Take a Rare Look Inside Mackinac Island’s Historic Cottages

“Timeless” by Moira Croghan is a spectacular collection of stories and photos of Mackinac Island’s cottages—a special peek inside these well-preserved homes built more than a century ago. Moira spent her childhood summers on Mackinac; her great-grandparents Delos and Daisy Blodgett were among the first West Bluff cottagers and lived in Casa Verano (see below). Photographer Mark Bearss also has a Mackinac connection—he worked as a dock porter for several years in college during summer breaks. Now a retired lawyer, he’s often seen capturing landscape and architecture images on the island. Here, we share their work and go behind the scenes of four of the 33 incredible cottages featured in “Timeless.”

Casa Verano on Mackinac Island

Owned by Bruce Goodwin & Lydia Pennock | Built in 1892 for Delos & Daisy Blodgett

When Casa Verano was finished in 1892, it was built upon a small structure that was started in 1888. The original simple retreat built for Frank and May Clark was rebuilt and expanded for Delos and Daisy Blodgett by architect Ashbury W. Buckley of Chicago who also de-signed several cottages and the Little Stone Church on Mackinac. The owners are direct descendants of the Blodgett family who are the longest-term continuous residents on the island, having occupied four West Bluff houses over six generations, beginning in 1889. The cottage’s former structure remains intact and now houses the pantries, kitchen and laundry room. To accommodate uneven floor heights, the original structure connects to the new section through a bathroom built between two levels of the house.

The house is noted for its open design and view of the lake from every ground-level room. The rooms are ornamented with intricate spandrel fretwork. Built for one of Michigan’s lumber barons, Delos Blodgett, it makes sense to showcase the beauty of Michigan’s natural resources in Casa Verano. The spandrels were presumably crafted in Grand Rapids, where the Blodgetts lived in the winter.

In addition to the incredible display of spandrel fretwork, the living and dining rooms also feature stained glass windows and a panel of intricate metalwork that expands lake views from the dining room. Each level of the house has a porch where guests can watch a thunderstorm roll across the Straits before reaching Mackinac.

The current co-owner, Bruce Goodwin, enjoys learning about his family’s rich past and reminiscing about the childhood adventures he and his sister shared with their cousins, who also lived on the Bluff each summer. Goodwin says they spent many days building trails through the forest, jumping logs on horseback and going on carriage rides. As a child, his family made annual expeditions back and forth to the Washington D.C. area with a trailer full of horses. The horses were hunters used during the winter months at the Potomac Hunt in Maryland. Goodwin also has fond memories of his sister, Lydia Pennock’s, wedding reception at the cottage where guests spread across the front lawn and enjoyed views of Lake Huron. “My wife, Joan, and I return each season to experience joyful times with our family and friends,” says Goodwin. “A love for horses and the expansive network of trails on Mackinac also lures us back.”

Mackinac Island’s Day Cottage

Owned by Jayne & Bill Emory | Built in 1883

Built in 1883, day cottage is one of the first summer cottages constructed in Mackinac’s planned community, Hubbard’s Annex, just beyond the West Bluff. Owners Jayne and Bill Emory recently renamed their home the Day Cottage in honor of its former owner, U.S. Supreme Court Justice William R. Day. The name is also fitting because Day is the maiden name of Jayne’s grandmother and the middle name of her son. They acquired the home from Bill’s aunt, Audrey Gallery, who had replaced its foundation and made updates to the home while maintaining its simplistic beauty. They recently converted the stable into a guest house and planted gardens accenting their lake views. The walls are adorned with artistic pieces they acquired while living in Europe. The cottage’s cross-gable, Carpenter Gothic style is typical of structures designed by Charles Caskey, who also built the Grand Hotel. Caskey is known for translating features commonly found on Gothic stone cathedrals into decorative features on wooden Mackinac cottages.

Sunrise Cottage on Mackinac Island

Owned by Betty & Bill Murcko | Built in 1892 for Ida & John Batten

On a wooded hill at the far end of the East Bluff lies Sunrise Cottage, a warm yellow homestead surrounded by green cedars. Not far from Arch Rock along Manitou Trail, the house hugs the cliff with an abundance of windows, sheltered by leafy trees where birds sing loudly. The cottage’s name reflects its view of the sun emerging right out front on the horizon each day.

A mossy drive from the main road leads to Sunrise Cottage. The home exudes hallmarks of Stick style with decorative brackets and exposed joists, many painted an immaculate white. The layout of outbuildings on the property creates a private domain. Owners Bill and Betty Murcko repurposed the smaller structures to meet contemporary needs, including an art studio and extra sleeping quarters for guests, an old-fashioned, western bunkhouse for visiting grandchildren.

Mackinac Island’s Brigadoon

Owned by Janet & Jay Stingel | Built in 1899 for Susan & George T. Arnold

EDITOR’S NOTE: On May 30, 2021, a fire caused severe damage to Brigadoon’s third floor and roof. No one was injured, and the Mackinac Island Fire Department, with help from the Mackinaw City and St. Ignace departments, stopped it from spreading to adjoining structures. Our thoughts are with the Stingel family.