Lumber in the Thumb

It's hard to imagine the state of Michigan as it was in the mid-1800s. Back then the state was mostly filled with massive trees. These forests were so dense that the waterways were the preferred way to move around the region.




Now, most of those trees are gone, either logged off or destroyed (in the thumb of Michigan) in two massive fires in the late 1800s.





One of the B&Bs that I stayed at (Stafford House) was built by W.R. Stafford in 1886. Stafford founded the town of Port Hope and made his fortune as a lumber baron.








The house has been lovingly maintained by Greg &Kathy Gephart (in last photo). They are looking to retire soon, so the inn is currently on the market.

Location:Port Hope, MI