The Colonial Hotel: A Whitehall Landmark
The Colonial Hotel once stood proudly near Whitehall’s downtown in the early 1900s. It served visitors arriving by train and ferry. Many tourists came for White Lake’s views and cooler summer air. The hotel offered comfortable rooms, wraparound porches, and a social setting. It played a key role in the town’s summer economy. Photographs show a large wood-framed building that blended elegance with lakeside charm. It became a popular stop for travelers exploring the area’s beaches and shops.
A Hub for Travelers and Events
Tourists stayed at the Colonial during Whitehall’s resort-town peak. People came from Muskegon, Grand Rapids, and even Chicago. The hotel hosted dances, banquets, and local gatherings. It helped boost the downtown economy by drawing guests to nearby businesses. Visitors also used the hotel as a starting point for steamboat rides or day trips to Lake Michigan. For several decades, the Colonial stood at the center of Whitehall’s tourism and hospitality.
Tragedy in 1938
In May 1938, fire destroyed the Colonial Hotel. Flames spread quickly and reduced the building to rubble. No cause was confirmed. Residents mourned the loss of one of Whitehall’s most beloved landmarks. The hotel was never rebuilt. With it gone, a piece of Whitehall’s identity disappeared. The fire marked the end of an era for lakeside tourism. New roads and modern motels later changed how visitors stayed in town.
Echoes of a Forgotten Gem
Today, the Colonial Hotel lives on in photographs and community memory. The White Lake Area Historical Society keeps pieces of its story. Locals still share stories about grandparents who worked or stayed there. Although the building vanished, its legacy continues to shape Whitehall’s character. The hotel reminds us of a time when trains brought guests, porches filled with laughter, and lake towns thrived. Its history remains a treasured part of Whitehall’s past.
Barb Brow
May 9, 2025 at 2:55 pm
A little update to the history of the Colonial Inn.
The Colonial Inn originally started out as the Mears House in 1883. It had several owners over the years and the name was changed to the Mears Hotel.
In 1928, Alex Gloeckner sold the Mears Hotel to E. F. Peterson and his wife. They changed the name to the Coloial Hotel. E. F. Peterson died in January 1938 but his wife continued to operate the hotel until it was destroyed by fire in May 1938.
The Colonial Hotel was a three story block building, with no wraparound porches, located on Colby Street west of the alley, where CatchMark is now located.
If you are interested, I have several pictures of the hotel when it went by the Mears name as well as when it was the Colonial Inn.