Gun Lake
Gun Lake is located in Yankee Springs and Orangeville Township in Barry
County, and in Wayland and Martin townships in Allegan County. It is 2,680 acres
in size, covering more than four sections of area. The lake is approximately 11
miles west of Hastings, 27 miles southeast of Grand Rapids, and 32 miles
northeast of Kalamazoo.
By Courtesy of Bay Pointe Inn &
Restaurant
In the 1800s, Gun Lake was known as a fishing haven for anglers from the
Midwest. The lake and surrounding forests made the area a sportsmen's paradise
for the Ottawa, Pottawatomie and Chippewa Indians. A recognized leader of the
Ottawa Indians of Southern Michigan, was the brave and powerful Chief Noonday,
whose name remains on Gun Lake area roads and trails as a testament to his
strength and character.
In 1885, Charles & Elizabeth Morrell bought a farm on Gun Lake. The Morrell's
took in boarders and rented fishing boats. Steamboats on the lake offered
moonlight cruises, sparking many a new courtship. In 1889, the Morrell's built a
separate resort with sleeping quarters for their guests. After about 10 years of
successful resort life, they sold the property to Edmund Noble.
Read more.
Gun Lake has long been a vacation destination. Back in 1895, as many as 5,000
people would attend a 5-day farmers picnic, setting up camps
around the lake, celebrating with endless music and square dancing while
traveling back and forth by
steamboat to other Gun Lake resorts.
In 1899, Mr. Noble sold the property to Austin and Frankie Dwight. These former
Chicago residents, far too familiar with the fast pace of the windy city, longed
for serenity. When the Dwights found the peace and tranquility they were
searching for in Michigan on 350 quiet acres surrounding Gun Lake, they bought
the property. In 1902, the Dwights moved an old house across the street and
started building their summer home, which came to be known as the "Dwight
Villa."
The Dwights' summer retreat on this beautiful, wooded site was complete in 1906.
The two-and-one-half-story home, in Colonial Revival style, featured a
full-length porch and a natural exterior of both cobblestone and wood shingles,
with a massive fieldstone chimney stack. Since the couple loved to entertain,
they had the enormous living room designed to accommodate in grand style. The
Dwights threw lavish parties and dances and hosted musical performances on the
lake. Dwight Villa came to be the entertainment center of Gun Lake.
Sweeping lawns, curving driveways, hedges, walnut trees and evergreens adorned
the property, along with flowering plants en masse. Mr. Dwight's hobby was
cultivating the Dahlias which dominated the gardens; at one time it was said he
had over two hundred different varieties.
After the Dwights passing, this house once revered for its grace and charm stood
empty for a good part of 30 years. In 1978 Roy and Jackie Martin purchased the
neglected property then being run as a campground. After a complete renovation
of the landmark home the Martins opened Bay Pointe Restaurant in 1983 filled
with fine furnishings from the Dwight era. By 1984 this architectural showpiece
was admitted to both the State and Federal Register of Historic buildings for
its importance in American history and culture.
Since that time, thousands of families have enjoyed many a remarkable dinner
there, thrown hundreds of memorable weddings on the grounds and watched
breathtaking sunsets as they strolled the shores of this beautiful West Michigan
getaway.
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