Watervale, Michigan facts for kids
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Watervale Historic District
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Watervale historic Casino and Post Office, 2018
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 975-1422 Watervale Rd., Blaine Township, Michigan |
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| Area | 25.5 acres (10.3 ha) |
| Built | 1892 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian, Bungalow/craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000624 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 10, 2003 |
The Watervale Historic District is a special place in Blaine Township, Michigan. It's a resort that started as a place for logging workers. It sits right by Lower Herring Lake.
This historic area was recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site in 1991. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
Contents
The Story of Watervale
From Logging Camp to Resort
In the early 1890s, a man named Leo F. Hale started a logging business here. He cut down trees and shipped them out. In 1893, Hale, along with William and Mary Vincent, planned out the village of Watervale. It was built on the south shore of Lower Herring Lake.
They built about 20 houses, some of which were simple shacks. But there were also at least eight painted houses. The village had a meat market, a general store, and a post office too.
A New Beginning for Watervale
As the logging business slowed down, Hale faced financial trouble. By 1900, he had lost most of Watervale. The village was almost empty.
Then, in 1917, Dr. Oscar H. Kraft from Chicago bought the town. He wanted to use it as a resort for his family. Dr. Kraft fixed up several buildings. That summer, he opened Watervale as a public resort for everyone to enjoy.
Dr. Kraft's niece, Vera Noble, and her husband Vernon bought the resort in 1960. Vera continued to run Watervale until she passed away in 2005. Her children then took over the resort.
What You Can See at Watervale
The Watervale Historic District has 16 buildings. These buildings were built between 1892 and 1927. They are all located along Watervale Road.
The buildings include the old general store. There's also a former boarding house that is now an inn. You can see many one- and two-story houses. These houses are covered in clapboard siding. There are also several cottages from the early 1900s.
