Surrey House

My Aunt Suzie found some great RPPCs (real photo postcards) in the family collection from Harrison, Michigan. I’ve scanned both the front and back, so you can see my great grandfather’s lovely handwriting. I’ll be posting another two of these cards in weeks to come. If you would like to see the first card, click here.

1947. This bldg was the old Ohio Tavern until remodeled into this structure.

Ghost hunters, take note…the Surrey House has been investigated! Click to read about it here. From that site, they list the following building history: ” In 1880 the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad sold the property on the corner of Beech and Second Streets to some prominent Harrison citizens. A hotel and tavern with a livery stable attached was built and called the Lockwood House. Later it was renamed the Ohio Tavern. Old bills and receipts found in the walls of the original structure indicated from the amount of glass replacement that the Lockwood House was the scene of some discord. For many years the structure stood empty and neared condemnation. Only one side of it was utilized, and that was as an outdoor movie screen. In 1945, Edward Groehsl, a Flint businessman, bought the building and began the process of renovation, it was renamed The Colonial House and was managed by Arthur D. Butterfield. In 1949, Omar and Lucille Austin and Lucille’s sister, Margaret and her husband, Leonard Baker became the owners. The rambling three-story white colonial inn was renamed The Surrey House, and for many years it was a showplace of Harrison with a state-wide reputation for fine dining. The property was transferred to Rumsey Swallow and then to the current owners, Brook and Kim Wood. A fire has damaged several areas in the upper floors. The Surrey House is considered to be Harrison’s oldest historic landmark and many famous individuals have dined there including governors, politicians, and television personalities.”