maintaining the air supply, among other functions, in the capsules that carry our astronauts back and forth to the moon, and that this breakthrough was back in 1962 enabling American's space program to precede.
It's pretty hard to top as romantic a background as Mel's, but Bev comes close. Almost equally as mysterious and exciting as aerospace to the average person is the strange world of television. As assistant promotion manager for WJBK-TV 2 in Detroit, Bev moved among show business personalities that are just figures on the screen to most people. However, the pressures inherent in such a job compares to the aerospace rat race and when the opportunity to move to Walloon Lake arose, Bev's affirmative vote was as loud as Mel's. Having majored in dramatics and speech at Michigan State University and having an education minor, Bev soon found herself teaching in the Melrose School, now a part of the Petoskey School System.
During the Oktoberfest activities at Walloon Lake, a primary attraction will be riding instructions and rides for the young fry at Walloon Hills Riding Stable. Inspection of the premises and an opportunity to talk horses with the experts will make a visit to the Holden's a great experience for not only the horse lover but also for the tyro who wants to see the operation of a riding stable close-up.
Walloon Lake Boat Company
Walloon Lake Telephone Service
The very first telephone service for the Village of Walloon Lake was located in the house
which belonged to Walt and Mable Master. It consisted of a switchboard.
See web page on this site for more Walloon Lake Telephone Company information and photos.
which belonged to Walt and Mable Master. It consisted of a switchboard.
See web page on this site for more Walloon Lake Telephone Company information and photos.
Dennis Farms Vineyard & Walloon Lake Winery
First Vines were planted in the Spring of 2013.
3149 Intertown Road, Petoskey, Michigan (One mile from Walloon Lake)
First Vines were planted in the Spring of 2013.
3149 Intertown Road, Petoskey, Michigan (One mile from Walloon Lake)
Photo Below: The back patio...
Photo Below: Connor, just one of the Dennis Family members, ready to serve
"the fruits of their labor" at the Walloon Lake Winery.
"the fruits of their labor" at the Walloon Lake Winery.
Photo Below Left: The tabletops were created from wood cut down on their 36 acres of property.
Photo Below: The five lower rocks of the cairn, just beyond the winery patio,
were collected when digging the foundation for the winery building.
were collected when digging the foundation for the winery building.
Photo Below: The Walloon Lake Winery can handle various events in its large venue center...
with the wine-making facility in the background.
with the wine-making facility in the background.
Walloon Lake Waffle Shop and Tea Room
Whitfield Packing Company
Founded 1936
Founded 1936
The Whitfield Packing Company was located at the corner of Walloon and Smith streets... near to where Walloon Lake's Crooked Tree District Library is located in 2013, on the previous Dale and Vivian Cooper homesite. The Whitfield Packing Company was known for packing various fruits and vegetables like corn and applesauce. The packing plant was a large local economic employer. Orville Vaughn and Betty Wuerth were two of the many employees. Alice Ecker Hinkley worked peeling apples at the Whitfield's canning factory.
During WWII, the government came to Mr. Whitfield with a contract to prepare applesauce for the military. At that time, however, sugar was being rationed, so it was impossible for the packing company to enter into such a contract.
During WWII, the government came to Mr. Whitfield with a contract to prepare applesauce for the military. At that time, however, sugar was being rationed, so it was impossible for the packing company to enter into such a contract.
D. and Esther Whittaker Service Station
"Several times I had to call on Dee Whitaker to put in new rear axles or even new engines into the old Dodge. Once I had to get him to put in a rear axle when the truck was stuck in deep snow at the bottom of 'Pierce Hill'. That he had to do lying flat on this back in the snow. Then, too that engine had a tendency to wear its bearings into an oval shape, which would result in bearing knock and those bearings could only be tightened just so much before they would start knocking again. At one time the bearings got so bad that Dee suggested I get another old engine of that same vintage and change engines, which I did. At least he did it for me right there in his unheated garage behind his house. The engine I got was from another old truck that our state representative who lived on a big hill by Boyne City. I drove over (in my Dodge) I paid my friend $5 for his engine, we loaded it in my truck and I brought it over to Dee's garage. Dee Whitaker was a most obliging and congenial man, as he never seemed to be too busy or indifferent to anyone's need of his mechanical help. He was a good mechanic, doing all sorts of repair work on cars and trucks and when he built his filling-station (it was a log cabin) over on the highway his shop there was always filled with cars, some of them 'junkies'. He always had a hard time collecting his modest bills from some of the local inhabitants as in those days nearly everyone was hard up."
~ James C. Whitfield, Sr.
~ James C. Whitfield, Sr.
D. and Esther Whittaker's gas station in the photo left, with my brother David Howard in the photo, was located on the corner of US 131 and M-75 of Walloon Lake. Because I lived for a period of time, in about 1955, in the first white cabin of Ray and Addie March's Cabins, I was near enough to Whittaker's gas station to go there for candy, pop and potato chip treats. In that period of time, people used to throw litter and bottles out their car windows into the road ditches. Dee and Esther gave a 2¢ bottle refund so I would go along the road ways and pick up bottles to return to Whittaker's so I could buy treats from their store section of their gas station. They kept their pop at that time in a red cooler that had the pop in a maze type of tracking inside the cooler, which could be removed, only after your money had been deposited into the machine. The Whittaker gas Station burned 29 January 1970. Since then their grandson has built a successful Collision business there, as in the advertisement above from the Petoskey News Review.
~Karla Howard Buckmaster |
Photo Above: Arthur Stevens stood in front of Whittaker's gas station by the gas pumps... possibly holding a couple of geese???
John Wild ~ Boat Builder
Winsor & Co. ~ Boat Works
The photo below looks like it may be at The Foot of Walloon Lake.
Was this a corner of Masters Boat Works building?
The "Welcome to Walloon Lake" web site listed the following businesses in 2021 for the Village of Walloon Lake.
Access this and other Walloon Lake information on that web site by clicking HERE.
Access this and other Walloon Lake information on that web site by clicking HERE.