Location: Buchanan, Southwest, Michigan, USA (20 Minutes E. of New Buffalo, Near South Bend + Notre Dame)
Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms + Detached Unit, 2.5 Baths (Sleeps 6-8)
The featured house in a New York Times article on Greek Revival homes - "Kind of Classical," November 16, 2007 (see article link below). Also the site of an upcoming movie.
Perfect for Fall Winery Visits, Halloween Weekends to Pumpkin Patches and Haunted Houses, Fishing and Biking; Winter Ski Weekends at Nearby Swiss Valley with Lessons for the Kids; Catered Meals Available
A writing and sporting retreat 20 minutes from New Buffalo, just North of South Bend and within two hours of Chicago in the town of Buchanan. 1830s Greek Revival home with gracious white columns and porches on 650 feet of the St. Joseph River. Private five and a half landscaped acres, including a former horse barn complete with a furnished "gentlemens' quarters" for writing and contemplation. Found at the end of a long private drive after greeting the grazing horses on the neighboring property.
Renter Testimonials:
Fall, 2008: "We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in your beautiful house. The rural setting right on the river was very peaceful. We expected to run into ghosts from eons past, but no such luck! We had the benefit of perfect fall Michigan weather, and can't wait to return. Thank you for sharing your house! . . .Everything worked out perfectly."
Summer, 2009: "We had a very wonderful time at the River House, which we enjoyed very much, and also the great river views and the beautiful surroundings. In truth the house is reminiscent of Rowan Oak in Oxford, Mississippi. the home of Wm. Faulkner. He wrote the plots of some of his novels on the walls (We did not do this of course!). We enjoyed the furnishings and did not miss modern trappings one bit."
Listed on the Michigan Historic Registry, the River House is one of the oldest homes in the Midwest. Steeped in history, from its early Midwest pioneer beginnings, to a bootlegging period of whiskey production and operation as a river tavern to its revival in the early 60s by a devoted lover of the house and its history. Furnishings are simple and uncluttered, with select period pieces such as one of the original imposing beds from Chicago's Palmer House and a mid-1850s square grand piano.
A place to complete your novel, plan your next five years or catch-up with family and friends. Bring your kayaks and canoes to navigate over 10 miles of the Saint Joseph River (though you may be humbled by either generation of Olympic kayakers down the way). Fish for walleye and more from the sloping lawn leading to the river. Or just relax on one of the three stately and columned slate porches overlooking the lawn and river (and the unspoiled and uninhabited wooded bluff on the opposite side), watch the fishing boats occasionally troll the waters and try your hand at identifying the varieties of wildlife, trees and shrubs.
The house is not for everyone but could be exactly the right place to unwind, stretch out and enjoy a solitude that is close to, but virtually unaffected by, the weekenders and vacationers in Harbor Country. The stainless appliances, granite countertops and flat-panel entertainment systems are better found back toward Union Pier, New Buffalo and environs (OK, there is an espresso maker to keep you charged and wireless Internet access to keep you connected).
The one sign of the modern world in the vicinity is US 31, which crosses the river beyond the property and behind the trees, offering little competition with the sounds of birds, frogs, leaping squirrels and an occasional teething raccoon. Children love the open grounds for ball playing and Frisbee tossing (Dad and Mom, let's go easy on the history lesson!). Though visited by generations of Buchanan schoolchildren, you will be able to enjoy the kind of experience not usually available on the rental market.
Buchanan is small town America, 20 minutes directly East of New Buffalo/Union Pier and 15 minutes North of South Bend (guests can meet you at the Amtrak station in nearby Niles). A surprise since 2008 is the revived downtown, complete with a wonderful community of antique and other merchants. Home of the Tabor Hill Winery (with other vineyards nearby), the Fernwood Botanic Gardens and a countryside of classic barns, farms, woods and open space. And if you wish to sample an even larger body of water, you can do that too - the River House is within 20 to 30 minutes of Lake Michigan beaches stretching from New Buffalo to Warren Dunes to St. Joseph and beyond.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning: Room a/c units
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer: Room in barn
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Double Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Crib
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Catering Available
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio: Slate stone porch overlooking river
- View/Location
- Waterfront, not Lake/Oceanfront. Ask for details: Perfect river frontage with uninhabited wooded bluffs on opposite side
- Communications
- Telephone
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Barn with Furnished Study, Pine Floors Throughout, Wireless Internet Access, Kitchen, Espresso/Coffee Maker, Linens and towels provided, No Smoking & No Pets (sorry!)
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations)
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations)
- Kid Friendly: Few better places for running free, fishing and being a kid
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Kayaking
- Boating
- Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Sledding/Tubing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Antiquing
- Other Activities
- Fishing off the dock, Golfing, Boating (Kayaking and Canoing), Wonderful child-friendly nearby beach at Clear Lake, Tabor Hill Winery, Round Barn Winery, Fernwood Botanic Gardens, Sonny's Restaurant (excellent ribs, etc, in Buchanan), Terrific family skiing at Swiss Valley (35 minutes from the house). Revived downtown with antique and other shops.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$300 Per night for Fall/Winter Weekend (Outside of Holidays/Notre Dame Football)
Year-round - Great for Halloween, Wineries and Winter Skiing.
1/2 of rental due upon reservation, balance 3 weeks before check-in.
$750 security deposit, refundable 2 weeks after check-out. Paypal ok!
Feel free to e-mail or call David for more information.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2004
Here is David, Choon and Alex right near the river behind the house. David will be your primary contact, though we can put you in touch with Choon if you prefer!
Why the Owner Chose Buchanan
This is a place of solitude that offers a no-distractions environment for family and friends with small-town America nearby. This is simplicity and privacy on the water.
Property Photos
- From the river looking up the sloping lawn - Michigan Vacation Rental
- Side of house looking toward river and unspoiled woods beyond - Michigan Vacation Rental
- Photo of living room, including fireplance - Michigan Vacation Rental
- The porch overlooking the river.
- The center of the house - a library which doubles as a dining room.
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #61848
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This listing was first published here in 2005.
Date last modified - October 07, 2009
