Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home was Once Home of White Water Millionaire

Well this evening I did my homework again and dug up some interesting information on this Historical Building that is now the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. We spent a few hours here waiting to have a moment of viewing to see Uncle Bob before he was to be cremated. This building is absolutely beautiful and as you will read below has alot of historical value. The inside of this place just keeps your mind wondering what is would have been like to be in this building back in the late 1800's. You truly would have had to been here to get a total understanding. If you want to take a quick virtual tour copy and paste this website in your address browser : http://www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com/companyMain.asp the virtual tour link is at the very top of the page.

TRAVERSE CITY,MI- To think that the Perry Hannah House, home to the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, was once slated for the wrecking ball would make historians everywhere shudder.
In 1891 Traverse City philanthropist Perry Hannah began construction of this magnificent Victorian dwelling at 305 Sixth Street. He spared no expense when it came to building his home and his attention to detail is evident throughout the structure. In fact, Hannah was so particular that he had the first two staircases that were installed taken out because he was dissatisfied with them. He also insisted that Tiffany's of New York use costly zinc instead of lead in all of the house's beveled glass because of zinc's durability.
As you walk through the Perry Hannah House, the first emotion you feel is awe, followed by a sense of anticipation at what the next of the 34 rooms could possibly have in store. As you gaze at the hand-cut crystal chandeliers and copper ceilings, you can't help but appreciate the craftsmanship that went into building this house. The breathtaking woodwork throughout is truly a tribute to the two master carvers enlisted for the project.
The residence has four floors, each boasting 3500 square feet. While it has always been heated with radiators and steam heat, its ten ornate fireplaces provide added warmth and a sense of coziness to this vast home. Other special features include a skylight that shines through the entranceway and a verandah that practically encompasses the entire house.
Perry Hannah owned the home until his death in 1904. His son inherited it, but died in 1905, leaving the estate to his wife, Elsie. She hung on to the property for many years until she found herself in need of funds and decided to have the house demolished. Luckily, razing the home proved too costly, so she donated it to the American Legion.
Shortly thereafter, the elementary and junior high sections of the central school were lost in a fire. The home, at that time referred to as the Legion Memorial House, was temporarily used as a grade school from October 1934 to April 1937 for those students within walking distance.
Later in 1937, the owner of the Weaver Funeral Home purchased the building, renaming it the H.L. Weaver Funeral Home, but making few changes otherwise. It became the Weaver-Walbrink Funeral Chapel in 1945, then the Reynolds Funeral Home in 1949 when Floyd Reynolds assumed ownership. Reynolds operated the business for twenty years before selling it to Fred Hanson.
On New Year's Day 1977, Jack and Maxine Jonkhoff acquired the funeral home, however, they waited six years before renaming it the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. In 1992, their son Dan and his wife Peg purchased the firm. They have kept both the interior and exterior of the funeral home virtually true to the original Perry Hannah House. They have added garages and Peg, a master gardener, has transformed the grounds into a Victorian flower garden with winding paths that invite client families and visitors alike to enjoy the peaceful beauty of nature.
Guided tours of this landmark are available weekdays by appointment. There is no admission fee for the tours, but donations are welcome. They will be forwarded to the Carnegie Library, as Perry Hannah purchased its land as one of his last gifts to the community.
The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home is Traverse City's only locally owned, family-owned funeral home and is a member of the National Selected Morticians Association and Selected Independent Funeral Homes.