The Lakeside Inn - Lakeside, MI, on National Register of Historic Places- Part I of the story

I was on the way to Chicago this past month and decided to check out and visit the Lakeside Inn in Lakeside, Michigan.  The place has a long and varied history, the land was originally purchased back in 1844 by 58 year old Alfred Ames, who came from Vermont.  The area was known as the Clay Banks because sailors used the high clay bluffs as landmarks as they sailed along the lake shore.  Ames' wife, Mary, remained in Illinois for the first year while Alfred built a long cabin on the property.  This was actually the first home built on the lake proper in the area.  The first school in the township was at the Ames' house with Mrs. Ames acting as the teacher of the nine children in attendance.

To be continued........

Here's the front entrance of the Lakeside Inn:

 Some pictures inside the Inn:

The back entrance:

In the courtyard:

The Inn's veranda:

The long steps down from the Inn to Lake Michigan:

 

Back on the veranda, looking out toward a bird hotel: