Century-old Christmastime at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse paired with our remembrance of Northport just a few months past!

Lighthouse Christmas memories, depression glass, tea and salt cellars.

A century ago, the McCormick clan celebrated Christmas at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse in a setting worthy of a Currier and Ives print. As the workplace of Innkeeper, James McCormick as well as his home along with wife, Mary, and their eight children, traditions of the holiday continued despite the unique abode. On Christmas Eve, the younger members of the family would craft gifts in the dining room while James monitored both the weather and the fireplace and Mary popped corn in a cast iron pan on the kitchen stove. 

Grand Traverse Lighthouse.

These memories were reprinted last week, courtesy, MyNorth.Com  from a book written by Betty McCormick Olli, the second youngest child of James and Mary ("The Way it Was: Memories of My Childhood at Grand Traverse Lighthouse", Lighthouse Publications, 1990).  It brought back memories for us, too, but much more recent ones. We visited the Grand Traverse Lighthouse only three months ago and not only climbed the very, very narrow stairs to the top, but had the opportunity to view many of the McCormick's personal possessions that Betty wrote about, including her mother's depression glass, prized Haviland china, reserved for guests and special occasions, and a set of porcelain canisters for sugar, coffee and tea housed on mirrored shelves (and we do believe we spotted a set of glass salt cellars!)

We also purchased the Grand Traverse Lighthouse souvenir book while there and it provides more information on the McCormicks, other innkeepers and lighthouse details.

Shelf filled with porcelain cannisters for sugar, coffee and tea. And, perhaps, salt cellars!

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse, a museum since 1987, is located in Northport at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. It's a cozy place filled with vintage charm and incredible views of the bay, which, if it was a VRBO today you'd pay dearly for. But, in that same lens, in the time of the McCormick's occupancy, the lighthouse home lacked many modern conveniences that would convince me to keep looking, especially the outdoor facilities. In the winter months, the route to the privy might mean facing an obstacle path constructed of several feet of snow. 

Kitchen stove where popcorn would be popped.

Dining room hutch holds Haviland china.

         

But, for all the challenges of living in a remote area of northern Michigan, hours of chores were rewarded with fun adventures in the woods and warm days in the lake.  

Very, very narrow staircase to the top.

Here, it's the destination - not the journey. 

And, at Christmastime, it meant a freshly cut tree decorated with candles, a warm fire, some tasty treats from kitchen, and, perhaps, a cup of tea. 

The climb is worth the view.

Scenic views abound at Grand Traverse Lighthouse

Wherever you spend the holidays, from our house to yours, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Seasons Greetings and a Joyous New Year!

For more information on this Northport lighthouse, see their website: Home - Grand Traverse Lighthouse

To purchase The Grand Traverse Lighthouse book, shop at Grand Traverse Lighthouse book - Grand Traverse Lighthouse

For more on the story of the McCormicks, see MyNorth.Com. (original article: 12/2/21)