HomeMotels and HotelsOld Orchard Inn (Tonawanda, Tonawathya Resort)

Old Orchard Inn (Tonawanda, Tonawathya Resort) - Glen Arbor MI

Address: 7408 S Glen Lake Rd
City: Glen Arbor
State: MI
Zip: 49636
County: Leelanau
Number of visits to this page: 586
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General Information:

Tonawanda or Tonawathya Resort was built by Frank and Anna Gregory. It was sold to Asa and Edna Case in 1947. I have seen both spellings used for Tonawanda/Tonawathya but I don't know which is correct. In the 1950's it was sold yet again and named Old Orchard Inn. It was burned in 1970 in a controlled fire department exercise.

At that time, it was owned by Mrs. Howard R. Whitney and Mr. and Mrs. Jones all of Hinsdale, Illinois, and Mr. and Mrs. Donald R Borgeson of Birmingham. Back in those days, these inns operated under the "American Plan" which basically included extended stay lodging, meals, and entertainment all for one price. That was no longer economically feasible so they closed the Inn.

The property was to be redeveloped and named the "Old Orchard Colony Club". The idea was to set up a non-profit and the residents would all own a piece of it to manage the property. However, other than the one article mentioning this, I found nothing more on that. I believe it was replaced by private homes.

I haven't nailed down the exact location but it was on the west shore of Glen Lake on M-22. I found a candidate at or near 7408 S Glen Lake Rd so I will go with that for now. There was a sizable structure on the 1954 aerial photo that was gone by 1977 so that fits the idea it was demoed in 1970.

Info Updates:
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 Photos:8
Old Orchard Inn (Tonawanda, Tonawathya Resort) - Vintage Postcard
Vintage Postcard
Old Orchard Inn (Tonawanda, Tonawathya Resort) - Vintage Postcard
Vintage Postcard
Old Orchard Inn (Tonawanda, Tonawathya Resort) - Vintage Postcard
Vintage Postcard
Old Orchard Inn (Tonawanda, Tonawathya Resort) - Vintage Postcard
Vintage Postcard
Old Orchard Inn (Tonawanda, Tonawathya Resort) - 1954 Aerial
1954 Aerial
Old Orchard Inn (Tonawanda, Tonawathya Resort) - July 10 1957 Ad
July 10 1957 Ad
Old Orchard Inn (Tonawanda, Tonawathya Resort) - Oct 2 1969
Oct 2 1969
Old Orchard Inn (Tonawanda, Tonawathya Resort) - Vintage Ad
Vintage Ad
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