Hamburg Township in Livingston County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Travelers Stop
at the Hamburg House Hotel
Photographed by Joel Seewald, February 27, 2021
1. Travelers Stop Marker
The Hotel brought the world to the little village of Hamburg.
Built in 1835 beside Horsehoe Creek, it sheltered many early settlers to the region and, by 1850, visitors coming to enjoy hunting and fishing in the woods and lakes. Two railroad lines were built right by the Hotel in the 1880s, on either side of the creek, and served the area's growing summer resort industry. The Hotel became the center of the community, hosting weddings, funerals, and traveling salesmen. The Winkelhaus family owned and operated the hotel for 50 years before it was destroyed by fire in 1968.
You Auto Know
The hotel was the first building in the community to get electricity, in 1925.
Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location. 42° 26.886′ N, 83° 48.066′ W. Marker is near Hamburg, Michigan, in Livingston County.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Trains to Hamburg (within shouting distance of this marker); Hamburg (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Stephen's (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hamburg / Edwin B. Winans (approx. 0.3 miles away); Huron River (approx. 1.7 miles away); Homesite of Edwin B. Winans (approx. 2.3 miles away); The Big Chill (approx. 2.4 miles away); Chain of Lakes (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamburg.
2. Travelers Stop at the Hamburg House Hotel Marker — far left image
Each second story room had a knotted rope for escape out the window in case of fire.
Photos courtesy of the Hamburg Historical Society
3. Travelers Stop at the Hamburg House Hotel Marker — near left images
Top: The Hotel and various work buildings, about 1910, near the Grand Trunk Railroad tracks and depot at the right.
Bottom: The saloon at the back end of the building, about 1905. Mr. Winkelhaus later opened a Ford dealership there.
Bottom: The saloon at the back end of the building, about 1905. Mr. Winkelhaus later opened a Ford dealership there.
Photo courtesy of the Hamburg Historical Society
4. Travelers Stop at the Hamburg House Hotel Marker — upper right image
The main entrance to the Hotel, facing Hamburg Road, 1909. That year, John and Bertha Winkelhaus made improvements to the porch and sidewalks.
Photo courtesy of the Hamburg Historical Society
5. Travelers Stop at the Hamburg House Hotel Marker — middle right image
At the Hotel check-in desk, about 1910, are (left to right) John Winkelhaus, son Wilbur, Wilbur's cousin Lori Winkelhaus, Wilbur's brother Ted with mother Bertha and Aunt Mary Wenger.
Photo courtesy of the Hamburg Historical Society
6. Travelers Stop at the Hamburg House Hotel Marker — lower near right image
The Winkelhaus family, 1914. Bertha (left) and John (right) owned and operated the Hamburg House Hotel from 1903 to 1953. They also lived there with their five children (from left) Ted, Hazel, Wilbur, Hilda and Louis. The family still owns the property, and their legacy is honored by Winkelhaus Park.
7. Travelers Stop at the Hamburg House Hotel Marker — lower far right image
Hamburg House Hotel items, including a ticket for 35-cent Sunday chicken dinner and the key to lock the front door at 11:00 every night.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, February 27, 2021
8. Travelers Stop at the Hamburg House Hotel Marker
View looking towards the south.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 443 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 8, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
