Houppert Winery - Lawton, MI
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member cldisme
N 42° 10.471 W 085° 50.440
16T E 595751 N 4669803
A brief history of the winery and grape industry in and around Lawton, Michigan.
Waymark Code: WM6TPD
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 07/19/2009
Published By:Groundspeak Charter Member Scook
Views: 15
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Behind the Lawton Heritage Community Center & Museum, visitors will find this historical marker describing the history and events behind this building and the early wine making industry in the Lawton area.
Historical Name: William C. Houppert

Description:
Houppert Winery Grape growing began in Lawton in 1868 when A.B. Jones planted one hundred vines. By 1900 many eastern Van Buren County farmers converted their land to vineyards. In 1903 the Lawton Vineyard Company built a winery on this site, which William C. Houppert purchased in 1933. The regions grape production peaked in 1939. During the harvest the Houppert Winery took in two to four hundred tons of grapes daily. On June 7, 1940 Houpperts's prosperity ended when fire destroyed the complex. Houppert rebuilt the winery, but he never recovered financially. In 1943 he sold the he sold the property to the predecessor of the Warner Vineyards of Paw Paw, which operated the winery through the 1970s. In 1990 the Lawton Lions Club purchased the winery and rehabilitated it as a community center and a museum.

Parking nearby?: yes

D/T ratings:

website: [Web Link]

Registered Site #: 2017

Historical Date: Not listed
Visit Instructions:
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Recent Visits/Logs:
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bobfrapples8 visited Houppert Winery - Lawton, MI 03/13/2023 bobfrapples8 visited it
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Historic Markers visited Houppert Winery - Lawton, MI 09/26/2014 Historic Markers visited it
Team_Fitz visited Houppert Winery - Lawton, MI 12/08/2009 Team_Fitz visited it

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