Walloon Lake’s ever-enchanting history
The original Hotel Walloon was across the road from the lakeshore and was opened in the 1890s by Mrs. James Hass. In 1900, the New Walloon was built by Alfred Hass near the steamer dock. By 1905, the Walloon Lake Village had a boat livery, three stores, a post office, and two churches, making the village a hub of activity. Cottages began to pop up more readily in those days, with land being less expensive and northern retreats likened to today’s more common tropical beach vacations. Often it was seen that a mother and her children would set off for the summer at Walloon Lake, while working husbands would join their families on weekends.
In the late 1870s, as the logging era in Northern Michigan began to fade, the railroads shifted their focus to a new opportunity: tourism. Through an ambitious publicity campaign, this untouched region was reintroduced as “Vacationland.” Railroad companies developed grand resort hotels, inviting city residents from Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Grand Rapids to escape the summer heat. These destinations promised sweeping views, exceptional fishing and boating, and a vibrant social atmosphere among fellow travelers. In response, hundreds of hotels emerged across Northern Michigan, shaping the region into a seasonal retreat.
By 1891, Walloon Lake Village became accessible via a spur line from the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad, opening the area to visitors from as far as St. Louis, Chicago, and Kansas City. Drawn by its crystal clear waters and quiet beauty, guests quickly discovered that Walloon Lake offered more than a temporary escape. It became a place to establish lasting traditions. Families returned year after year, forming deep connections to the lake and its community. Over time, many who initially came for a brief stay chose to put down roots, purchasing cottages or land and creating a legacy that would be passed down for generations.
A Compilation of Legends of Walloon by Dorothy Munson Krenrich
Learn about Walloon lake history and legends by reading “Muhqua Nebis” featured in every Hotel Walloon guest room. Published by Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy.
Ernest Hemingway was just three months old when he made his first trip from his hometown of Oak Park, IL to Walloon Lake where his parents – Clarence and Grace (Hall) – had purchased property between the South and West Arm of the Lake, referred to as ‘Main Basin’ or ‘Main Lake’. He would spend time each and every summer until 1922 at the family’s beloved Windemere cottage (including his 1921 honeymoon), the cottage still owned by descendants of the Hemingway family.
In September 2021, the Village officially added a series of historical signs in the Village Green Park, which tell the story of early visitors and residents to Walloon Lake from the trains, passenger steamboats and resorts – as well as several pieces specific to Hemingway, in partnership with the Michigan Hemingway Society.
