Lexington in Sanilac County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Cadillac House
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 15, 2022
1. Cadillac House Marker
Side 2
Jeremiah Jenks and John L. Woods built the Cadillac House hotel in the Italianate style in 1860. The business opened on July 4 of that year with great fanfare, including songs from the Lexington Glee Club, a parade, dinner and dancing. The hotel was named for Antoine De La Mothe Cadillac, the founder of Fort Pontchartrain (later Detroit). It initially housed people staying in Lexington for the fishing and lumber industries. By 1884, Cadillac House was the largest hotel in Lexington. It boasted thirty rooms in 1893.
When Lexington's fishing and lumber industries declined near the start of the twentieth century, Cadillac House became a resort hotel. Business thrived in the 1920s, when automobiles and new roads brought more summer vacationers. The hotel portion had closed by the 1960s, but the restaurant served customers until 2016. A historic rehabilitation of the building in 2018 included replicating the nineteen-century brick chimneys, front porch and cupola. In 2019 the project earned two state historic preservation awards.
Erected 2019 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan History Center. (Marker Number L2330.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1860.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sanilac County Sesquicentennial Celebration (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles H. Moore Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Moore Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Town Hall and Masonic Temple (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charles H. Moore & Albert E. Sleeper House (about 600 feet away); Trinity Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Patrick J. Tierney (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Trinity Church (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 15, 2022
2. Cadillac House Marker
Side 2
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 15, 2022
3. Cadillac House Marker
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 15, 2022
4. Cadillac House
From the east
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 15, 2022
5. Cadillac House
From the north
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 15, 2022
6. Cadillac House
Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 16, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
