We are trying to gather information on the history of Michago. Let us know if you have any historical details that you're willing to share with the community. Here's what we know:
Michago Beach Estates, Inc. is a private community which was founded on July 25, 1975 at the first shareholders meeting of Michago Beach Estates Association. Located on the bluffs of Lake Michigan, the community lies between White Lake and Stony Lake, MI, where Webster Road turns north and becomes Scenic Drive. Michago is divided into 65 lots with vacation cottages, all-season houses, and undeveloped lots.
Michago History
· 1929: Father Furman purchased the 80 acre parcel including the farmhouse and barn
· 1930: Father Furman dies and leaves the property to his nephews.
· 1930's: Albert Furman acquires the property from his brothers and cousins
· 1930's and 40's: Visiting frequently with his wife Elizabeth, son Albert (Bud), and daughter Patricia, Albert installs a bathroom and electricity in the farm house.
· 1940s: Albert modernizes the farm house and builds the big house on the foundation of the old barn.
· 1961: Albert Furman dies and Elizabeth Furman puts the property up for sale.
· 1963: Joe C, Tom D., and Bill N. form a partnership to purchase the property and plan to subdivide it and sell lots. The families share the existing houses with plans to build their own homes in the future.
· c. 1965-66: Bill N. buys the big house.
· c. 1966: Tom D. builds a house on the beach.
· 1967: Joe C. builds his cottage on the bluff overlooking Toboggan and Surfside drives.
· 1970-71: After renting cottages for a couple years, Dwyers buy a lot and build their cottage next to the ball field.
Do you have any more details? When did you buy or build your house? Any fond memories or milestones that you would like to share?
Please add your details/comments here or email them to michagobeach@gmail.com. Continue to check the website, Michago.blogspot.com, for updates. ...Dave D.
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THE BIG THREE (TOM, BILL, &JOE) REALLY BOUGHT THE PROPERTY EARLY 1960. THEY INVITED JOHN A. AND CELINE MERGENS UP TO THE PROPERTY PALM SUNDAY OF 1960 TO CHECK IT OUT, BEACUSE AL WAS STATIONED IN THE AREA WHILE IN THE COAST GUARD,AND THAT AREA WAS PART OF HIS PATROL RESPONSIBILITY.SONS, LITTLE AL, AND JIM WERE 2 AND 1 YEARS OLD AT THAT TIME. THE MERGENS FAMILY LIKED WHAT THEY SAW IN THE POTENTIAL OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND ACTUALY BOUGHT THE FIRST LOT THAT WEEK END,EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT YET SUB-DIVIDED.AL HELPED THE BIG THREE BUILD THE FIRST HOUSE, THE JUNEAU IN SUMMER OF 1961 THE OSLO,NEXT DOOR TO THE JUNEAU WAS STARTED IN THE LATE SUMMER OF 1961. BOTH WERE RENTAL UNITS.
ReplyDeleteMR. AND MRS THIEL CELINES MOTHER AND FATHER BOUGHT A LOT SHORTLY AFTER THE THE OSLO WAS BUILT. AFTER THE SUB-DIVIDING WAS COMPLETED AL CHOSE HIS LOT WHICH WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE BIG HOUSE, AND BILL THOUGHT A HOUSE THERE WOULD BLOCK HIS VIEW OF THE LAKE, SO A TRADE OF LOTS WAS TO TAKE PLACE. THE BEACH LOTS WERE NOW SUB-DIVIDED SO AL TOOK ONE OF THE LOWER LOTS. WHEN THE SOUTH ACREAGE WAS DIVIDED AL TOOK THE LOT WHERE THEIR HOUSE IS NOW. CELINES MOM AND DAD TOOK THE END TWO LOTS AT SOUTH END OF MICHAGO DR. THE THIEL HOUSE WAS THE SECOND HOUSE BUILT ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOBOGGAN DR. JOE CHAPUTS HOUSE WAS THE FIRST THE THIEL HOUSE WAS BUILT IN 1967 BY AL MERGENS AND A HELPER IN 7 DAYS.
I wonder if there is any direct descendants of the "Founding Fathers". And an idea to add to the site: A News Chatbox. Anybody can type recent news that they have heard thru the grapevine.
ReplyDeleteI cannot get my name to work, so I will just mention I am Nick Dwyer, And my Dad is Michael. If you do not recognize him, his Dad is John, as mentioned in the history.
The furman family still visit every couple of years.
ReplyDeleteYup, we do! And in fact, we still own several of the houses in Michago!
ReplyDelete