Nestled on the coast of beautiful Grand Lake halfway between Alpena and Rogers City, Presque Isle Lodge provides a peaceful escape from the stressors and hustle of big city living.
The History…
The Lodge was built in 1920 by Newell A. Eddy Jr., when the construction of what would become US-23 opened the area around Grand Lake to tourism and recreation. Newell’s knack for design and pioneer-style architecture ran in his blood, dating back to his furniture-making ancestor Colonel Jonathon Eddy (circa the French/Indian War).
Lodge Brochure, courtesy of Presque Isle Lodge FB
The Lodge, placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, is an example of rustic architecture popular in Michigan in the first half of the twentieth century. During this time, Michigan’s lumber industry became a leading manufacturer of rustic styled board-and-batten siding and rough-hewn logs. The Presque Isle Lodge is a particularly intact example of the rustic resort properties constructed during the “golden age” of rustic architecture of the 1920s to 1940s in Michigan.
The Furniture…
The historic furniture inside of the Lodge is known as “Prairie School”, an Arts & Crafts style discipline. The Eddy’s, being from Bay City with a manufacturing business, had the facilities to produce this style furniture which is known as “habitant log furniture”. The first pieces of furniture by Habitant Shops, Inc. were made right at the Presque Isle Lodge!
“A tour of furniture supply sources throughout the East and Midwest convinced me that there was no such type of furniture available to conform to the rigid standards that I had set for Presque Isle Lodge. Therefore I decided to build my own.
With several of the same patient, expert craftsmen who had helped me build the Lodge, I began the construction of early American furniture. We kept reference books constantly before us in our workshop to insure close adherence to authentic styles. We worked hard and we worked long. We built tables, chairs, dressers, beds, settees- we even built mirrors, lamps, bookshelves and numerous other accessory pieces to complete the entire Lodge furnishings.” N. A Eddy Jr.
High demand for habitant log furniture outpaced the ability to hand-make the pieces as they were at the Lodge, thus machines became incorporated in later years. Presque Isle Lodge is home to the largest known remaining collection of habitant log furniture.
In 1986 the Spencer family purchased the Presque Isle Lodge. The Spencer’s continue to own and operate the Lodge to this day.
The Lodge Amenities…
The large stone fireplace adorns a spacious living area inside the Lodge.
At the Presque Isle Lodge, guests can enjoy a BYOB policy as well as the option to rent out the entire lodge. Great for large groups, anniversary parties, birthdays, wedding parties, or reunions. The kitchen is fully equipped with a large cold station refrigerator, 10-burner stovetop, 2 ovens, as well as a microwave and a large event grill.
The main level of the Lodge offers a spacious living area with a large stone fireplace where guests can watch movies, read, play games, or simply hang out. A wrap-around porch where guests can play ping-pong or swing on a hammock in front of the lakeshore makes for a perfect tranquil escape! Along the lakeshore, you will find a raft, picnic table, seating, dock, and a canoe and kayak to welcome respite on a hot summer day.
Outdoor movie theater
An outdoor theater on site also adds a fun element to any birthday, wedding, or anniversary event. Bring your pillows, blankets & guests and join under the stars for an outdoor movie party or photo slideshow.
Nine rooms are available for rent at the Lodge: Click links for full room descriptions
Grand Lake from the Lodge.
The Presque Isle Lodge is a beautiful space to create Northern Michigan memories to last a lifetime! For rental inquiries call 989-595-6970 in the summer, or 231-9929-4684 in the winter. You may also email innkeeper@presqueislelodge.com.
Follow Presque Isle Lodge – Bed and Breakfast on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest information and learn fun, historical facts about the Lodge and the Presque Isle/Alpena area.
Photo courtesy of Presque Isle Lodge FB.
The Presque Isle Lodge is a Marketing Co-op Program participant with the Alpena Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. If you are a local northeast Michigan tourism-benefited business and would like to learn more about the Alpena Area CVBs Marketing Co-op Program, please email Nicole@visitalpena.com
420 N. 2nd Ave. Alpena, MI 49707
989-340-2288 