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Although you may have simply been looking for Michigan accommodations, when you stay at the Grand Victorian you get much, much more. Our historic inn exudes Victorian charm and is a bed and breakfast you won’t soon forget.
The Richardi House circa 1915
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In 1890, a
young man by the name of Henry Richardi began
construction of what is now recognized by experts as one of the most
perfect
examples of Queen Anne Victorian Architecture. A
successful business man and owner of the Richardi & Bechtold
Woodenware Factory of Bellaire, Henry put his heart and soul into the
home that
was intended for his German bride-to-be. But,
for reasons now lost to rumor, they never
married. Broken-hearted, Henry left
the area, leaving
his new home for future owners to enjoy. Since
Henry left the home, the “1895 Richardi House” has been blessed
with owners who have immaculately maintained the home in
its original form. In 1978,the home's
authenticity was acknowledged through its addition to the U. S.
Department
of the Interior's National
Register of Historic Places. The general public has been able to
access the home since 1989, when it became the "Richardi House Bed and Breakfast
Inn". Then new owners performed a major renovation
beginning in
1991 renaming the home "Grand Victorian Bed and Breakfast
Inn". Now, honored guests have an
opportunity to spend time in this unique home and absorb the expert
craftsmanship that
Henry originally
had intended for his young bride.
Richardi-Bechtold
Woodenware Factory - 1881
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The
U.S. history of the Richardi family begins in 1859 when Henry's father, Robert Richardi,
brought his young bride to the U.S. from Germany. Robert spent a year serving in Pennsylvania's 177th Infantry. Discharged in 1862, he moved to Ohio and
then to Missouri where he established a clothes pin making factory. Having patented several
wood designs and tools, he was already developing quite a reputation and sizable
revenue.
In
1881, Robert moved to Bellaire MI and partnered with Fred W Bechtold to build a large woodenware factory, complete with a power
generating dam on property purchased from the Railroad. The
venture was very successful, employing 145 people and pumping revenues
of $80,000 per year into the local economy.
In 1890,
the factory completely burned to the ground for a second time, only
this fire claimed Robert's youngest son, Charlie. Charlie had been
in the factory trying to salvage equipment when he died in a boiler explosion. At this point, a disgruntled Robert left the United States and turned his
sizable Bellaire holdings over to his eldest son, Henry. Being
single and in his mid twenties, Henry hoped to settle down in marriage
with a young woman from Germany whom he had met a couple
of years prior when she visited the area. In attempts to woo
her to undeveloped Bellaire, he promised to build her a most beautiful
house. His suspicions on her intentions should have been aroused when she requested he build the house first, before committing to him. Working on what was then the cutting edge, Henry installed indoor
plumbing, central gravity heat and electric lights. (Electricity in 1895??
You see, he had built a hydroelectric plant to power
lights in his wood factory located right
next door. By simply running wires to the home, he
was able to boast the county's first 'electrified'
home, albeit, using Edison's DC format.)
Regarding his marriage plans, it's not exactly known what went awry, but
the two never married. Heartbroken, Henry decided it best to leave the area, boarding
up the house and not so much as living in it himself.
Soon afterward, the home was occupied by a series of professional men and remained a private residence until 1989
when it was converted into a B&B aptly named the
"Richardi House Bed and Breakfast". Since then, several owners
have painstakingly
cared for the immaculate hand-carved
woodwork, original chandeliers, delightful fretwork, custom
fireplaces, and many huge double-hung single-pane windows. The clap-boarded home's outside, with massive ornate porches and cupola, has been meticulously restored and painted in period colors.
Since
popularized as a B&B, the Grand Victorian has received numerous
esteemed recognitions, featured on calendars, books, magazine
covers, and as a marketing icon for national advertising promotions
(please see the recognitions page).
Visitors
and guests to the Grand Victorian receive detailed tours and have opportunity to
peruse the historic photo albums that highlight the rich heritage of the area and the home.
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