Granot Loma

The rambling rustic private lodge of banker Louis Kaufman rivals any Adirondack camp in its expense (an estimated $2 million spent over four years from 1919 to 1923), its size (the L-shaped main building is 215' by 300'), and its attention to detail. There are 60 fireplaces, one resembling a birchbark tipi. Concrete and steel attach the house to a granite outcrop at Lake Superior's edge, but the surface materials are natural - primitive and hand finished: rubbed spruce logs, bark wall coverings of birch and cedar, local fieldstone, and slate from the Arvon slate quarry in the Huron Mountains near L'Anse. Indian motifs, Navajo rugs, and bright colors (oranges, greens, yellows, reds, and black and white) reflected Kaufman's pride in his Indian ancestry. His father, a Jewish immigrant who fared well in the clothing business in Marquette, married the daughter of a French trader and Ojibwa woman. Granot Loma is named for the first initials of Louis and Marie Kaufman's children: GRaveraet, ANna, OTto, LOuis, and MArie.
Granot Loma can be seen from the water, but not from a public road. Trespassing is strictly forbidden. However, anyone can take Loma Farms Road past the barns, stable, creamery, pheasant house, manager's house, and office of Kaufman's showplace Loma Farms, originally devoted to raising prize cattle. Outsiders can go no farther than the fanciful, colorful postmodern/Native American security gate installed by the current owner, Chicago commodities broker Tom Baldwin - unless they want to plunk down a very hefty fee ($10,000 a day for ten or fewer people, $20,000 for 15 to 20 in 2005). In that case, they can use the hiking trails, fishing stream, a fleet of ATVs, jet skis, mountain bikes, and more. Note: the original furnishings were mostly auctioned off years ago.

Visit Tom Baldwin's www.granotloma.com for many beautiful photos and interesting promotional copy about the connections of this "mystic lakeside estate" with creativity and business success. For instance, the web site states, "Great ideas are rarely conceptualized in a sterile conference room. In fact, many of the best business moves were born out of casual conversations with business partners over a drink with the scent of a fine cigar hanging in the air. Throughout its history, Granot Loma has provided the inspiration for some of our nation's lifestyle-altering ideas [such as branch banking]. Louis G. Kaufman, a well-respected businessman with diverse interests, no doubt found solace at this Lake Superior lodge -- away from the hectic cities where he formally conducted his business. . . . Discover what a Granot Loma experience will do for your business.

Loma Farms Road is off CR 550 about 7 miles past the parking area for Little Presque Isle.

Return to On the Way to Big Bay

Best of the Best U.P. Maps

Incredibly Useful!
Hunt's Map Guide to the Upper Peninsula • Favorite hikes, beaches, restaurants, shops, lighthouses, scenic drives, waterfalls, & much more
• 13 detailed U.P. maps
• Full color, on sturdy, water-resistant paper
• Folds out to 12”x38”
• Only $6.95
To learn more & buy online, click here