Five White Lake homes take top honors for historic preservation

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

The owners of five White Lake-area historic homes were the recipients of the 4th Annual Preservation Awards sponsored by the White Lake Area Historical Society. The awards recognize the homeowners' efforts to preserve the architectural integrity and character of their historic homes.

"We have some Frank Lloyd Wright-designed cottages up here," says Ted Sirotko, society president. "Some are just wonderful pieces of architecture, and some were owned by people who were prominent in the area, founders of the communities, business leaders."

One notable structure is Bill and Jeannie Reeves' two-story boathouse at 5568 South Shore Drive. Former residents Ralph and Julia Branch built the boathouse in the '20s, with boat storage on the lower level and living space on the second floor. A screened balcony overlooks White Lake.

"Ralph Branch didn't like his mother-in-law, and when she'd come to visit he'd retreat to the boathouse," Sirotko says with a laugh.

Eric and Karen Smith received one of the awards for their 1890s Victorian at 8712 Grant Street, Montague, once owned by Nellie B. Chisholm, the first woman commissioner for Muskegon County Schools.

In 1908, US Congressmen Joseph W. Fordney built the Prairie Style winner at 6674 Lakefront Drive, now owned by Bruce and Debbie Graumlich.

The other two awards went to Henry, Jim, and Teri Staples for their home at 222 South Mears Avenue, Whitehall, and to Don and Cheryl Butler for their 324 Mill Pond Road home in Whitehall.

Each honoree received a die cast commemorative plaque that designates their structure as a historic preservation winner.

Source: Ted Sirotko, White Lake Area Historical Society

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].

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