5 Things to Know about Michigan's Hexagon House
The Hexagon House Bed and Breakfast, named after its unique architectural design, is a “turn of the century” Victorian home in beautiful Pentwater, Michigan. Chris Adema of LovePentwater.com gives us a look back at the history behind this charming bed and breakfast.
Check out some facts about the Hexagon House's history below and learn more about other unique Michigan bed and breakfasts.
1. Lesser visited but worth the trip
Perched along the sandy shores of Michigan’s western coast are numerous summer beach towns - not least among them is the quaint harbor village of Pentwater. Located just south of Ludington, Pentwater is a somewhat lesser known vacation destination, serving as the home of a beachside state park, multiple marinas, boutique clothing stores, art galleries, and a truly beautiful bed and breakfast with a long history: The Hexagon House.
2. One of the first boarding houses in Michigan
Pentwater was initially established in 1853, finding its beginning as a shipping port, mill, and center for the then booming lumber industry that was busily expanding across Michigan. The Hexagon House was, in turn, constructed circa 1870 as one of the first boarding houses for the many lumbermen visiting the area from Chicago and from around the Great Lakes, making the home nearly as old as the town itself. In fact, the builder and first owner was named S.E. Russell, and was an agent of Charles Mears – the Western Michigan lumber baron of that time, and the same man responsible for digging the channel and turning Pentwater into a harbor town. The Hexagon House has truly been a staple in this waterfront community since the very beginning, and played an important role in the bygone era that gave birth to the village.
3. Evolution of the House
The next major evolution of the Inn came about in the 1920s and 30s when the two daughters of S.E. Russell inherited the property and turned it into a summer tourist camp, and the home base from which they ran a homemade pie business and a boat rental business.
4. Trading Hands
The surviving Russell sister sold the home in the 1950s. Since that time The Hexagon House has changed owners on five more occasions, being enjoyed by the families of a distinguished dentist from Chicago, a professor from Nova Scotia, the Warners, who are responsible for completely renovating the home in 1994, restoring it to a masterpiece of Victorian elegance and two individuals from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Finally, in 2011, Matt and Sandy Werner purchased the property, embarking on second careers as innkeepers.
5. Current Day
Today, this Victorian bed and breakfast inn boasts five exquisite guest rooms, including a suite, with wrap around porches, a sprawling lawn, and the convenience of being only a short walk or bike ride to the village of Pentwater. It stands ready to welcome guests for the 2013 season and beyond.
Have you or do you plan to visit the Hexagon House Bed and Breakfast? Share with us below.
About the Author: Chris Adema is a Michigan native, the owner of LovePentwater.com, and an internet marketing professional servicing Hexagon House Bed and Breakfast with website management and online promotion.