The Wigwam Hotel: Paw Paw Lake's Most "Luxurious"

Built in 1898 by Captain Lyman and Sarah Feltus, the Wigwam Hotel was two stories high, boasted a double-decker veranda and the most “luxurious” accommodations on Paw Paw Lake. Each of the 35 rooms opened directly onto the veranda so that guests could stroll or sit and visit in view of the lake. The dramatic vistas of Paw Paw Lake gave the effect that the porches virtually hung in the tree tops. A dining room known as the Knotty Pine was also built across the street.



The property was two of 124 parcels, known as Edgewater Glen, which Mr. Feltus developed and sold in 1905 to Ella Reed and Freeman Gross, who incorporated it into the Wigwam Hotel Co. Inc., and built an annex next door to increase their guest capacity to over 120 guests. The property remained in the Gross family for 25 years before a series of owners operated it as a resort in the summer months up until 1962. During its heyday in the 1930s the Wigwam dining room had a seating capacity of 100 and was open to the public. Hotel employees included a chef from Alabama that specialized in southern cooking and an African American porter who greeted guests upon their arrival. A private beach, large pier, and hot and cold running water in every room were just some of the guest amenities. The hotel was a well known special event location for Coloma and Watervliet over the years hosting meetings, receptions, and parties.

In 1963 the property was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. George Erlich, who over the years renovated the hotel into a home. Although Knotty Pine burned down in the 1970s, the Wigwam remained well maintained as a private residence. According to Mr. Erlich the Wigwam was “just a shell” when they purchased it in 1963, but was restored, including using the hotel post office box for tool storage. Under the Erlich ownership the Wigwam became the lake children’s “headquarters.” Mrs. Erlich once recalled 35 children sleeping on the floor in front of the fireplace, which boasted a rock from every state in the union. The Erlichs also built a stage and life-size teepee in their attic for the children to use. Austin and Jean Stanton purchased the home in 1986 keeping its historic character intact. The former Wigwam Hotel and Annex were both destroyed by fire on November 26, 2010.