Lovells in Crawford County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Thomas E. Douglas / The Douglas House
Thomas E. Douglas
Born and raised in Canada, Thomas E. Douglas came to Saginaw as an adult to work as a bookkeeper in his uncle's lumber mill. Upon moving to Grayling with his wife, Martha, in 1893, Douglas managed the R. Hanson Lumber Company. Taking advantage of the lumber boom in the Au Sable valley, the enterprising Douglas turned his attention to the logging town of Lovells. Here, around 1898, he built a sawmill, a general store, and a blacksmith shop. In 1916, as the lumbering era waned, Douglas opened the Douglas House hotel and established the North Branch Outing Club. Recognizing the opportunity to capitalize on the area's natural resources and the growth of tourism spurred by the increasing popularity of the automobile, Douglas helped change Lovells into a retreat for sportsmen.
The Douglas House
Canadian-born entrepreneur Thomas E. Douglas constructed a sawmill and general store in the logging community of Lovells around 1898. He erected a new store in 1903 after fire destroyed the first one, and in 1916 he built a hotel addition named the Douglas House. Electricity generated in his mill illuminated the twenty guest rooms and lavish common spaces. From the beginning, the hotel headquartered the North Branch Outing Club, a popular sportsmen’s club, which drew members like Henry and Edsel Ford, John and Horace Dodge, and Charles Nash. Douglas’s daughter, Margaret, ran the hotel until 1971. She continued to live in the Douglas House until 1991. In 1996 the property reopened as a bed and breakfast, continuing to provide lodging to hunting and fishing enthusiasts.
Erected 2001 by Michigan Historical Center - Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number L2028.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 44° 48.207′ N, 84° 28.939′ W. Marker is in Lovells, Michigan, in Crawford County. Marker is on East County Road 612, on the right when traveling east. Marker is about 350 feet east of Twin Bridge Road/Bald Hill Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6122 East County Road 612, Grayling MI 49738, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Lone Pine School (approx. ¼ mile away); Major Edward E. Hartwick (approx. 9.9 miles away); Congregational United Church of Christ (approx. 10.4 miles away); Angusdale Stock Farm (approx. 13.6 miles away).
Also see . . .
1. NBOC History. History of the North Branch Outing Club (NBOC) on the NBOC website. (Submitted on June 29, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. The document includes a narrative description of the building, a statement about its significance, and photographs of the building. (Submitted on June 29, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 226 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 22, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2. submitted on June 29, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3. submitted on September 23, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 4. submitted on September 22, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.