Bower’s Harbor Inn rests on Old Mission Peninsula in northern Michigan, just by Traverse City. The building consists of two restaurants: The Bower’s Harbor Inn and The Bowery. Michigan’s Otherside visited Bower’s Harbor Inn in 2006 and because we are poor (large cash donations welcome), we ate at the least expensive one, The Bowery. The food was excellent as was the service. The highlight of the evening was when I dropped a knife, bent down to pick it up as did the person next to me and our heads met and made a thwack that sounded like two pool balls hitting each other at full speed. One of those awkward silences filled the room for ten seconds because it was seriously “that” loud. Everyone started to chuckle and stare at us. We looked around the room and gave the thumbs up to show we were still somewhat conscience.

Sadly, the only spirits we ran into while visiting Bower’s Harbor Inn was an excellent bottle of Pino Grigio made by Bower’s Harbor Inn. After splitting a bottle of that, we were well on our way to a good night.

 

 

A Mirror and the Ghost Who Appears In It

Just about every owner of this beautiful old home has reported paranormal occurrences over the years. The usual sounds of raps on walls, doors opening and closing, lights going on and off by themselves and objects moving on their own are all common place in the Bower’s Harbor Inn.

It’s believed that one of the home’s first owners, J. W. Stickney, a lumber baron and his wife Genevive still haunt their former home. Some have reported coming face to face with the ghostly body of J.W. Stickney in the home elevator. Others have reported seeing Genevive in a mirror that belonged to her. Genevive was a larger woman and the mirror was specially designed to make her appear slimmer when she looked at her reflection.

According to The Bower’s Inn website, Genevive hung herself in the elevator shaft. Her husband had been having an affair with Genevive’s nurse and when he died, left his money to the nurse and just the house to Genevive, which put her into a severe depression.

 

If you have visited the Bower’s Harbor Inn and have stories of your own to share, write us and tell us your tales!

 

• If you have photos of the Inn, let us know. I lost all of my photos during a computer mishap. We’d love to have some to post and full photo credit will be given.