Granot Loma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Granot Loma
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 Location in Michigan
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| Nearest city | Marquette, Michigan |
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| Area | 575 acres (233 ha) |
| Architect | Marshall & Fox; Louden Machinery Co. |
| Architectural style | Rustic log |
| NRHP reference No. | 91000330 |
| Added to NRHP | April 4, 1991 |
Granot Loma is a huge estate, or large property, found near Marquette, Michigan. It was built like the famous "Great Camps" found in the Adirondack Mountains long ago. This amazing place was finished in the early 1900s.
Granot Loma was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Many people say it is the "biggest log cabin in the world." It is also known as the most expensive home in the state of Michigan.
Contents
History of Granot Loma
A rich American businessman named Louis Graveraet Kaufman started building Granot Loma in 1919. He wanted it to be his family's summer home. He hired famous architects named Marshall and Fox from Chicago.
About 300 local workers helped build the estate. They even brought in special pine logs all the way from Oregon. The main lodge was mostly finished by 1923 or 1924. Some of the inside work continued for a few more years.
Loma Farms Complex
In 1927, a farming area called Loma Farms was built nearby. This farm was meant to help provide food and money for the big lodge. It was designed by the Bartlett Construction Company. They used many ideas from the Louden Machinery Company.
Famous Guests at Granot Loma
Louis Kaufman held a big party in 1927 to celebrate Granot Loma being finished. Many famous people visited the estate over the years. These guests included tennis star Bill Tilden and musicians like George Gershwin and Cole Porter. Movie stars like Mary Pickford and dancers like Fred Astaire also stayed there.
Changes Over Time
Louis Kaufman passed away in 1942, and his wife Marie died in 1947. After Marie's death, the farming operations at Loma Farms stopped. One of their daughters, Joan, lived there for a few years.
By 1950, the main lodge was mostly empty. It was only used for special events. The Kaufman family finally sold Granot Loma in 1987 to Tom Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin fixed up the house. In 1991, it became a recognized historic place.
About Granot Loma's Design
The name "Granot Loma" is quite unique. It was created by taking letters from the names of Kaufman's first three children and his wife. Mr. Kaufman hired 22 different architects to help design the huge building.
The special pine logs used for building were shipped by train from Oregon. The whole structure is built on a strong steel frame. This frame sits on a very thick concrete foundation, about two yards deep.
Size and Cost
When it was finished in 1923, the lodge was enormous. It measured about 26,000 square feet. Building it cost around $5 million at that time. That would be like spending $70 million today!
The Granot Loma estate covers a huge area of 5,180 acres of forest. It is located right along the shore of Lake Superior.
Inside the Lodge
The lodge itself is shaped like a giant "L." It is made of logs over a steel frame and has a slate roof. Inside, there is a "great room" that is 60 feet long. The lodge also has 23 or 26 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms. You can find 26 stone fireplaces throughout the building.
The estate has many special and unique decorations. For example, there are Indian and Western art scenes created by Orry-Kelly, a famous designer who won an Academy Award.
Loma Farms Buildings
Loma Farms is a group of thirteen farm buildings. They are made of strong clay tiles. These buildings are located about half a mile from the main lodge.
See also
In Spanish: Granot Loma para niños
