BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC VICTORIAN HOME

FOR SALE (Sale Pending)

Soon to be B & B again with new owners.

Frankfort, Michigan's Oldest House – Circa 1860

Lou and Ed Wichert
Current Owners

428 Leelanau Avenue
P.O. Box 267
Frankfort, MI 49635

 

Shown by appointment only
E-mail: flc@coslink.net
www.FrankfortHouse.com
231-352-9267

• House and Garden Tour •

• Features of the Property •

• History of the House •

• Location •


Victorian Italianate, circa 1860

This Historic Victorian home has watched over Frankfort since the 1860's. Over time the house became worn and tired.

   Restoration started in 1993 and a rebirth took place. An architect and experienced craftsmen contributed to this project
The owners found it impossible to live in the old house during restoration, so a carriage house / garage was built on the 2nd lot. (It is now used as a rental).

The carriage house has one bedroom and bath.		  


Carriage House, 5th Street View



Carriage House

  A wood-burning fireplace and hearth highlight the living room of the carriage house.
The west end of the house is not part of the historic designation and became the 'living quarters' of the owners during the operation of the B & B.  


Garden Room




Parlor

  In the historic part of the house, the main floor features a parlor (with pocket doors).

 • The house is furnished with period antiques. •  
The sitting room has an eight window bow.  


Bow Window, Sitting Room



Dining Room

  The dining room features walnut wainscoting.
There are two bedrooms, both on the 2nd floor. A bathroom was built into the Caroline bedroom. The Elvira bathroom is across the hall and features an antique copper bathtub skirted with walnut.  


Elvira Bedroom


  A powder room was added under the stairs.
 


Landscaping and gardens create a beautiful setting for the house.

In 1996, The Frankfort Land Company opened as a Bed and Breakfast.  


"...when I pass the place,
I had to stop and lift my face..."

– Robert Frost


Frankfort Land Company House
National Register of Historic Places
1995


Features of the Property:

Location:
Five blocks from Lake Michigan beach; two blocks from Main Street and numerous quaint shops, boating / fishing harbor and generously equipped parks.

Main House:
4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, formal sitting room, parlor, dining room, modern kitchen appliances, wrap-around porches, partial basement, and much, much more. Approx. 3,500 square feet of authentic 19th century Victorian decor featuring natural woodwork, wainscoting, wallpaper, ceramic tile and beautiful hardwood floors are just a few of the elegant features.

Carriage House Apartment:
864 sq. ft. one-bedroom, full bath, built in 1989; wood-burning fireplace, deck / porch surrounds two sides; over enormous garage / storage area; always-in-demand rental.

The Yard:
Magnificent gardens, mature trees, many perennials and shrubs, all kept in beautiful condition by an underground sprinkling system. Brick patio, stone paths, trellises, black wrought iron fencing, ship ballast bricks used in the landscaping, are just a few tastefully presented appointments.

The Land:
Consists of two separate lots, each approximately 100' x 75'.

Price:
Main House $345,000
Main House and Carriage House $465,000

The History of the House and the Frankfort Land Company ... 1860's-2001

The original house was built in the early 1860's by the Frankfort Land Company as a "model" to entice the development of the area by early settlers from the East. It was built on what was then the edge of town. In the early days, Frankfort thrived on the lumbering and sawmill businesses, as well as boasting its natural harbor and many rivers and streams.

Of the families who lived in the house, the Marsh family, (Emily Burr and Hugh Marsh), were the first. Hugh, a carpenter, redesigned the stairs and added the bow window in 1872. Henry Hills and Anna Little were married in the house in 1885. They changed the kitchen into a dining room and kitchen. Henry Hills also designed the decorative trim on the porches. The Bockoven family purchased the house in 1915 as a summer house. In 1971, due to ill health, they did not return that summer. The house remained uninhabited for 15 years, suffering a sad deterioration.

In 1987, the Wicherts and friends bought the property for the many fabulous antiques it contained. Following a fantastic week-end estate sale, the Wicherts decided to take on the challenge of restoring the house. Their friends gladly accepted the buy-out offer.

In 1993, the renovations began. During the restoration, great attention was paid to detail and to maintaining the historic construction and design. Following these strict guidelines allowed the house to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. The house was opened as a Bed and Breakfast in 1996, using the name The Frankfort Land Company.


Location

The Frankfort Land Company House is located in Frankfort, Michigan at the corner of Fifth Street and Leelanau Avenue.

Please Contact Us if you have any questions.		  

Map to Frankfort


• TOP OF PAGE •

• House and Garden Tour •

• Features of the Property •

• History of the House •

• Location •

 

© Copyright 2001 ATI Consulting