The History of Barothy Lodge 

West Michigan’s historic Barothy Lodge has changed from its beginnings as a hunting and fishing camp to a unique wilderness getaway.  Visitors from all over the country enjoy its facilities whether participating in outdoor activities or just savoring the peace and beauty of its surroundings.

Dr. Barothy was born and trained in Hungary and, as an adult, lived and practiced medicine in Chicago, Illinois.  In 1889, he purchased 65 acres of land on the Pere Marquette River approximately 25 miles East of the Lake Michigan shoreline of Northern Michigan.

Walhalla did not have a formal name back then, but was called Manistee Junction in order to designate a post office.  Local residents referred to the area as Merritt.  It was listed as such on state maps as late as 1909.

Dr. Barothy had a farmhouse and stable built on his land.  The land had previously been the site of a logging camp.  It was the area’s leading logging camp and, as such, had the only telephone around.  It was believed to be the only telephone in the county.

Dr. Barothy’s plan was to raise medicinal herbs from his native country of Hungary.  In 1910 Barothy had 3 tons of fruit trees, grape vines, and other vegetation shipped to the United States.  The vegetation was hauled to his farm by means of horse and wagon.

While a farm building was under construction, some mineral springs were found on the South bank of the river.  This gave Dr. Barothy the idea of developing a health spa, since spas were very popular at the time.  The doctor soon proposed the Native American word of Walhalla, which means “Haven of Rest”.  At the time there was much controversy regarding the name change, but since you do drive here on Walhalla Road, it’s obvious that the name stuck.

Legend has it that a Tom Kirkman became very thirsty one day while working on the stable.  He had heard of the mineral springs and their “healing properties”.  He figured that he might as well have a drink.  He grabbed a tin pail and filled it with water from the spring.  The next day he became very sick.  When he returned to work, he noticed that the pail he had used to gather the water was now hanging on the stable wall and half the tin had been corroded off by the water.  What Mr. Kirkman didn’t realize was that the mineral salts had reacted with the lead used to coat the pail.  This caused the pail to disintegrate.  It seems likely that Mr. Kirkman no longer had much confidence in the “healing properties” of the mineral springs.  The doctor however realized that the mineral salt taken in small quantities and not mixed with lead had certain health benefits (similar to using Epsom Salt in water today).

In 1915 the doctor had his farmhouse remodeled into the building now known as Main Lodge.  It was completed with six bedrooms, a large dining area and a restaurant kitchen.  The lodge was opened 1 year after construction had begun.  Dr. Barothy started sending his patients to the lodge to relax, bathe in the river, and drink from the mineral springs. Much as it is today, the lodge also provided opportunities to fish, hunt, hike, play horseshoes, canoe, and socialize.  It became very popular and people traveled here from all over the United States as well as from other countries.

The Pere Marquette River that flows around the lodge made the area a great place to fish.  Brown, Rainbow, and Brook Trout were in abundance for the fishermen who frequented the lodge.  Wildlife, particularly deer, were also here in great numbers.  This was very appealing to hunters.

Other buildings were constructed, the largest of which was Long House.  At that time, Long House had 22 bedrooms, a lounge, and what were probably the first indoor toilet facilities North of Newaygo, Michigan.

The doctor turned over operation of the lodge to his two sons Fred and Vic.  As time passed, the focus of the lodge changed from health retreat to recreation—fishing on the Pere Marquette River being the main attraction.

In 1951, Vic, looking for a warmer winter, decided to open a resort in the Florida Keys.  One month before it was open, a hurricane completely wiped “Barothy South” right off the map.  Vic decided to try again and rebuilt on the Isle of the Pines in Cuba.  The resort became world famous for its Bone and Tarpon fishing.

The Cuban Revolution took place in 1958 and Vic got along with Fidel Castro and the new government.  In 1962 the United States invaded Cuba at the Bay of Pigs and Vic’s “arrangement” with the Cuban government was terminated.  The Cubans decided that it was no longer appropriate for American tourists and fishermen to come to Cuba.

Vic took his fleet of fishing boats to British Honduras (now Belize) and built another resort on the Belize River. Vic and his wife Betty (a once famous silent movie starlet) managed Barothy South while Fred and his wife Louise ran the operation in Michigan.

In 1965 both Fred and Louise passed away and the Michigan property was sold to the current owners, the Hall family.

The grounds of Barothy Lodge have expanded from its original 65 acres and 3 buildings to over 300 acres and 15 buildings today.  The units range from one to nine bedrooms, have fully equipped kitchens, most with pool tables and Jacuzzis.  On the grounds you will find seven stocked fishing ponds, Sika Deer, many rare birds, turkey, ornamental pheasants, and waterfowl including swans and ornamental ducks.

A children’s playground, a swimming pool, tennis courts, shuffleboard, horseshoes, volleyball and basketball courts provide a wide variety of enjoyable vacation activities.  There are also many trails for mountain biking, hiking, cross country skiing as well as facilities for tubing, canoeing, and other river related activities.

Barothy lodge is no longer just a hunting and fishing camp.  From its original rustic beginnings many years ago, it has become an all-encompassing outdoor recreation and family vacation facility.  People from all walks of life visit the historic resort and many return yearly, becoming more like family than visitors.  With all of the changes that have been made, its unique rustic charm continues to entice.