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Event

Historical Society advances Print Shop restoration and opens a miniature golf course, 1957

Also 1957 Beaver Island Print Shop restoration plan · 1957 Print Shop miniature golf project

Draft — sources verified, prose evolving

Locator map: Beaver Island highlighted within the Beaver Island archipelago
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TypeEvent
Dates1957-05 – 1957-11
WithinBeaver Island
ErasModern era
On this page
Locator map: Beaver Island highlighted within the Beaver Island archipelago
Took place at Beaver IslandLocator plate © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0); depths NOAA; names USGS GNIS. How the plates are drawn.
Event
Dates
1957-05 – 1957-11
Kind
Construction
Where
Beaver Island
Carried out by
Beaver Island Historical Society
Eras
Modern era
Concepts
heritagehistoriographyconstructiontourismeconomycommunicationcommunity
Within
Beaver Island

Summary

Beginning in May 1957, the Beaver Beacon tracked the Beaver Island Historical Society’s campaign to restore the Strang Print Shop as a museum, financed partly by a miniature golf course built beside it. The Society itself had formed in September 1955, after R. P. Hoffman and A. J. Roy bought the building; the 1957 restoration push — a Civic Association down payment, a new foundation and roof, and the golf course’s construction — was the middle stage of a project that ran from the 1955 purchase to the museum’s opening in August 1959.

History

Founding, 1955

R. P. Hoffman and A. J. Roy purchased the “Old Mormon Print Shop” and, with the Beaver Island Civic Association, organized the Historical Society in September 1955. The founding board was Hoffman (president), Dr. H. F. Vail (vice-president), Vera Wogan (secretary-treasurer), A. J. Roy, Jewell Gillespie, Lawrence Malley, and Dave Wilson as attorney, with research, membership, publicity, and public-relations committees named the same month.1 At a November 11 meeting drawing 41 people, Hoffman pledged $500 and the property’s deed to the Society, read a supportive letter from Michigan Historical Society executive secretary Dr. Lewis Beeson, and proposed the Print Shop (dated to about 1853), Dr. Protar’s home (1893), and Bishop Baraga’s Indian Chapel (1832) for registration with the Michigan Historical Commission. An inspection committee recommended removing the building’s front porch and north-side addition, and the Society estimated the full interior and exterior restoration at $10,000. Since the Mormon era the property had passed through owners including Mrs. Julia Gibson Sr., Joe Burke, Bub Burke, Mike Cull, and Bud Loft.2

Restoration and golf course, 1957-1958

In May 1957 the Beacon carried Hoffman’s appeal for donations to level and reroof the building, renew memberships, and complete the museum restoration, alongside Roy and Hoffman’s plan for a miniature golf course and public rest rooms on the property to help finance the work.3 That July, a $500 Civic Association donation let the Society take formal title to the property; restoration work was under way under Roy’s direction, with a cement pillar foundation in place and the golf course still planned.4 In August, the Society appealed for Building Fund donations, raffled a Scott-Atwater 10 HP outboard motor and an RCA Yachtsman radio for Labor Day, and expected nine golf holes ready by Homecoming, with nine more and restrooms to follow.5 The course opened August 11, 1957, and Hoffman donated his own Labor Day outboard-motor prize back to the Society.6 By October the Print Shop stood on its new foundation with the roof repaired, and Dave Wilson received a life membership for his legal service; that November the Society advertised the donated outboard for sale at $250 at Dick’s Store.78

The work continued into 1958. A $500 grant from the County Board of Supervisors went toward the roof, and the outboard sale notice kept running.9 The golf course opened for its second season on June 21, 1958, again under Roy, as the roof was finished and windows installed, with plans for a first-floor museum opening once complete; a “Historical Society Park,” with picnic tables and a hot-dog stand, was planned between the Print Shop and the course.10 That August the Beacon corrected an earlier report: the golf course, named “Harbor Fills,” was privately owned and operated by Roy and Hoffman, not the Society, though they pledged a share of its earnings to it; rates were 25 cents for children under 14 on weekday afternoons and 35 cents otherwise.11 Volunteers Nelson Pike, Alvin LaFreniere, Karl Kuebler, Dr. Gaunt of Cleveland, and Walter Wogan’s crew are credited with restoration labor and donations that September, and an August 30 auction at Holy Cross Hall raised $85.81 toward the work, with the long-advertised outboard finally won by Murray Wanty of Ann Arbor.1213 By October 1958 the roof and paint job were finished, with a museum opening planned “by next season.”13

Museum opening, 1959

The interior work was finished in early July 1959, with A. J. Roy, Grace Cole, and Vera Wojan collecting loaned historical items for display; the golf course was reported “well frequented” that summer under Roy’s management.14 The museum opened August 8, 1959; a Civic Association benefit produced $217.65 for the Society, and donors including Mrs. Ward Bennett sent items — an eagle and ship’s instruments — for the collection.15

Significance

The restoration converted a Mormon-era building — one of the few structures on the island tied directly to James Jesse Strang’s 1850s settlement — into the island’s first dedicated history museum, and did so through a nearly four-year, largely self-financed campaign that combined direct fundraising with a privately run tourist attraction pledging a share of its profits to the cause. The August 1958 correction distinguishing the Society’s project from Roy and Hoffman’s personally owned golf course is itself evidence of how closely intertwined local heritage work and private island business could be in this period.

Evidence and limits

This is a restoration appeal followed by progress reports, a related project plan, and (in 1959) an opening notice. It does not provide a deed, completed title-transfer record, construction drawings, cost ledger, course plan, raffle records, or a complete financial accounting. The October 1957 wording does not establish the precise identity of the foundation work credited to that date, and the November 1957 sale notice does not by itself establish a completed sale — that is only confirmed by the October 1958 auction report naming Murray Wanty as the outboard’s winner. No source held here gives a Michigan Historical Commission registration record for the three 1955-proposed sites, confirms the property’s full chain of title, or documents whether the “Historical Society Park” between the Print Shop and the golf course was ever built as planned.

Open questions

  • Were the Print Shop, Dr. Protar’s home, and the Indian Chapel ever formally registered with the Michigan Historical Commission, as proposed in 1955?
  • What is the full chain of title from the Mormon era through Hoffman and Roy’s 1955 purchase, and when (if ever) did title pass formally to the Society?
  • Was the “Historical Society Park” between the Print Shop and the golf course built, and how long did the “Harbor Fills” golf course operate?
  • What happened to the Print Shop museum and its loaned collection after 1959?

See also

Footnotes

  1. Beaver Beacon, September 1955, “Beaver Island Historical Society Is Formed.” ↩

  2. Beaver Beacon, December 1955, Historical Society meeting report. ↩

  3. Beaver Beacon, May 1957, “B. I. Historical Society” and “Fore by 2.” ↩

  4. Beaver Beacon, July 1957, “B. I. Historical Society.” ↩

  5. Beaver Beacon, August 1957, “Beaver Island Historical Society” and “Golf? Of Course.” ↩

  6. Beaver Beacon, September 1957, “Beaver Island Historical Society.” ↩

  7. Beaver Beacon, October 1957, “Life Membership in B. I. Historical Society.” ↩

  8. Beaver Beacon, November 1957, “B. I. Historical Society.” ↩

  9. Beaver Beacon, April 1958, Historical Society notice. ↩

  10. Beaver Beacon, June 1958, “Beaver Island Historical Society” and “B.I. Historical Society Park.” ↩

  11. Beaver Beacon, August 1958, Historical Society and golf course notices. ↩

  12. Beaver Beacon, September 1958, Historical Society notice. ↩

  13. Beaver Beacon, October 1958, Historical Society auction report. ↩ ↩2

  14. Beaver Beacon, July 1959, “Old Yet New” and “Activities Increasing.” ↩

  15. Beaver Beacon, August 1959, “Museum to Open Soon,” “Thanks…Thanks,” and “Items for Museum.” ↩

Sources

  1. A retrospective discussion recalls Harbor Hills miniature golf, says A. J. and Mabel Roy operated it, and offers an unverified memory that the course helped fund restoration of the Mormon Print Shop; later replies discuss a move and possible operators near the Hardware store. The held 1957 Beacon remains stronger for the documented plan and opening, and the forum recollections do not establish exact dates, ownership, location, or financing.
    forum · www.beaverislandforum.com · 07 · t007118
  2. Reports President R. P. Hoffmann’s appeal for support to level the Strang Print Shop building and install a new roof, renew memberships, acquire the Printing House property, and restore it as a museum. It also reports A. J. Roy and R. P. Hoffmann’s plan for a miniature golf course behind the property, with public rest rooms, to help finance the Historical Society. The report does not provide a deed, construction plan, cost ledger, completed work, or project result. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1957-05_Beaver-Beacon
  3. The held five-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the restoration appeal and miniature-golf plan; it does not expand the property, construction, or financial record.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1957-05_Beaver-Beacon
  4. Reports a $500 Civic Association donation as a down payment on the Strang Print Shop, making it possible to place the property in the Historical Society’s name; restoration work was under way under A. J. Roy’s direction, with a cement pillar foundation added, and a miniature golf course planned behind the building. It does not provide a deed, payment record, construction ledger, completed title transfer, or finished project. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1957-07_Beaver-Beacon
  5. The held three-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the reported donation, restoration work, foundation, and miniature-golf plan; it does not expand the property or completion record.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1957-07_Beaver-Beacon
  6. Reports a Building Fund Drive for the Print Shop restoration, a Labor Day drawing of a Scott Atwater 10 HP outboard motor and an RCA Yachtsman radio, and a miniature golf course with nine holes expected to be ready by Homecoming Sunday; nine more holes and restroom facilities were planned. It does not provide donation totals, raffle records, a deed, construction plans, completion of the restoration, or the later drawing result. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1957-08_Beaver-Beacon
  7. The held four-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the restoration appeal, prize drawing, and miniature-golf progress; it does not expand the property, construction, or financial record.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1957-08_Beaver-Beacon
  8. Reports that the BIHS miniature-golf course opened August 11 and separately says R. P. Hoffmann donated his Labor Day outboard-motor prize to the Society. It does not provide a construction ledger, course plan, restoration completion record, deed, or value or disposition record for the donated prize. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1957-09_Beaver-Beacon
  9. The held four-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the reported miniature-golf opening and prize donation; it does not expand the property, construction, or financial record.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1957-09_Beaver-Beacon
  10. Reports that Dave Wilson received a Historical Society life membership for legal service, and that the Print Shop was on its own foundation with the roof repaired. It does not provide the membership record, legal-service file, deed, construction ledger, architectural plan, or completed restoration record. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1957-10_Beaver-Beacon
  11. The held two-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the life-membership, foundation, and roof-repair notice; it does not expand the property, construction, or financial record.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1957-10_Beaver-Beacon
  12. Reports Alvin Olson and Joe Dillingham as new or contributing members and says the 10 HP Scott-Atwater outboard donated by R. P. Hoffmann was for sale by the Society for $250 at Dick’s Store. It does not provide membership records, a sale receipt, title, or later disposition. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1957-11_Beaver-Beacon
  13. The held four-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the membership and outboard-sale notice; it does not expand the Society’s financial or property record.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1957-11_Beaver-Beacon
  14. Reports that the Print Shop restoration was intended to produce a museum opening on August 8, a Civic Association benefit produced $217.65, and Mrs. Ward Bennett sent an eagle and ship instruments. It does not provide a deed, collection inventory, benefit ledger, or opening attendance record. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1959-08_Beaver-Beacon
  15. The held five-page issue PDF is paired with the canonical OCR source and confirms the museum, benefit, and artifact notices; it does not expand the restoration or collection record.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1959-08_Beaver-Beacon
  16. Reports that R. P. Hoffman and A. J. Roy purchased the Old Mormon Print Shop and, with the Civic Association, organized the Historical Society; names the founding board (Hoffman president, Dr. H. F. Vail vice-president, Vera Wogan secretary-treasurer, A. J. Roy, Jewell Gillespie, Lawrence Malley, Dave Wilson as attorney) and its committees. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1955-09_Beaver-Beacon
  17. Reports the Society's November 11, 1955 meeting (41 attending), Hoffman's pledge of $500 and the property deed, an inspection committee's recommendation to remove the Print Shop's front porch and north-side addition, a $10,000 total restoration estimate, sites proposed for Michigan Historical Commission registration (the Print Shop, Dr. Protar's home, and Bishop Baraga's Indian Chapel), and a chain of post-Mormon owners of the property (Mrs. Julia Gibson Sr., Joe Burke, Bub Burke, Mike Cull, Bud Loft). The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1955-12_Beaver-Beacon
  18. Repeats the outboard-motor sale notice and reports a $500 grant received from the County Board of Supervisors toward the roof. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1958-04_Beaver-Beacon
  19. Reports the miniature golf course beginning its 1958 season June 21 under A. J. Roy, the Print Shop roof being covered and windows installed with a first-floor museum opening planned once complete, and a planned "Historical Society Park" with picnic tables and a hot-dog stand between the Print Shop and the golf course. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1958-06_Beaver-Beacon
  20. Reports the new roof and windows completed and landscaping planned before Homecoming; corrects an earlier Beacon error, stating the miniature golf course, named "Harbor Fills," was privately owned and operated by A. J. Roy and R. C. Hoffmann, not the Society, though they pledged a share of its earnings to it; and gives the course's rates (25 cents for under-14s on weekday afternoons, 35 cents regular). The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1958-08_Beaver-Beacon
  21. Thanks Nelson Pike, Alvin LaFreniere, Karl Kuebler, Dr. Gaunt of Cleveland, and Walter Wogan and his crew for restoration labor and donations, and notes continuing funding needs. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1958-09_Beaver-Beacon
  22. Reports an August 30, 1958 auction at Holy Cross Hall that raised $85.81 for the restoration, with the donated outboard motor won by Murray Wanty of Ann Arbor; says the Print Shop had a new roof and paint job, with plans to open as a museum "by next season." The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1958-10_Beaver-Beacon
  23. Reports the Print Shop museum's interior finishing planned for the first weekend of July 1959, with A. J. Roy, Grace Cole, and Vera Wojan collecting loaned historical items; and describes the miniature golf course as "well frequented" that summer under Roy's management. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1959-07_Beaver-Beacon
  24. The held issue PDF is paired with the canonical OCR Markdown source and preserves the issue-level provenance for this cited report or comparison.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1955-09_Beaver-Beacon
  25. The held issue PDF is paired with the canonical OCR Markdown source and preserves the issue-level provenance for this cited report or comparison.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1955-12_Beaver-Beacon
  26. The held issue PDF is paired with the canonical OCR Markdown source and preserves the issue-level provenance for this cited report or comparison.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1958-04_Beaver-Beacon
  27. The held issue PDF is paired with the canonical OCR Markdown source and preserves the issue-level provenance for this cited report or comparison.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1958-06_Beaver-Beacon
  28. The held issue PDF is paired with the canonical OCR Markdown source and preserves the issue-level provenance for this cited report or comparison.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1958-08_Beaver-Beacon
  29. The held issue PDF is paired with the canonical OCR Markdown source and preserves the issue-level provenance for this cited report or comparison.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1958-09_Beaver-Beacon
  30. The held issue PDF is paired with the canonical OCR Markdown source and preserves the issue-level provenance for this cited report or comparison.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1958-10_Beaver-Beacon
  31. The held issue PDF is paired with the canonical OCR Markdown source and preserves the issue-level provenance for this cited report or comparison.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1959-07_Beaver-Beacon

Added 3 August 2026. Recent changes

Cite this article

Beaver Island Archive, “Historical Society advances Print Shop restoration and opens a miniature golf course, 1957”, https://beaverislandarchive.org/events/beaver-island-historical-society-print-shop-restoration-and-miniature-golf-plan-1957/, accessed [date], citing Joyce, Jacquel, Gillespie, and other participants, "Miniature Golf Course/ Palm Reading," Beaver Island Forum, January 14–17, 2014. (and 30 further sources listed on the page).

Last revised 2026-08-03. Fill in [date] with the date you read it — this page is static and cannot know that.

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