"Houppert Winery" LbNA #18976 (ARCHIVED)
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Add Location| Owner: | SunDawg  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Oct 29, 2005 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Lawton |
| County: | Van Buren |
| State: | Michigan |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Found by: | VBSP Bluegills |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Jun 20, 2012 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFFFFFFFm |
| Last edited: | Oct 29, 2005 |
Lawton, MI is located 3 miles south of I-94, (exit 60) on M-40 Highway.
The Lawton, Porter, and Paw Paw area is considered to be the "grape capitol" of VanBuren County.
The former Houppert Winery has been designated as a Michigan Historic Site, built in 1903.
The region's grape production peaked in 1939 when the Houppert Winery took in 200-400 TONS of grapes DAILY!!!
Unfortunately, the original winery was destroyed by fire, June 7, 1940. It was rebuilt, but was never as profitable. In 1943, Warner Vineyards of Paw Paw bought the property and operated the winery through the 1970's. In 1990, Lawton Lions Club purchased the winery and rehabilitated it as a Community Center and Museum.
Clues:
From downtown Lawton, look for the street name meaning you won an Olympic Silver medal. Travel East on that street to a street where you might buy plants or leave your children. Head back North, about 1/4 mile, just before the railroad tracks. On your right will be the driveway marked Community Center and Museum. A large brick building, nicely landscaped, with the signature Big Cats guarding the door. Follow the drive, look for Mother Nature's own big 'W' for 'Winery'. Houppert Winery Letterbox is in the crook, on the back side. Please re-hide well, covered with a few leaves but not tooooo many. I think the caretaker may have found this before and thrown it away.
After stamping, continue on around the building, retrace the directions back into town.
This 'box was replaced 07/15/2010 with a hand carved stamp! It's supposed to be a wine bottle, not a vase of flowers!! I'm still learning to carve!!
The Lawton, Porter, and Paw Paw area is considered to be the "grape capitol" of VanBuren County.
The former Houppert Winery has been designated as a Michigan Historic Site, built in 1903.
The region's grape production peaked in 1939 when the Houppert Winery took in 200-400 TONS of grapes DAILY!!!
Unfortunately, the original winery was destroyed by fire, June 7, 1940. It was rebuilt, but was never as profitable. In 1943, Warner Vineyards of Paw Paw bought the property and operated the winery through the 1970's. In 1990, Lawton Lions Club purchased the winery and rehabilitated it as a Community Center and Museum.
Clues:
From downtown Lawton, look for the street name meaning you won an Olympic Silver medal. Travel East on that street to a street where you might buy plants or leave your children. Head back North, about 1/4 mile, just before the railroad tracks. On your right will be the driveway marked Community Center and Museum. A large brick building, nicely landscaped, with the signature Big Cats guarding the door. Follow the drive, look for Mother Nature's own big 'W' for 'Winery'. Houppert Winery Letterbox is in the crook, on the back side. Please re-hide well, covered with a few leaves but not tooooo many. I think the caretaker may have found this before and thrown it away.
After stamping, continue on around the building, retrace the directions back into town.
This 'box was replaced 07/15/2010 with a hand carved stamp! It's supposed to be a wine bottle, not a vase of flowers!! I'm still learning to carve!!