Thursday, September 16, 2010

Bahlke House named Historical Site


The residence of Rob Cook & Maria Bruno, known locally as the Bahlke House, has been named a historical site by the Gratiot County Historical Society. Built in 1907, the 6,000 sq ft 3-story tudor was constructed as the residence of Wm and Mary Bahlke. Bahlke was a lawyer, farmer, postmaster, and village president. In addition to playing central roles in the startups of a bank and several important manufacturing concerns, Bahlke was a major benefactor of Alma College. He donated the land still used as Bahlke Field and his widow built a stadium there. Mary also started Alma's first library in a storefront. When she died, the Bahlke House was bequeathed to the city and it became the public library with meeting rooms for women's clubs. A residence since 1974, Cook & Bruno have lived in the Bahlke House since 1996.

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