Lakeside Inn (Lakeside, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lakeside Inn
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 15251 Lakeshore Rd., Lakeside, Michigan |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 09000521 |
| Added to NRHP | July 16, 2009 |
The Lakeside Inn is a historic hotel located in Lakeside, Michigan. It sits on Lakeshore Road, right by the water. This special building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
Contents
History of the Lakeside Inn
Early Days and Settlement
The story of this area began in 1844. That's when Alfred and Mary Ames, who came from Vermont, bought land here. Their property included the spot where the Lakeside Inn stands today.
A small community started nearby in 1846. Later, in the late 1870s, a railroad called the Chicago and Michigan Lake Shore Railroad was built. A train station was put in this area, which was then named Lakeside.
By the end of the 1800s, the area around the inn was a popular place for fun and relaxation. The land across the road, called Ames Grove, belonged to Fisher Ames, Alfred and Mary's son. People used it for picnics and other local get-togethers. At the same time, more and more summer visitors started coming. Local families began offering rooms to guests and building small resorts.
The Aylsworth Family and Changes
In 1901, John J. and Nancy E. Aylsworth bought several pieces of land in Lakeside. This included the property where the inn is now. The exact year the inn was built isn't known, but it was probably in the early 1910s for the Aylsworths. Along with the inn, they also built several small cottages.
John Aylsworth passed away in December 1917. Two years later, Nancy Aylsworth gave the inn to their son, Arthur, and his wife, Grace. Around that time, a big addition was built onto the inn.
In 1922, the inn was given to the Lakeside Property Owners Trust. This was a local group that wanted to help the area grow in a good way. They also aimed to control who could stay at the inn, possibly excluding certain groups of people. Arthur Aylsworth continued to manage the inn.
In 1930, new facilities were added, like golf, tennis, and swimming areas. The inn was renamed the Lakeside Park Country Club. To visit, you had to be a member. This membership requirement meant that not everyone could stay there, and it might have been used to keep certain groups of people from visiting the inn.
New Owners and Modern Times
Arthur and Grace Aylsworth divorced in 1930. Arthur then bought the inn back from the trust. He continued to run it with his second wife, Virginia, until she passed away in 1953. Arthur himself died in 1955.
The inn became less popular over the next ten years. Then, in 1968, John and Kay Wilson bought it. Mr. Wilson turned the inn into the "Lakeside Center for the Arts." He ran his printing business there and welcomed artists from all over the country.
In 1994, Devereux Bowly bought the inn. He completely fixed it up and reopened it as a hotel in 1995. As of 2017, the inn is still open and owned by Mr. Bowly. It continues to welcome guests.
What the Lakeside Inn Looks Like
The Lakeside Inn is a large, two-and-a-half-story building. It is made of wood and has a wide front. The roof slopes down on the sides. It sits on a small hill, looking out over Lake Michigan. The building is covered with horizontal wooden boards called clapboard.
Two parts of the roof stick out towards the lake. There's also an open porch, called a veranda, that runs across the entire front of the building. Small windows that stick out from the roof, called dormers, are also visible. The outside of the inn has a simple, artistic style known as Arts-and-Crafts. You can even see the ends of the roof beams, which is a common feature of this style.
Inside, on the first floor, you'll find a main lobby area. It has a large fireplace made of cobblestones. Off the lobby, there's a dining room that can also be used as a ballroom. There's also a lounge and a bar area. Two guest rooms are on the first floor, with many more rooms located on the second and third floors for visitors to stay in.
