203 S Main Street

You just can't get any closer to the center of Leland. The historic home at 203 South Main St is composed of 3 buildings joined together into one house. The front two rooms on two floors are the oldest, built in the 1850s, making it one of the oldest buildings in Leland. By the mid-1860s, the oldest portion served as offices for the Leland & Lake Superior Iron Company. Sometime after the iron company went bankrupt in 1884, the building was used as a private home and was expanded by joining two existing buildings to it. Before 1900, the home was occupied by Mary Possing Prause (b 1856 - d 1959), who operated it as a rooming house, The Garden Inn, named for Mary's extensive and renowned gardens. During this time, the first indoor bathroom in Leland was installed, paid for by a wealthy guest who refused to use the outhouse during his lengthy stay while having a grand beach house built nearby. The home remained in the family until it was purchased in 1987 by the current owner, who completely renovated and restored it. Recent Improvements During the past 3 years, the roof, the well, gas furnace, hot water heater, and refrigerator have been replaced.