The History of Dunewood

Until 1949, Dunewood was an undeveloped tract of forest, dunes and lakefront, with no homes or roads. Ownership of the land was snarled in estates and trusts. David Andreason, a realtor with offices in Sawyer, Michigan, had a dream of developing the area for lovers of woods, water and sand. 

Natalie Jordan and her two unmarried sons, Robert and Horace, while recovering from the hardships of World War II, were looking for a summer home on the shores of Lake Michigan. By good fortune they called upon David Andreason for help. He explained his dream and walked them over the land. Hope prevailed over common sense and the Jordan’s paid for the first lake lot for which there was no access, no survey, no title, and no deed.

Their optimism pushed them forward, providing the seed money for clearing the title, obtaining a survey and building roads. Andreason proved to be a wise developer, who worked in harmony with nature and planned for the future. The roads were designed to fit the landscape. Attorney Robert Small of Benton Harbor drafted the deeds with provisions designed to insure a harmonious and cooperative community. 

Dunewood was born! The Jordan’s built and occupied the first home in the summer of 1950. The original development of lake-front and adjacent lots sold quickly and soon lovely homes were blended into the landscape. And so it was that David Andreason became affectionately known as the “Patron Saint of Dunewood.”

These pioneers of Dunewood felt a legal obligation to organize an association. On September 2, 1956, after most of the initial lots had been sold, Dr. and Mrs. Voita opened their home for a general meeting. A committee chaired by Dr. Earl Crawshaw prepared a constitution that was adopted on July 6, 1957.

Plans were made to develop 52 acres of wooded hills still owned by the Bos-Hughes heirs. The death of Mr. Andreason in 1967 left a vacuum and the Bos-Hughes property was in jeopardy of being sold for sand mining. If that happened the dunes could have been stripped off and the bare flats that remained could have been subdivided into a large number of small lots, all with access to the beach easements. Overcrowding could have destroyed the whole concept of Dunewood.

Quick action was taken to prevent this - a committee consisting of Jerry Mason, Gene Parker and Horace Jordan was appointed. With the legal counsel of Robert Small, a corporation known as Dunewood II was formed and 33 shares were sold at $3500 each and purchased by the members of Dunewood during the summer of 1968. The 33 sales provided the necessary funds to buy the tract from the Bos-Hughes heirs. The purchase included two lake-front lots, which were sold to provide funds for roads, surveys and legal expenses. The remaining 31 lots were appraised by a realtor at equal value. Stockholders drew for lots on August 28, 1970, deeds were issued, and the corporation was then dissolved. All lots became a part of Dunewood, they were sold to newcomers, and fine new homes were fitted into the wooded hills. A formal resolution was passed by the Association: “To Mr. Mason, Mr. Jordan and Dr. Parker – “Thank you! All Dunewood is grateful.”

In the early seventies another crisis arose in Southwestern Michigan: land values were rising rapidly and developers were buying sizable tracts for second homes to be built on minimum sized lots. Two huge corporations continued their sand excavations in Bridgman, both south and north of Lake Street, despite citizens’ frantic efforts to stop them.

There remained just one un-platted tract in Dunewood, consisting of approximately thirty beautifully wooded, hilly acres, owned by Earl Gray. Earl promised, at an annual Dunewood meeting, that the land would never be sold during his lifetime for sand mining; however its destiny remained uncertain. Dunewood members decided that an effort should be made to buy the property from Mr. Gray, and divide it into a small number of generously sized lots in keeping with the rest of Dunewood. 

Temporary committees, following the procedure used in developing Dunewood II, did the exploratory work and found the project feasible. Negotiations for the purchase of the property proceeded over several months, spearheaded and temporarily financed by Robert DuBois, Edgar McCollum and Joseph Johnson. Mr. Gray died and his heirs had to be persuaded to sell the property as well as seven additional choice lots in Dunewood. The estate finally accepted an offer of $165,000.

On May 2, 1976, with the legal counsel of Robert Small, a corporation was formed with Robert DuBois as President, Joe Johnson as Vice-President and Louise Christensen as Secretary-Treasurer. Articles of Incorporation were filed May 17, 1976 and the Corporation began its work. Richard Walsh prepared a contract for the purchase and on September 8, 1976 the sale was completed. This tract temporarily became known as Dunewood III.

The Construction Committee made up of Joe Johnson and Robert Jordan tramped through the woods and over the hills for days and weeks. With the help of John Macsai, the acreage was staked and readied for platting by the Barger Engineering Company.

The Real Estate and Rules Committee, chaired by Leonard Grossman, decided to keep the deeds uniform with all the others in Dunewood. The Committee then devised and carried out an ingenious plan for distributing lots to the shareholders: shareholders were given three weeks to look at lots, make a choice, and convey their choice to Leonard. He pinned the individual’s name on the space shown for the particular lot on a large plywood plat made by Joe Johnson and displayed in the Grossman’s courtyard. Bidding started on the lot with the most interested bidders. After one person bid high enough to win the lot, the unsuccessful bidders then could move their names to other lots, and bidding continued on the next most desirable lots. In this way, people who lost the bid had an equal chance with everyone else to bid on their next choice. The procedure continued until all of the lots were purchased. 

The program was completed and the final plat recorded on July 10, 1979, almost three years after the land was purchased. The officers and committee members of the Corporation spent countless hours in carrying out their mission.  However, work was greatly complicated by the Michigan Subdivision Act, which had just gone into effect. This required numerous meetings with State, County and City Boards and Commissions. Some were productive but many were frustrating and tedious. The reward for this hard work was the satisfaction of preserving all of the Dunewood area. The Corporation was dissolved on November 9, 1979. The birth pangs of Dunewood III were soon forgotten, as beautiful homes began to dot the wooded hillsides.

Dunewood was now complete! It forms a nice symmetrical rectangle on the map of Michigan. Let us forget it was once three areas. After all there can be only ONE DUNEWOOD! Dunewood is unique!

There have been many changes and developments in Dunewood since its beginning in 1950 – some popular, some not so well liked, some cyclical, some almost irreversible. The number of homes has gone from 1 in 1950 to 120 in 2019. Along with that, we have seen the number of year-round residents increase from 2 in the '60s to 19 in 2019 (down from 22 in 2003). The homes being built today are larger and more substantial than many of the “redwood cottages” built in earlier times. Additions are being built, houses, as they are sold, are torn down and larger ones constructed. 

In 1995 came the advent of street names for all shared driveways, as well as street numbers for each home. This ended the use of Lot Numbers. Roads have been paved in various increments, when it became more cost effective than fixing the gravel roads. The first paving was done in 1977 when the North Fork was paved. Paving of Dunewood Drive, as well as the improvement of some dangerous corners, was completed in 1998 making about 2/3 of our roads paved. In keeping with the increasing pace of our times, the speed originally limited in the by-laws to 15 MPH was increased to 20 MPH. Speed bumps, dips and signs have come and gone in an effort to protect walkers, serenity and wildlife. 

The foot-bridge connecting the ends of Woodland Drive and Dunewood Drive was constructed in 1974, by Joe Johnson and his Boy Scouts. A lovely walking path connecting Woodland and Dunewood was inaugurated in the '70s. Thanks to the Wistreichs, Kimmels and Grossmans. Later in 1995, a bench was placed on this path donated by the Maryanskis, enabling us to pause and relax in pleasant and peaceful surroundings.

Township and city water came into Dunewood in 1977 and 1989 respectively, and it was a great improvement. Much of the well water previously used was not of the highest quality. Along with city water came fire hydrants that provide us with much needed fire protection. Cable TV came in 1989 and was another addition to make life more comfortable. Natural gas was brought into Dunewood in the mid 90s, providing more efficient and economical heating. Gas eliminated the need for unsightly propane tanks and high electric bills. The sanitation plaza dumpsters were finally removed in 1993, after years of problems. They were indeed the main topic of conversation at every annual meeting - those who were not here at that time have no idea what a step forward that was!

The growth and development of Dunewood has also had some very major crises. In the late 60s a great effort was launched to prevent the building of the Cook Nuclear Power Plant. Years were spent trying to stop it, however, the Plant became operational in 1973 and most of us would agree that it is a very good neighbor.  Its presence helps keep our taxes as low as they are! In 1981 a big crisis occurred when the possible growth of sand mining operations at the North-East corner of Dunewood threatened us again. A committee was formed, funds were allocated for the fight and the threat was eliminated. 

Our most recent crisis occurred in 1995, when the non-operating sand mining property was close to being sold for a gambling casino development. Many members of Dunewood worked to stave off yet another undesirable neighbor. That effort ultimately culminated in the property becoming the lovely golf facility, Lost Dunes. Lost Dunes has become a good neighbor and the beauty of the area has been preserved. Through the years, we have also battled natural invaders.

• The high water levels in 1952, 1972-76, 1985-88, 1998, & 2019 causing great bluff erosion, loss of stairs etc. (Luckily, this condition ebbs and flows!)
• The periodic dead alewives on the beach dating back to the mid 70s, which we used to battle with rake and shovel, are now cleaned up by the mechanized beach-cleaning machine we’ve been using since 1998.
• The zebra mussels, garlic mustard, poison ivy, black ants, oak wilt, skeletonizer, etc. 

Recreation has progressed from the annual sailboat and catamaran races to personal water craft such as jet-skis and the currently popular kayaks. Social activities have always been one of the things that keep those of us in Dunewood a family; working and playing together, enjoying beach walks, nature talks, picnics, potlucks, road clean-up days, annual dinners, house walks, dinner-theater group, ladies monthly luncheons, Saturday night cocktail party-dinner group, and our highly attended annual breakfast. 

Down through the years, Dunewood’s main attractions have always been our pristine beaches, gorgeous sunsets, the peaceful woods in all of its four beautiful seasons, and the varied flora and fauna of the area. We have seen a gradual increase in the number of deer, fox, coyote, and certain birds. 

In 1989 the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (now known as the “DEQ” - Department of Environmental Quality) was empowered through the Critical Dunes Act to further regulate development along Lake Michigan shores, assuring us that we will be protected from any reckless destruction of the dunes. Even though the act has created additional restrictions regarding improvements to our homes, on the whole, it does protect us from unbridled construction.

In 1984, a Dunewood Logo Contest inspired the creation of the Dunewood logo we still use today. The inspiration for the logo was the view one has when lying on the Dunewood beach, looking off into the sunset as sailboats pass by and the lowering sun's reflection glistens on the water. Originally (as seen in the tri-fold brochure below) the logo included a font chosen specifically because it represented the strength of the Dunewood forest along with the waves of the waters of Lake Michigan.

Many have gone before us in the development of Dunewood; some remain, while other names have disappeared from our rolls. Due to hard work and foresight, their spirits remain as a tribute to their labors. Dunewood remains a very special place. By working together we can keep our precious corner of the world as close to the Dunewood of 1950 as possible!