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It was a cool, brisk late autum day as our van headed down the hill known as River Road in Newaygo. That's when I saw it, sitting there atop the hill, just catching a glimpse here and there. It seemed to play peek-a-boo with me through the trees that had shed their leaves for the winter. The old wrought iron gate hung crooked with a chain hanging across the drive, foreboding yet welcoming at the same time.
I asked my husband to pull aside of the road. i had to see this up close for myself. he waited in the vn with our three children, as I walked alone up the drive to the house on the hill. I was enchanted and immediately fell in love with this home. Although it was boarded up and one could not look into the windows, I knew then I must know more about this house. An old 1930's logging truck was still parked on the property. Even the old outhouse still stood, all waiting for the touch of a family to once again make it a home.
Back at the van my husband was calling to me. when I reached the van he proceeded to tell me why he was calling me. My oldest son was quite upset; he told his father that I must come back to the van NOW. "Something bad happened here dad", he said. In the warmth of our van my son explained how "he" a voice told him of a family and the "bad things" that had happened there. It was then I knew finding this home was not by chance, and I must know the history of the old brick home.
After my first encounter I began nosing around and learned that the hill had been named "Whiskey Wood Hill". There were many stories surrounding this old home. they ranged from; a sad heart broken woman hanging herself from the grand stairway baluster, a man that enticed young girls there to have "his way" with them and then snuffing out their young lives, an old man who loved his whiskey and would roll the empty bottles down the hill, to a mysterious woman nicknamed "Screaming Ethel?" The stories were endless, and I knew I had my work cut out for me.
The History:
I decided to call the current owner of the house. Nervously, i listened as the phone rang on the other end, waiting for an answer. Finally, a man answered.... I began to explain who I was and asked about the home. He was wonderful, and more than willing to share what he knew of the home. Here is some of the information obtained from Mr. Hamlin the owner and historical archives:
1857- John F. Wood moves from Essex NY to Newaygo. He leases Brooks Mill for three years
1860- Purchases 250 acres, clears 60 of the acres to build the house on the hill overlooking the city and the Muskegon River.
1864- Dec. 29th Marries second wife Elizabeth Walker Heralding from Detroit MI. Fall of the same year he was elected sheriff of Newaygo and served one term. Also he was a deacon for the First Congregational Church of Newaygo. Wood being a man of temperance was jokingly nicknamed "Whiskey Wood". It did not take long for his house atop the hill to be dubbed "Whiskey Wood Hill".
1873- Wood and Utley purchase the Graves Store.
1888- John F. Wood is struck by a train. He was taken to his home atop of the hill were he passed away a few days later from the injuries sustained. He was 67 years old.
1888-1972- Little information on this 84 year period.
1972- House was purchased by Mr. Hamlin the current owner still to this day.
written by:
Julie Eastin
all information pertaining to the history was obtained through Mr. Hamlin and the Fremont Library Historical Archives.
Whiskey Wood Hill Photo Albulm |
