Arcadia House

Arcadia House was constructed in 1910 by the Tondu family, well known local builders. It was the long-time residence of Charles P. Matteson who operated the general store next door. Careful restoration has preserved the home’s Edwardian elegance and added modern comfort and convenience.

Antique furniture and accessories throughout the house contribute to the tranquil ambience so valued by our guests. Enjoy cozy fires in the parlor, table games in the sitting room, or relax on the porch with a 1940′s novelfrom our vintage collection.

Four suites feature queen beds. Two of the queen rooms enjoy a private balcony.

An outstanding breakfast is served daily in our dining room from 8am-10am – a great start to your vacation day.

Amenities:

• All Rooms with Private Bath
• Outdoor Garden Hot Tub
• On Site Mini Spa – Massage, Manicures & Pedicures
• Entire House Air Conditioned
• Free High Speed Wireless Internet Access
• Outstanding Breakfast 8am-10am
• Parlor with Fireplace
• Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course & Dining – just 2 miles!
• Crystal Mountain - Ski/Golf – just 14 miles!
• Arcadia Beach on Lake Michigan - just 5 blocks!

Restaurants Area Restaurant Guide  Nearby

Golf  Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club & Dining, Arcadia, MI  2 Miles

Golf  Chestnut Hills Golf Course, Bear Lake, MI  4 Miles

Golf/Ski  Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville, MI  14 Miles

Golf  The Heathlands Golf Course, Onekama, MI   11 Miles

Swim/Sun/Sunset Viewing/Picnic  Arcadia Public Beach, Arcadia, MI  5 Blocks

Sightsee  M-22 Color Tour, Arcadia, MI  0 Miles

Hike/Bike/Nature/ Sightsee  Sleeping Bear Dunes, Empire, MI  35 Scenic Miles

Hike/Bike/Nature/ Sightsee  Betsie Valley Trail, Frankfort, MI  10 Miles

Hike/Mushrooms/Cross Country Ski/Birding/ SnowShoeing/Mountain Biking  Arcadia Dunes Nature Preserve, Arcadia, MI  2 Miles

Scenic Great Lakes Circle Tour  Great Lakes Circle Tour, Arcadia, MI  0 Miles

Ski Tips  Ride Tips  2 Miles

Concerts/Arts & Entertainment  Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI  31 Miles

Boat/Cruise  Sleeping Bear Dunes Boat Cruise, Frankfort, MI  10 Miles

Boat/Fish   Arcadia Township Public Marina,  Arcadia, MI  4 blocks

Ice Cream & Gift Shop  Arcadia Marine & Lily Pad gift shop, Arcadia, MI  3 blocks

Canoeing/Tubing  Riverside Canoes, Honor, MI  24 Miles

Canoeing/Tubing  Wilderness Canoe Trips, Mesick, MI  31 Miles

Canoeing/Tubing  Pine River Paddle Sports Center, Wellston, MI  41 Miles

Fishing Guides  Hawkins Outfitters, Manistee, MI  Rivers vary

Gaming  Little River Casino, Manistee, MI  17 Miles

Horseback Riding  Rockin R Ranch, Bear Lake, MI  10 Miles

Snowmobile  Manistee and Benzie County Snow Mobile Trails Snowmobiles allowed on all County Roads Snow Tracks  8 Miles (to Trailhead)

Area Lighthouse  Point Betsie Lighthouse, Frankfort, MI  15 Miles

Wine Tasting  Leelanau Peninsula Wine Country, Leelanau County, MI   50 Scenic Miles

About Arcadia  Historic Arcadia, MI, Arcadia, MI  2 Blocks

About Arcadia  Arcadia Township, Arcadia, MI  15 Miles

Drive-In Theatre  Cherry Bowl Drive In Theatre, Honor, MI  21 Miles

Arcadia House was built in 1910 by well known local builder brothers Paul and Leo Tondu. Although not officially a two family home, Paul and his wife Lulu resided on the main floor while Leo and his wife Elta used an outdoor back staircase to the upstairs living area. It was one of the first homes in Arcadia to have both running water and electricity. The running water, however, consisted of a horse trough in the attic serviced by a hand pump and gravity fed to 2 sinks in the home.

Early in its life, the home was purchased by Charles P. Matteson, youngest son of one of Arcadia’s founding pioneers, Henry Clay Matteson. Charles and his wife Ada set up and operated the general store next door. (The store building still exists today and is currently enjoying renovations). The Matteson’s converted the home to a single family residence and added much of the custom woodwork including the fine central staircase. Arcadia House was their home for nearly 50 years, and they were its longest term residents. Over the years, Ida became famous for her delightful afternoon tea parties.

After Charles’ death in 1965, the Perry family used the house as a summer home until 1992 when it was purchased from Helen Perry by Phyllis & David Baldwin of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Over the period of 5 years, the Baldwin’s took great care in their thorough renovation and enlargement to convert the home to a five suite Bed and Breakfast Inn.

In 1995, a large shed addition was added the full length of the center beam of the second floor. An enlarged kitchen and attached owners’ quarters were built in 1997. This renovation restored the ceilings to their original height, rebuilt new walls throughout, updated the cloth electrical wiring and installed all new infrastructures. The original woodwork was preserved and its finish restored. New woodwork was finished to match the old. The first floor retains its original flooring as do two of the upstairs bedrooms. The fireplace and the entry vestibule are new additions on the first floor. New to the second floor are the four modern bathrooms, two balconies, and enlarged sitting room with its imposing bay window.

In November 2003, Greg and Patrice Wisner of Kentwood, Michigan purchased the Inn to continue and improve operations as a Bed & Breakfast. In December 2003, an outdoor garden hot tub/Jacuzzi with main floor access was added as a guest amenity and individual dining tables made by a local woodworker replaced the single large dining table facilitating a breakfast time of the guests choosing. In an effort to provide family accommodations, in July 2006, the 2 story garage on the property was converted to a modern “Carriage House” rental for weekly guests. In June 2007, the downstairs bedroom was converted to a full time “Mini Spa” for guests to enjoy massage, manicures and pedicures by appointment with Patrice. Throughout their ownership, the Wisner’s have fully embraced the relaxing atmosphere of the area so valued by the guests.

Gracious and comfortable, the wall coverings, window treatments, furnishings, and accessories all combine to create a feeling of Art Nouveau freshness and ease. Antiques throughout the home contribute to the Edwardian elegance appropriate for such a fine 1910 home. Arcadia House Bed & Breakfast presents an excellent picture of gracious living in beautiful Northwest Michigan.