A Romantic Harbor view

Michigan Bed and Breakfast Inn

 Saugatuck, Michigan 800.231.2185

 An Inn for all Seasons, open year 'round.

                                (more info: click on the pictures)

History of Twin Gables Inn

Bed and Breakfast

Built in 1865, the State Historic Twin Gables Inn is the only original mill in the area still standing from Saugatuck’s busy lumbering era. It is rich in history having undergone several changes and functions, always being an integral part of the evolvement of the Saugatuck community.

Samuel Clipson and his wife, Susan, came to Saugatuck around 1862 and opened the village’s first brewery. Documents dating back to 1865 confirm that the building began as an Ice House for the Clipson Brewery. The brewery was situated in the back of the property and at the bottom of the hill. Clipson originally constructed the building in 1865 as an ice house in which to store his finished beer. It experienced a lot of rapid turnovers. Between 1869 and 1922 it became a Tannery, a Door & Sash Company, a Shingle Manufacturing plant and a Barrel Stave Mill owned by Francis B. Stockbridge and O.R. Johnson (Francis D. Stockbridge, an affluent businessman from the East Coast, had moved to Kalamazoo after he dissolved his partnership with O.R. Johnson. He entered politics and became State Senator; he was also one of the builders of the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island. O.R. Johnson moved to Racine, Wisconsin and founded a company that exists to this day – the Johnson Wax Company.). It also was a boat building factory owned by the Charles & Henry Bird Family. At the turn-of-the-20^th-century, it became a boarding house owned by Jacoba Cappon, 2^nd wife (a widow) of the first Mayor of Holland, Isaac Cappon.

In 1922, it opened as The Twin Gables Hotel & Restaurant and was owned by Tom Carey, a vaudeville banjo player. Tom would invite his musician friends from Chicago and they set up an orchestra for dancing at the Twin Gables. During Prohibition of the 1920’s some gangsters from Al Capone’s gang would frequent the Twin Gables. Local legend is that there is a bullet hole in the wall of the Merlot Room (formerly the bar), which was made by one of Al Capone’s men. He (one of Al’s men) had a sweetheart who worked here in the kitchen. The speculation is that someone made a pass at the sweetheart while Al’s gang was here and he didn’t like gesture. The story ends with shots being fired, and of course, this is what legends are made of. 

The original site of Twin Gables Inn was halfway on the street and halfway on the front lawn and driveway. In 1936, the State built Blue Star highway and extended Lake Street to meet the new highway; since the building was in the way, the State moved it to its present location.

The building functioned as a successful Hotel & Restaurant for several years under different owners, the longest being Jack Janush who owned it for almost 40 years, when the Simick’s bought it from his estate. In 1982, when the Simick’s bought Twin Gables Inn, the Hotel & Restaurant had been closed for over 15 years and was in a sad state of disrepair. However, they restored it returning its dignity. It was entered into the Michigan State Historic Register and started a new life as a Bed & Breakfast. The hotel had 16 rooms with 2 bathrooms, all along the main front corridor upstairs. The Simick’s remodeled – turning the 16 rooms into 8, all with private baths. Additionally they added on the 3 guest rooms in the back upstairs wing, 3 guest rooms downstairs, and the Innkeeper’s private living areas. The Simick’s owned Twin Gables Inn for almost 17 years.

In 1999, Bob Lawrence and Sue Schwaderer purchased the Inn, and made several major improvements to the building and grounds. Highlighted changes were paving the parking lot, enclosing the porch for year ‘round use, new pool deck, and to preserve the view, they purchased the vacant waterfront lot directly across the street.

The Inn again changed owners in January 2004, when Margaret and Michael Hull purchased it. Our Inn is once again family owned and operated. Danielle, daughter #1, rules the back office operation, web design and maintenance and is the head “bean counter”. Nicole, daughter #2, orchestrates all large events and weddings. She also trains and manages the kitchen staff, and is the main source for all new decorating ideas. Nathaniel, our first grandson, has taken up the position of “greeter”. He is happy to hear the doorbell ring and runs to the front to say “Hi” to everyone. You may also see Emma, our granddaughter, being carried around during breakfast or while you are being checked in. Margaret and Michael provide the marketing, money and motivation to sustain this wonderful Inn.  

The total transformation of the first floor includes the addition of a baby grand player piano to the Common Room. Furnishings, drapery, and every little detail of this space is new and unique since ownership. The biggest addition to the Inn has been the Vintner’s Loft, which is a private whirlpool suite located above the Carriage House at the rear of the building. This brand new construction premiered in May 2005. The large pond and waterfall on the side yard have also been added. Each room is scheduled for renovation and each project brings us closer to our vision. Stay tuned for lots more to come. Twin Gables Inn is our labor of love and we hope that you enjoy it as much as we enjoy you having you here.

You are visitor number: since Jan. 1999!

Twin Gables Inn

900 Lake Street

Saugatuck, MI 49453
800.231.2185
269.857.4346
e-mail:  relaxing@twingablesinn.com

Information on this Web site, including but not limited to rates, is subject to change without notice.