The Maple Lane Resort, has left it’s mark on the hearts of many owners over the years.

Here is a brief history of the families and caretakers who have made the Inn what it is today.

At the turn of the 20th century the Main Victorian house was built by George Dorsey (son of Glen Arbor founder). In 1954 the Dorsey’s son-in-law, Charles Hodge, built a five room hotel on the estate. The next 5 rooms were added ad hoc, as the story goes. A friend of the young Mr. Hodge owned Grand Traverse Concrete Company in Traverse City. He would often visit him at the special property overlooking the Sleeping Bear Dunes. On his frequent trips to Empire his pal would bring concrete blocks that were leftover from the yard. After enough blocks had been accumulated 5 additional rooms were built on the lower level. But Mr. Hodge wasn’t the only industrious frugalite in the household. Charles’ wife was quite famous for her chicken pot pies, which she would sell to guests and each spring she carried on the tradition of boiling down maple syrup on their 80 acres which contained more than 3,500 maple trees!