Peninsula Township in Old Mission Point in Grand Traverse County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Hesler Log House
Registered Michigan Historic Site
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 26, 2016
1. Hesler Log House Marker (Side A)
The Hesler house is a rare surviving log house dating from the early settlement of the Old Mission Peninsula. From 1854 to 1856, Joseph and Mary Hesler built the house of hand hewn pine and hemlock logs fourteen miles south of here on the eastern shore of the peninsula. Joseph and Mary, from Canada and Ireland respectively, were among a number of Irish, English, Canadian, and Scottish immigrants living in the southern part of the township in 1860.
Completed in 1856, the Hesler Log House typifies the first shelters built by early pioneers. Faced with acres of forest, they cleared their land, built a house with the timber, and planted crops. The Heslers sold the house in 1866. During the next 125 years it served as a private residence, housing for migrant workers, a school, and quarters for a bull. When the house was threatened with demolition in 1992, citizens rallied. The building was moved to this site and restored.
Erected 2001 by Michigan Historical Commission, Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2059.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 44° 59.464′ N, 85° 28.798′ W. Marker is in Old Mission Point, Michigan, in Grand Traverse County. It is in Peninsula Township. It can be reached from Center Road (Route 37). Marker and house are in Peninsula Township Park, just west of the Old Mission Point Lighthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20500 Center Road, Traverse City MI 49686, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula and in the Grand Traverse Bay Region. It is also in
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Hessler Log Home (a few steps from this marker); James M. Olson (a few steps from this marker); Restoration of the West-Side Entrance (a few steps from this marker); A Light at Old Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Lighthouse Privy (within shouting distance of this marker); Oil House (within shouting distance of this marker); Peninsula Township War Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dougherty Mission House / Rushmore House and Inn (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Old Mission Point.
Also see . . .
1. The Hessler Log Cabin. (Submitted on September 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. The Hessler Log House. (Submitted on September 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 26, 2016
2. Hesler Log House Marker (Side B)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 26, 2016
3. Hesler Log House and Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 26, 2016
4. Hesler Log House
Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 735 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
