Johns Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Johns Hotel
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Johns Hotel, 2018
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Washington Harbor, on Barnum Island (originally Johns Island), Isle Royale National Park, Michigan |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Architect | Capt. John F. Johns, William T. Johns |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000877 |
| Added to NRHP | August 08, 1997 |
The Johns Hotel is a group of historic buildings located in Isle Royale National Park in Michigan. It's found near Washington Harbor, on an island now called Barnum Island (but it used to be Johns Island!). This special place was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 because of its history.
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History of Johns Hotel
Captain John F. Johns first came to Isle Royale as a miner. He worked at the Windigo Mine and later at the Minong Mine in the early 1880s.
When the Windigo Mine closed, Captain Johns decided to become a fisherman. He made his home on some of the islands in Washington Harbor. This included Johns Island and Barnum Island, where the hotel stands today.
Opening the Hotel and Its Importance
In the late 1800s, more and more people wanted to visit the Isle Royale area for fun. This led some local people to earn extra money by becoming guides for hunting and fishing trips.
In 1892, Captain John F. Johns and his wife, Catherine, opened the Johns Hotel. This hotel was the very first summer resort on Isle Royale. It was also the first U.S. Post Office in the area. Besides the hotel, the Johns family also ran their commercial fishing business from this spot.
By 1902, there were 16 buildings at the site. These included the main hotel, a dining room, a store, and several cottages. There were also buildings for fishing, like fish houses and a warehouse, plus two docks.
George Barnum's Purchase
A businessman named George Barnum from Duluth, Minnesota, started taking vacations at the Johns Hotel in the 1890s. He loved the area so much that he bought the island from the Johns family in 1902. He then renamed it Barnum Island.
Barnum turned the island into his own private vacation spot. He invited his friends to build their own cabins there.
The Site Today
Today, only two buildings remain at the Johns Hotel site: the main hotel and one cottage. The other buildings were either taken apart or burned down over time. However, you can still find some old foundations and other signs of the past.
Description of the Buildings
The main Johns Hotel is a building with one and a half stories. It is made from round logs with cement filling between them. It was originally a single-story building, and the top part was added later.
The hotel has six rooms and a pointed roof. It has windows that slide open, with six small panes of glass in each. There is also a small addition at the back of the building.
The cottage is also a one-and-a-half-story building made of round logs. It has a pointed roof and windows with six panes of glass.
Restoration Efforts
Since 1997, work has been ongoing to restore the Johns Hotel. The National Park Service is working with the Johns Family to bring these historic buildings back to their original condition.
