Sunday, August 31, 2008

Picture - Postcard - Wish You Were Here

Daddy D and I are taking a small Labor Day vacation. We have had full and busy summer with little time for vacations so we made the decision late in the week to get away before the snow flies. Because we waited until the last minute, we not able to make reservations at some of the traditional vacation spots in southwestern Michigan. Thus, we made reservations to stay in Niles, a city located a few miles north of South Bend, Indiana. When we arrived in the city, we learned some of the local history of the area. We have had a grand time investigating the area and the historic structures. Pictured here is the historic Niles City Hall that originally was the family home of Henry A. Chapin. The city hall was built in 1884 and used by the Chapin family until 1902. Chapin was a local business man, who made most of his money from the discovery of iron ore near Iron Mountain in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Isn't the buliding magnificent both as a home and as a public building?

12 comments:

Jan said...

Your post reminds me of the time we were driving from NC to WI, and I booked a B&B in Logansport, IN. Bob lived in Logansport as a boy, before moving to CA. We pulled into the B&B and the outside looked very scary. If I'd been traveling alone, I would have cancelled. But Bob was with me and we went in. It was a great place, and the owners were wonderful. It wasn't as fancy as most of the B&B's we've stayed in, but we're not fancy either. When we left they even drew us a map of how to take the backroads to Chicago. Great route.

Beckie said...

Gorgeous!

Margaret said...

That is a gorgeous building. I'm glad that you and Daddy D got to travel a bit for Labor Day. We stayed home; I drove up to Seattle to visit my older daughter. Otherwise, a relaxing(boring?) weekend.

Anonymous said...

Welcome to my home state! If you were a bit closer I would have loved to meet you for coffee/something. Alas I am a about 20 minutes outside of Detroit.

Have fun!

captain corky said...

It is an amazing building and I like how green and fresh the landscaping looks.

storyteller said...

Looks like a LOVELY spot indeed. I hope you enjoy your holiday get-away!
Hugs and blessings,

Luke said...

It is indeed a nifty building, too bad it's probably haunted.

daddy d said...

It may well be haunted;however, the spirits were sleeping. We were the only ones around during the time of our visit. That building shows that a good idea can make a lot of money.

Jenni said...

That is a fabulous building. I love to see beautiful old buildings being kept up and repurposed.

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I'm glad you got a little get away at least. :)

wendishness said...

I love this old house, what a beauty!

Anonymous said...

that is a beautiful piece of architecture...right here in michigan!!!