History

Bay Pointe's History

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.

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 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.

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.

Today, owners Michael and Patti Powers have poured their hearts and souls into building this new resort. In keeping with the traditional coastal flavor of summer cottages along the New England coast, as well as maintaining the legacy of entertainment from its past, the Bay Pointe Inn & Restaurant welcomes guests with a warm smile and comfortable accommodations, satisfies a desire for exquisite food and offers plenty of lakeshore pleasure. With 38 guest rooms and suites, a landmark restaurant for extraordinary casual dining and a private meeting room for business seminars and groups, all situated on lovely perennial-filled grounds, Bay Pointe Inn & Restaurant is sure to become a favorite getaway.