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The featured house in a New York Times article on Greek Revival homes - "Kind of Classical," November 16, 2007 (see article link below)
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 "gentlemen's quarters" for writing and contemplation. Found at the end of a long private drive after greeting the grazing horses on the neighboring property.
Listed on the Michigan Historic Registry, the River House is one of the oldest homes in Southwestern Michigan. 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 area schoolchildren, few have been inside and you will be one of the first 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). 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. |
