The Apple House sits on 15 acres which used to be part of our great grandparents' farm. They came from Sweden, settled near Chicago, then moved to Alanson to manage the farm. Our grandpa and his brothers and sister grew up on the farm. The original farmhouse still sits on the adjacent property, but is owned by someone else. We were unable to keep it due to upkeep issues and not having anyone on site. When we were children, we would stay at the farmhouse in the summer for a few weeks. We would play in the old red barn that used to be there (see painting under TV credenza), pick red raspberries in the field leftover from the farm, swim in Burt Lake and Lake Michigan, and hunt for Petoskey stones. We always had a wonderful time!
Around 1980, our parents converted the Apple House into a cottage. There used to be an apple orchard on the farm, and this building is where they would store the apples in the basement during the winter, to then sell in the warmer months. The story goes that in 1934, there was a freak heat wave in February, and sap started flowing out of the apple trees. Then the temperature dropped suddenly to 40 below zero and the apple trees exploded! Our great grandpa was so frustrated that he did not replant the apple trees. Only two or so remain around the cottage. They are Northern Spy trees, and our mother used to pick the apples, make pies, and freeze them so she and our dad could enjoy them throughout the year.
Hence the name the Apple House!

The Apple House is conveniently located near all the attractions Northern Michigan has to offer, yet it is situated in the woods in a private, secluded location. You will be minutes away from downtown Petoskey, and yet you may see a family of deer or wild turkeys in the back clearing from the sun room! Enjoy the beaches at the State Parks of Burt Lake and Petoskey, then have a relaxing evening back at the Apple House playing games and making S'mores over the fire pit in the backyard. Take a morning stroll in the woods around the property, then head out for a day trip to Mackinac Island.
Stay busy with nearby activities , or just relax in the house. Cook in the updated kitchen, stream movies on the 55" smart TV, and watch the night sky through the skylights.