1852 - 1949 - Island House Hotel

Photo of Mackinac Island and the Island House Hotel (38K)

1852 - 1949
Originally constructed for Charles O'Malley in 1852 as a beachfront resort, the Island House was one of the first summer hotels on Mackinac Island. In 1865 Captain Henry Van Allen, a Great Lakes skipper, purchased the resort, thus beginning a family tradition that would last nearly 75 years. During this time he moved the hotel about 300 feet off the shore to its present location to allow for future expansion. Under Captain Van Allen's direction,the Island House was deemed the Island's "best family hotel" as Mackinac Island was voted the most popular summer destination in America.

Upon his passing, Captain Van Allen bestowed the property to his daughter. Mrs. Rose Van Allen Webster became proprietor of the hotel in 1892. Together with her husband, whom she met while he was stationed at Fort Mackinac, the Webster's added the distinctive looking East and West wings in 1895 and 1912. The Island House enjoyed the benefits of these additions for the next 25 years as Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis and New York socialites were treated to afternoon high teas and full orchestra ballroom dancing. Mrs. Webster retained ownership of the Island House until her passing in 1938.

After Mrs. Webster's death, the hotel stood vacant for several years, as its maintenance and taxes were too burdensome for her heirs. In 1945 the state took over the property and for a brief period the hotel was used to house the Moral Rearmament, a movement which came about just after World War II. The group moved to Mission Point two years later and the hotel again stood vacant until 1949.

For more Island House History 1949 - 1980~ 1980 - Present

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