The Pete Marquette Railroad established extensive operations in New Buffalo, MI in the early 20th century including new tracks, coaling stations and a round house.  As part of this development in 1921, the railroad constructed a 56 room hotel to serve passengers and railroad employees.  This hotel was associated closely with the railroad yard, which was a major stop on the Pete Marquette mainline west line, providing lodging and amenities for passengers and staff.

     The hotel contributed to New Buffalo’s growth as a rail hub and complemented the town’s broader transformation as a lake resort.  While the surrounding area had earlier resort hotels and summer camps dating to  1893 and the late 19th century, the Pete Marquette Hotel was uniquely tied to railroad operations and designed to accommodate the increasing number of travelers during the railroad boom. The hotel’s construction coincided with other railroad improvements, such as engine facilities and coaling stations, marking 1921 as a pivotal year in New Buffalos railroad linked development.

     Architecturally, the building is rectangular with brick construction. Its design emphasized stability and durability.

     The Pere.Marquette Hotel in New Buffalo , Michigan was built in 1893 by termed and entrepreneur Isaac O. Smith to accommodate travelers heading to the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago

     The upper floor closed years ago.  The lower level of the building continued to serve rail road related functions. It has integrated into the New Buffalo Railroad Museum

    The Hotel Rio (often.called.The Rio on the Beach ) was a landmark restaurant and hotel built on the sand dunes of New Buffalo, Michigan, around 1930.  Local.lore suggests parts of the structure originated from.the 1893 Chicago.World’s Fair.before being moved to the New Buffalo Shoreline.

Origins and Operations

   Establishment:  Built.on the dunes and current beach park.area in.1930, operating as popular gathering spot and resort destination.

     Community. Hub:served as a local touchpoint , including hosting the initial 1956 meeting that established the New Buffalo Yacht Club

   Tourism and local sign fiance

The Rio contributed to New Buffalo ‘ transformation from a small railroad town into vacation destination. 

     The Hotel operated for at least 25 years before closing.

     The Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Station is located at 200 Doousman Street Green Bay Wisconsin. It was built in 1899. It was designed by the archectural firm of Frost and Granger. The architectural style  is Italian Renaissance Revival.  The exterior is constructed of red orange brick and features a 3 part design.

     Southern Block

This 2 story  brick segment historically functioned as the main passenger depot.

     Northern Block

This 2 story brick section served  the utilitarian baggage and freight area.

     Historically single story brick.connecting corridor links the passenger and baggage block into.one unified structure.

Key Architectural Elements Companile Clock Tower

     Building defining landmark is a dramatic 5 story Italianate Tower dominating the Southern Block.  It features a large clock face visible  to the surrounding downtown Broadway district

Roofline

     Both primary 2 story blocks are capped  with a classic , low pitched roofs that extend into wide eaves. 

Fenestration Facade breaks up the building brick work with a series of tall prominent windows and grand arched entry ways that welcome passengers arriving from adjacent platform tracks.

     Currently the entire exterior profile and its historic masonry are fully.preserved with the extensive track facing windows serving as a main scenic feature of the restaurant dining room in the building

     

     The Engineer Castle was built in 1937 by the WPA.  It is a literal stone castle. It was designed as a scaled replica of the official insignia of the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers.

     Architecture

    It features prominent limestone battlements, parapet walls and medieval style turrets.  It underwent full historic preservation and restoration that was completed in 2019
     What’s inside

Today the climate controlled interior serves as an educational exhibit housing small mammals and reptIles, including fennec foxes and cold blooded species.

     It was listed.on.the National Register of Historic Places in 1991

Stetson Mansion

This is a commercial building located at 110 N. Whittaker New Buffalo, MI. It was built in 1880. It features a Late 19th.century Vernacular Commercial architectural style.

Key Architectural Elements

     Brick Facade Built originally with traditional red brick masonry.

     Commercial Storefront

Traditional large display windows designed to attract passing pedestrian, paired with an integral street level entrance

        Vintage Coastal  The exterior has been updated with modern aesthetic touches such as classic painted awnings and minimalist custom signage to match its current identify within the Mercantile Collective..

    Prior businesses at this site include

Third Coast Surf Shop.  A surf and swimwear retail store catering to locals and visitors, offering sand board rentals and beach apparel

     Sailors Wife another retail establishment at the same address, likely focused on apparel or speciality items.

     Elmer’s, Inc. A registered business entity associated with 110 N. Whittaker St. Filed in 1989. Current status Automatic Dissolution

Current Businesses

     Eastern Standard Time premium casual retail store offering graphic driven apparel, sweat shirts, hats, curated life style items and home goods tailored around Great Lakes and shoreline life.

    110 C Cool Pepper. A specialized boutiaue/food establishment

    This building was built in 1950.  It is a 2 story commercial brick structure. It is 4,448 square feet. It is mid century commercial or industrial style. This is characterzed by functional boxy forms,flat or low pitchy roof, use of modern materials ie steel, glass, and or concrete, straight lines and geometric shapes, large windows or storefronts to maximize light and visibility.

     Current owner owned by Standard 1208 , LlC since 6/2022

     Previous ownership before that.It was owned by.a company from November, 2010 to June, 2022

    Earlier private owner ship. The.property changed hands multiple times between 1996 to 2008

Lakeside United Methodist Church

Lake side United Methodist Church

    Lake side United Methodist Church is a historic congregation founded by early settlers in the late 19th century

Founding and Early Structure

     Established in 1881.  Early settlers laid the groundwork for the church community

      Hand built foundation: pioneers built the original structure by digging a ditch the size of the building,filling it with rocks and laying  planks on top

     Wall Ser up: floor joists were attached directly to these foundation timbers and connected to the wall studs

Key Historical Milestones

     The 1885 Dedication Bible  John Wesley Wilkinson considered the founder of Lakeside, presented a signed Dedication Bible to the Church in 1885

     Debt celebration: The historic Bible.was gifted to celebrate the church building being completely paid off

     Living History:  That exact 1885 Bible still sits on the altar at every Sunday .

     Lake side Road Fixture

The building at 14970 Lakeside Road remains a long standing landmark in the Harbor Country Region

Lake side United Methodist Church