20% of the island is privately owned. All of the island is subject to historical preservation. Many of the large buildings, such as this one, are hotels or B&Bs. Some are still privately owned and operated as summer homes for those who can afford them. The Governor's Summer Mansion is here.

There was a tradition established by the very wealthy families of Detroit and Chicago to build huge summer homes on the island and the northern shores of the lower peninsula. One of the fascinating things about these "summer cottages" is that most have no winter insulation. They can be used only in the summer.