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What do you think about McNally Cottage being demolished?
Historic McNally Cottage is owned by island hotelier Ira Green. He has been given permission to demolish the cottage to make way for a new hotel, but has indicated a willingness to help pay to have the home moved to a new location on the island.
What are your thoughts? Does the island need a new hotel? Should the city have rules in place to prevent the loss of historic structures that contribute to the historic status of the island? Should Mr. Green be able to move McNally Cottage from it's original location?
I ask only as a point of interest. It is not my intent to cause ill will toward fellow blog members, Mr. Green or the City Council. Perhaps something good can come from this discussion!
What are your thoughts? Does the island need a new hotel? Should the city have rules in place to prevent the loss of historic structures that contribute to the historic status of the island? Should Mr. Green be able to move McNally Cottage from it's original location?
I ask only as a point of interest. It is not my intent to cause ill will toward fellow blog members, Mr. Green or the City Council. Perhaps something good can come from this discussion!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lynne A. Price on
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So very sad... and I DO think the island/city should have rules in place to prevent the loss of historic structures that contribute to the historic status of the island... thats what is is all about!!!! I do feel McNally Cottage could be moved elsewhere on the island but whatever is planned for it's place should be approved by the island/city board and only if it "fits". Would be such a shame to bring all the ultra modern to the island. It would taken away from the island IMO. There is no other place on earth like the island, so unique, special! The words "demolish" and the "island" do not go hand-in-hand. Please continue to preserve Mackinac!
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Permalink Reply by Pat Steele on
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Being a loyal Mackinac visitor for 39 years, the island has changed due to construction of condos and new homes. I remember a time when you could not buy property or a home unless you had connections.
The historic charm will be lost and its well on its way. No, McNally cottage should remain, the island has enough hotels now.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Forrester on -
Thanks for your thoughts Joyce, Lynne and Pat. I think we are all curious as to how this will play out. I hope that if the cottage does not remain at it's current location, another location downtown can be found and the home moved - much like Small Point Cottage was moved years ago to it's current location. McNally Cottage is considered a 'contributing structure' to the island's historic landmark designation and certainly cannot be replaced.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Beth on -
This makes me so sad. When I was a child I use to go listen to Mrs. McNally play her piano, she was friends of the family and it's a shame that things are changing the way they are. I stayed in the cottage when my grandmothers home on the Island was being remodeled and it was nice, felt very " homey." Every time I walk past the cottage I think of her playing her piano.
My grandmother would be sick if she was alive today to hear this.. and to witness some of the modern changes. The Island is losing it's charm, the reason why peple come there. Anyone can go and see new build hotels.
I worry that as the years go by mroe and more people will sell out and let their historical homes go ... even our own family home that we have had for 109 years - Attachments:
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mcnally.jpg, 17 KB
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Permalink Reply by nick haan on -
from what I understand - nobody wants the cottage itself, so it will probably end up demolished. As a bed and breakfast owner - no question that the island is waaaay over built... oh well.
especially with the horrible michigan economy
regards
nhaan
Mike Forrester said:Thanks for your thoughts Joyce, Lynne and Pat. I think we are all curious as to how this will play out. I hope that if the cottage does not remain at it's current location, another location downtown can be found and the home moved - much like Small Point Cottage was moved years ago to it's current location. McNally Cottage is considered a 'contributing structure' to the island's historic landmark designation and certainly cannot be replaced.
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Permalink Reply by Janet Coyne on -
I too have stayed at McNally Cottage in past years. We felt at home when staying there. I really wish they would move the structure if possible. Main Street will not look the same without seeing the nice yard with lovely flowers bordering it. It beckoned to have someone to come sit in the shade and people watch on Main Street. Please consider letting island visitors make some new memories at McNally Cottage, even if it is in a different island location.
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Permalink Reply by Joyce K on -
After a recent ad in the Town Crier, my thoughts have changed about McNally cottage and Mr. Green. For that reason I felt I could no longer leave my previous post. The ad I feel is not with good intentions. I did get the chance to speak with someone that has knowledge of moving houses and they said that McNally cottage could not possibly be moved.
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Permalink Reply by Ellen Schneider on -
This house should NOT be demolished. I wasn't even happy when it was sold. I am actually related to the McNally family. As a B&B, it was run by my dad's second cousin. Have stayed there many times and the family stories she would tell us are amazing. We have old family videos from when my dad was a boy and the cottage was owned by his great aunt. The atmosphere of the cottage is the perfect getaway. You are right on Huron but yet it is so peaceful. The rooms were always unique and I loved how there were no TVs. It was a true getaway. The most peaceful thing in the world is sitting in the white wicker rocking chair on that beautiful porch early in the morning as you watch the streets being cleaned and the geese on the open yard across the street. Even sitting in the yard in the middle of a busy day was peaceful people watching. These are historical landmarks, both the lawn and the cottage. The island would never be the same for me as well as many others without these landmarks. I have included pictures from the last time I was up there, these are the memories I have. I would love to add more memories of the cottage, but not sure I'll get to now.
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Green Area.jpg, 3 KB
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Porch.jpg, 6 KB
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McNally House.jpg, 5 KB
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Permalink Reply by Joyce K on
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Thanks for sharing your story and pictures Ellen. The last couple years when I have rode my bike or walked past McNally cottage, all I can think is what a shame it would be to tear it down. Because the house has had additions put on it, it would not be able to be moved as well as the limited space on the street to relocate it and Ira Green has got to know that. It only tells you one thing, sadly it has got to be about money. I am guessing that Ira Green wants a bigger hotel that will bring in more dollars for him, not a little B&B. He obviously does not care about the historical value of it, which is sad. I am not very knowledgeable about historical buildings, but I thought that there was a way to declare a building a historical site, that way it's protected from being demolished, but I really don't know if that is so or who or how to go about it. It sure would be nice if that could be done to McNally cottage. I guess all we can do is pray that Ira Green has a change of heart and sells the property to someone that will restore the cottage and keep it or for him to restore it and open a B&B. That would be nice. I have a picture of my daughter by the grassy area back in September, 87. Back then we didn't have digital cameras, so I didn't snap away as I do today. Wish I had taken a picture of her looking out at the water to show the grassy area more, but here is the picture that I do have.
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Alison Mackinac 87.jpg, 99 KB
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Permalink Reply by Ellen Schneider on
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Very cute picture. I wish they had been able to keep the B&B going. Cousin who ran it wasn't getting any help from her siblings and it was getting too much for her so she had to sell. I hope Mr. Green does have a change of heart as well. Too beautiful a building to be destroyed.
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Permalink Reply by Joyce K on
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Mary Beth, thanks so much for sharing you memories of McNally cottage. This past summer when I was on the island and went past McNally cottage, I couldn't help but think of your story and imagine hearing that piano playing at one time and feel sad that it may end up being demolished. Let's hope and pray that that will not happen. Thank you as well for sharing all your pictures of your family and home on the island. What a treat to see those old pictures.
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