Lawton in Van Buren County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Houppert Winery
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, March 9, 2023
1. Houppert Winery Marker
Inscription.
Houppert Winery. . Grape growing began in Lawton in 1868 when A.B. Jones planted 100 vines. By 1900 many eastern Van Buren County farmers converted their land to vineyards. In 1903 the Lawton Vineyard Company built a winery on this site, which William C. Houppert purchased in 1933. The region's grape production peaked in 1939. During the harvest the Houppert Winery took in 200 to 400 tons of grapes daily. On June 7, 1940, Houppert's prosperity ended when fire destroyed the complex. Houppert rebuilt the winery, but he never recovered financially. In 1943 he sold the property to the predecessor of the Warner Vineyards of Paw Paw, which operated the winery through the 1970s. In 1990 the Lawton Lions Club purchased the winery and rehabilitated it as a community center and museum.
Grape growing began in Lawton in 1868 when A.B. Jones planted 100 vines. By 1900 many eastern Van Buren County farmers converted their land to vineyards. In 1903 the Lawton Vineyard Company built a winery on this site, which William C. Houppert purchased in 1933. The region's grape production peaked in 1939. During the harvest the Houppert Winery took in 200 to 400 tons of grapes daily. On June 7, 1940, Houppert's prosperity ended when fire destroyed the complex. Houppert rebuilt the winery, but he never recovered financially. In 1943 he sold the property to the predecessor of the Warner Vineyards of Paw Paw, which operated the winery through the 1970s. In 1990 the Lawton Lions Club purchased the winery and rehabilitated it as a community center and museum.
Erected 2000 by Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L2017.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1886.
Location. 42° 10.469′ N, 85° 50.448′ W. Marker is in
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Lawton, Michigan, in Van Buren County. It can be reached from N. Nursery Street 0.2 miles north of Acorn Lane, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located behind the building of the Lawton Community Center and Museum near the rear entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 646 N Nursery St, Lawton MI 49065, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan and specifically in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. 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.
Near rear entrance of Lawton Community Center and Museum
Photographed by Duane Hall, September 4, 2013
4. Lawton Community Center and Museum
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 847 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on March 13, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 6, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
