Our sublime little corner of the earth is rich in history. While our magnificent house dates back to the twenties or thirties, our other historic buildings—the “little house,” granary, and barn--date back a century and a half. What began as a working dairy farm (the cattle stalls are still in the lower level of the barn), was reinvented half a century after its conception. For fifty years, the original family lived in a home that is tiny by anyone's standards and lived the laborious lives of farmers. How they one day managed to build a home that even by today's standards is extravagant has often been explained in one word: prohibition.

With a ready means of transport—the big lake—and a supply of local corn and running water, a small fortune was not inconceivable. In fact, the infamous Al Capone is said to have had a hand in the whole business, a tidbit that has been confirmed in local folklore enough times to convince us.

The house is rumored to have been a bordello, is certain to have been a rooming house, and was then occupied by single families for many years. When our family purchased it in 1987, it was only a year before we again opened our doors to the traveling public, and welcomed those adventurers looking to find the heart of Leelanau.

Today, the Inn has been operating for 20 wonderful years. We have made many friends and memories and look forward to many more in the future. With the inception of Leelanau Brewing Company, Snowbird Farms, an organic herb farm operation, and Leelanau Joe's apple cider mill, we are proud to offer our friends and guests even more delightful reasons to call the Snowbird your home away from home.