Location: Empire, Northwest, Michigan, USA (On a Private Road Just North of the Village of Empire)
Accommodations: House, 2 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 1 Bath (Sleeps 4-6)
This is a beautiful old farm house built in 1890 about 1/4 mile north of the historic Village of Empire. The building has been updated, but still has the old feel of comfort and tranquility. There's a glassed in wrap-around porch that is just perfect for lounging on a rainy day with a large dining room table for "almost-outdoors" meals.
The house is at the end of a short, private road (no traffic) in a grove of very old locust trees in the southwest corner of a 40-acre parcel. The property has a very pretty little stream flowing across part of it a few hundred feet away and below the house. Adjacent to the 40 acres of wooded private land is a nature area protected by the Leelanau Conservancy with comfortable walking trails.
There's a very nice public beach in the Village of Empire with a large playground and access to both Lake Michigan and South Bar Lake (warmer water). If you're feeling fit, you can also walk about one mile north and west from the house, through the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore forest to emerge on a very secluded sugar-sand beach on Lake Michigan.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Linens Provided
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Wood Stove
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Convertible Bed
- Entertainment
- TV (No Cable/Satellite)
- DVD
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Communications
- Telephone
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snowmobiling
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$750/week; $200 refundable security deposit
Weekly Rentals: Check in 3 p.m. Sat-Check Out is 12 noon on Sat
(checks or cash); Minimum stay of 1 week.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 1933
Bronwyn is an English teacher at Northwestern Michigan College. Joe is the director of a nonprofit community service organization in Traverse City. We're very active in several of the region's nonprofit groups and enjoy lots of outdoor activities. We're also members of the Beach Bards, a nonprofit group of four poets and storytellers. We gather with lots of friends and visitors every Friday night to recite poems, tell stories and enjoy some music around a big bonfire next to Lake Michigan at the Leelanau School near Glen Arbor - come join us.
Why the Owner Chose Empire
Bronwyn inherited this property from her grandfather ("the professor") who purchased it from one of Empire's founding families in 1933. The old farm house was purchased by Professor Jones as a summer get-away, which it was for many, many glorious summers. In recent years, the house has been a beloved retreat for family members.
The Unique Benefits of this House
We love the tranquility and seclusion of Grove House. But we also love the connection to a beautiful historic village with lots of amenities in Traverse City, just 25 miles away. The Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore is truly a jewel on the world's inland seas. We enjoy picking up some towels and a small cooler and walking the mile or so to the secluded Lake Michigan shoreline, swimming and reading all day, then watching the sunset (have you seen the green flash?).
Property Photos
- Looking up to the house from the barn. - Empire, Michigan Vacation Home near the Beach
- A closer look at the house & porch (Joe's cleaning windows) - Empire, Michigan Vacation Home near the Beach
- Looking from the living room across to the dining room. - Empire, Michigan Vacation Home near the Beach
- The downstairs bedroom.
- Looking from the dining room across the house to the living room.
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #251581
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This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - October 07, 2009
