The Local History Gallery
For the White Lake Area
Website & Imaging: Jerry Grady     Research: Barb Brow

Belleview Resort

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In June 1890, W. C. Wiege was putting the finishing touches on his new summer resort in Whitehall on the shores of White Lake. There were eleven sleeping apartments, some of them double ones. A space in the attic supplied with cots could also be used in case of over crowing. “Belleview Family Summer Resort” offered fine fishing, rowing, bathing and excellent mineral spring water. During its first season, the guests numbered as high as eighty-nine and as low as twenty-five.

Mrs. Elizabeth Sickenberger was mentioned next in connection with Belleview as a source of mineral spring water which was being collected, bottled and sold by her in 1894.

In March 1900, it was reported that Fred Sadler had leased the property for the coming season. A large bath house was one of the improvements to be made. On June 9, 1900, a grand opening celebration was held. The Str. Carrie Ryerson brought people from Muskegon; the Steamers Eleanor and Cayuga brought people from both of the local villages. Beerman’s band furnished the music. There was dancing on the pavilion and refreshments.

Mrs. C. U. Smith took over as proprietor of Belleview in 1902 with the help of her nephew M.A. Lundell. She operated the resort until she retired in 1936. Although she operated it for a long time, there did not appear to be a lot on news about it in the local newspapers.

There were several quick successions of owners between 1936 and 1945. It was sold to Harry Hyslop of Oak Park, Illinois, in 1936 who renamed the resort “Oak Park Shores”. During his ownership, Mr. Hyslop erected several new cottages. In 1937, Mr. & Mrs. Otto Frye and Mr. & Mrs. Julius Honegger were identified as the new owners. Miss Elsa L. Christie took over the operations of the resort in 1938, and named it Belleview Shores, in recognition of the previous owners.

In 1945, Franklin Lundell, son of M. A. Lundell, his wife, and his brother-in-law Alfred Gara & his wife became the owners of Belleview resort. By 1948, Belleview consisted of 16 rooms and 4 cottages. Several improvements were made to the property, including a concrete stairway to the beach. Due to lack of information in the local newspapers, it is unclear exactly how long the Belleview Resort continued to operate.

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