Rosemont, Douglas, Michigan

--- by grandson Bob Erickson  - April 2009

    The Rosemont property became a fruit farm in the 1870s.  The owners planted and farmed a large peach orchard; It was very productive.

Samuel and Ellen (Probably shortly after their marriage)

    Samuel Willison Bryan Jr. (born Kalamazoo, Dec. 24, 1847) and Ellen Serena (Olsen) Bryan married in 1882.  In 1886, they purchased the 40 acre farm.  The property, which originally extended east from Lake Michigan and north from Center Road, would eventually be occupied by a number of private dwellings, the Douglas Public Beach, the Rosemont Resort, a chestnut grove and portions of the Golf Course.  Unfortunately, in the 1890s the area peach growing economy suffered major losses due to weather and several genetic malignancies.  Trees began producing deformed fruit.  The government eventually required the cutting and burning of entire orchards to prevent further spread of the disease.  The Saugatuck Township property tax in 1896 was $17.76, based on an assessed valuation of $1000.  Children Nellie, Willis, Lillian and Hallie were born in the farmhouse. 

Views of the original Farmhouse, Circa 1899 photo of the Farmhouse with the Bryan family  posing on the front steps.  Samuel Willison (standing, holding the halter of his horse); His wife Ellen holding baby Hallie;  Lillian (age 3 or 4);  Nellie (sitting); Willis Simon; and two local boys: Geo Morgan and William McVea.  [IDs by Lillian]

The farmhouse was destroyed by fire in 1900.  Douglass was born in the replacement building.

About this time, the Lake Shore area was becoming a vacation destination.  The Rosemont (initially named Rose Mont) was established by 1904 after an addition was built onto the front of the new building.  Samuel had some understanding of hotel management since his parents had operated a hotel in Kalamazoo.  Initially, the resort served meals.  The lower level of the rear building was occupied by dining and kitchen areas. Over time it became a Rooming facility and later a Bed & Breakfast. The lake shore area became part of the Village of Douglas in 1904.  Hallie and Douglass built homes just to the south of the resort.  Willis built his home along Center St.  Over time all other lots abutting Lake Shore Drive and Center St. were sold.

Nellie Bryan Howlett and her brother Douglass Bryan

    Samuel died in 1918. After Ellen died in 1938, Nellie, and later Douglass & his wife would operate the business.   It was sold to M. Sajak in the 1970s. It is now called the Rosemont Inn.

Ellen Serena (Olsen) Bryan - born Chicago Nov. 12, 1861; died 1938. The Bryan children were Nellie (1885-1972);  Willis Simon (1888-1972); Lillian (1895-2000); Hallie (1898-1977); and Douglass (1901-1976).


Photo of a Dug Well - Ellen in dark dress at rear.


The earlier photos of the Rosemont have ornate decorative shake bands across the front of the attic dormer.