This sketch of early days of BELVEDERE CLUB was written or
compiled by Mrs. Kendall Brooks
By searching the files of the Charlevoix Sentinel and
reading the meager minutes of the Secretary, a few facts relating to the early
days of the Charlevoix Summer Resort, now the Belvedere Club, have been
gathered which perhaps may be of interest.
In the late 1870s the citizens of Charlevoix, seeing that
their sister City of Petoskey had a good thing in the Methodist camp meeting,
which brought many summer visitors and much business to their city, started a
movement to obtain a subscription from the citizens and the effort resulted in
the purchase of a piece of lend for $625.00 from Mr. M. J. Stookman; and at the
Baptist Convention in October 1877, this was offered to that body for the use
of the Baptists for a summer resort, with the motion that a committee of nine
be appointed to consider this proposition and report at some future session.
The committee being prevented from visiting that fall by unfavorable weather, went the
next spring to Charlevoix, Petoskey, and Little Traverse to look at the various
pieces offered. They agreed in giving the preference to Charlevoix in every
respect but one and that was in the amount of lend offered; — “The Methodists
at Petoskey have over 200 acres, the Presbyteriens at little Traverse
have 80 acres, while we have the offer of but 25, and that
on the condition that we would agree to expend $500, a year for two years in
improvements.
After consultation it was thought best to accept the offer
and the men from Kalamazoo were requested to arrange for the formation of an
association, which they subsequently did.
A constitution was adopted and the following officers were
elected; President, H. W. Page, Secretary, Dr. Samuel Brooks, Treasurer, Dr.
Kendall Brooks.
It was to be known as the Charlevoix Summer Resort
Association. "Any person not objectionable may become a member by vote of
the Association, signing the constitution and paying $10, when he has the
privilege of selecting any lot not already chosen.“
While the offer of the land was to the Baptists for a summer
resort, it is not the intention of the constituent members of the Association
to restrict the use of the land to Baptists, so the word Baptist does not form
a part of the corporate name. We do not wish to exclude good people of other
denominations. The superior attractions of Charlevoix have already drawn some
whose religious convictions would naturally lead them to other places.
There are several ways of reaching Charlevoix. A stage from
Petoskey leaves every morning at 7 o'clock, the road is good; the fare
$1.00. A stage, a good Democrat, leaves
Boyne Falls, 15 miles
south of Petoskey on the G. R. and I., Tuesday, Thursdays,
and Saturdays at 9 A. M. connecting at the head of Pine Lake with the Gazelle,
a fine little steamboat, for Charlevoix. The ride through the woods
is pleasant though the road is rough. Stage and boat fare,
$1.50
In two months after the proposition was accepted, over
$1,600 had been expended in improvements. It is expected that a good boarding
house and many cottages will be built early next summer.
May 1878.
The committee of Michigan and Indiana gentlemen recently
appointed to determine the affairs of the resort consisted of H. W. Page and
B.F. Lyon of Kalamazoo, and Messrs. Carter and Gordan of Fort Wayne. They made
a thorough examination and survey of the property and reported that they were
well pleased. They said improvements would be commenced on the grounds in one
month and several cottages erected.
June ll, 1878.
On Tuesday the following gentlemen connected with the
Charlevoix summer Resort Association arrived in town; H. W. Page, J. L.
Sebring, T. S. Cobb, and Judge Wells of Kalamazoo, John G. Calkins and N. W. W.
Smith of Grand Rapids, L. H. Andrews and Wm. Carter of Fort Wayne.
The purpose of this visit was to close the negotiations
between the Association and the people of Charlevoix for the location of the
association in the township. The proposed 25 acres lying at the foot
of Pine Lake and connecting with the Bayou were surveyed and
the bond made out and placed in the hand of the Committee. Contract was made
with M. J. Stockman for the 25 acres of land for the sum of $625. A deed is to
be executed to convey said land to the Association on condition that an
expenditure of $1,000 in improvements be made within two years. The land was at
once taken possession of and improvements to the sum of $1,600 were made before
October, 1878
July 2, 1878.
On Wednesday H. E. Page, F. W. Wilcox and Prof. Samuel
Brooks arrived and caused the first blow to be struck on the grounds of the
Charlevoix Summer Resort Association. It is the purpose of the Association to
fence and improve the grounds. Five cottages have been commenced and all our
builders not otherwise engaged are busy with the construction. They have a new
well in successful operation. The land is divided into lots 50 by 100 feet to
be leased, not sold. Any person not objectionable may become a member by the
payment of $10. There may be a small annual assessment not to exceed $2.00,
unless authorized by two thirds of the members present at a meeting called for
that purpose. Persons holding lots are entitled to half fare on the railroad
for themselves and members of their families. Good board at from five to seven
dollars, according to the room.
Notes from the secretary's book; The first regular meeting
of the Association was held June 21, 1878, at Kalamazoo; when the first
officers, mentioned above, were elected.
December 15, 1879.
At this meeting a committee Was appointed, consisting of the
President, J. L.Sebring and S. A. Gibson to secure subscriptions to stock and
was impowered to purchase the two pieces of land lying north of the grounds and
between them and Round Lake.
November 28, 1879.
At a special meeting, among other things the enlargement of
the hotel was considered and the beautifying of the grounds
April, 1885.
Voted to build to board walks, one from rear Mrs. Gulley's
cottage to the foot of Ranney's stairway, the other from Henry Bishop's cottage
to the well.
July, 1885.
Voted to assess each lot $5.00 for the coming year. Voted to
approve the highway tax of $60.
August, 1883.
Voted to authorize D. B. Merrill to put a wire fence on the,
east side of Tennyson St. from the gate to the terrace.
April, 1884.
Talk of a new dining hall. Negotiations made for a windmill
in the park to supply the hotel with water.
July 10, 1884.
Voted to appropriate not more than $10 for telephone in
hotel. Lot assessment $8.00.
August 1884.
A committee was appointed to engage a caretaker for the
coming season. The job of clearing the land from the upper terrace to Pine
Lake, Burning the logs, cutting all trees not marked to save, and sowing to
wheat, was let to D. J. Bigelow for $48 for the whole job.
July, 1885.
Annual Meeting. The treasurer reported receipts for the year
$2,945.59 Expenses $2,945.59
1886.
Voted that a Club House with hotel accommodations be built
on or near the site of the old Belvedere at a cost of not to exceed $6,000;
provided the money can be raised by the issue of bonds or any other
satisfactory method.
Deeds. Morris J. Stookman and wife to the Charlevoix Summer
Resort Association, August 14, 1878. as Acres.
John S. Dixon and wife Phoebe S. to the B. S. R. A. July 15,
1880. Morris J. Stockman and wife Lottie A. to the C.S.R.A 25 acres July 24, 1880.
There were no fences at first and the small boys were often
encouraged to drive the cows from around the cottages. Once, when some
vegetables had been left on Mrs. Gibson's porch, a cow came along, ate them all
and quenched her thirst at the convenient tub of water; the latter the greater
loss, for all water was brought in barrels on a dray from the Lake and until
the men learned to put a cover over the barrels, most of it was lost on the way
up the hill. Before cisterns were built, many cottagers obtained old oil
barrels burned them out and caught water from the roofs.
One of the characters of those times was Mrs. Vosburg, who
drove an old horse and dilapidated wagon, selling a few vegetables which were
very welcome, as there was little or nothing of the kind to be had at the
stores in town. She made more money telling fortunes and charming away warts
from the hands of children. During the summer of 1878 there was no molasses in town
as the order had been forgotten until it was such warm weather that they feared
the barrel would burst if it came by boat from Milwaukee.
One of the avocations was the burning of the pine stumps, of
which every lot had several.
The first six cottages were built by F. W. Wilcox, J. L.
Sebring, H. W. Page, S. A. Gibson, Dr. Samuel Brooks and Dr. Fisk, all on the
upper terrace.
Mrs. Henry Severance and Prof. Lewis Stuart were appointed
as an informal committee to choose a name for the hotel. After watching the
shadows and reflections on Pine Lake, they reported "Belvedere" as
their choice.
The local 4th of July celebrations were always enjoyed by
the resorters and some can still remember seeing Ross Mahon walking the greased
pole, over the river at the foot of Bridge Street, to get the silver dollar at
the other end.
The names of some of the steamboats and tugs will bring to
many memories, both pleasant and otherwise. Thedazelle, Clara Belle, Minnie
Warren, T. S. Paxton, City of Grand Rapids, Thomas Friant.
The calling card in those days was a leaf with the name
written on it with the head of a pin, which fastened it to the door. There was
no ice in those days, and the crock of butter was kept in the well at the foot
of the stairs. The letting of it down and pulling it up by a long rope was a
delight to the small
boys.
The passing of the Song Service at the Belvedere Club, which
for so long was a feature of Sunday on the grounds, is a commentary on the
changed ideals and customs of the day. The service began very simply the first
year of the Clubs life, in fact before it had a name, when a few beatuy loving
and rever-
ential souls, sat under the trees on the upper terrace, and sang hymns to the praise
of God, and watched the sunset glory reflected on hills and lakes spread out
before them.
As Club members increased, old music hall was build as a
social gathering place, a piano and song books were purchased, and the Song
Service became a regular feature of Sunday on the grounds, and certainly
created an atmosphere which had its share shaping the character of the Club. In
order that hotel guests might participate it was moved to the Belvedere parlor
until it outgrew the space, and was then transferred to the Casino where for
many years it was held every Sunday night during July and August.
Charlevoix has been fortunate in having many musical
visitors who have added greatly to the pleasure of the services by contributing
their talents, and many ministers have favored us with inspiring talks.
Who will ever forget the charming voices of Mrs. W. H,
Aldrich, Mrs. Wall, Mrs. Lawson, Dr. Wright, Rockwell Brank and others, while
the name of Windsor Aldrich, will always recall his fine baritone and the
splendid leadership which he gave so wil1ingly. With his passing the Song
Service declined and rather than see a fine thing degenerate into a perfunctory
task, it has seemed best to let it become a delightful memory. Belvedere Club
has been a success from many standpoints, and the Song Service has had its part
in the making of it.