This lovingly maintained Empire Centennial Farm includes 127 feet of private frontage, with dock and boathouse, on South Bar Lake and rests on two acres. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan is blocks away. Master carpenter Burr Getman, who constructed the D.H. Day barn and several area homes, was the original builder of this two-story, three-bedroom farmhouse and two-story 17'x24' carriage house. A complete renovation in 1993 added a master bedroom which opens to the deck, a second basement, and also architecturally enlarged the kitchen and bathroom. A beautiful 22'x15' sunporch was added for outdoor enjoyment with indoor comfort. The living room features a wood burning fireplace and built-in entertainment center and bookcases. Kitchen highlights include cherry wood cabinets, granite counters, a snack bar and built-in desk, and a doorway to the expansive deck with lake views. A fully equipped cottage apartment with attached garage-currently used as an artist studio-was added in 2001. The cottage features a tongue and groove white cedar interior. The cedar-shake boathouse offers additional sleeping quarters. The grounds include more than 40 species of native plants, trees and shrubs catalogued by a botanist. Among them are a forest of pine, cedar, balsam, cherry and birch. A meadow offers horseshoe pits, a natural area for badminton, apple trees, raspberries, grapes and quince plus herb, vegetable and flower gardens. Empire village amenities include parks, beaches, restaurants, and shops.
