Our History

About the Inn

The historic Schoolhouse Inn is the perfect place to stay in Baileys Harbor for history buffs, romantics and adventurers alike. You’ll love to soak in the storied history of the 105-year-old building, take in the views from your private deck and enjoy the easy walk to Lake Michigan and dozens of other must-see attractions in the area.

Meet our Family

The 1917 schoolhouse has been a part of our fifth-generation Baileys Harbor family since the acquisition of the building’s land in 1917. Today, Kristen, Caleb and their daughter Ida take great pride in continuing the family legacy through hands-on ownership and operation of the inn. We look forward to personally greeting and providing an authentic local experience for each of our guests.

A Family Legacy

Hedwig Peil

Kristen’s great grandmother

Assisted with the school’s land acquisition in 1917 and served as the building’s custodial staff.

Roland Peil

Kristen’s grandfather

Spent his entire formal education at the schoolhouse and worked on the construction crew who built the brick addition in the 50s.

Loren Peil

Kristen’s father

Attended the school and original lodging owner.

Kristen Peil

Owner

Attended school in the original building.

History of the Inn

The Baileys Harbor Schoolhouse has accumulated a storied history in its 105 years, before its current form as the seven-room inn we operate today.

1917

Current owner Kristen Peil’s great-grandmother Hedwig Peil assists in the school’s land purchase and serves as the building’s custodial staff.

Architect Fred Crandall begins work on the newly commissioned schoolhouse.

The schoolhouse operates with two classrooms, teaching grades 1st through 8th.
1950s

Kristen’s grandfather Roland Peil and father Loren Peil assist in the construction of a brick addition to the front of the schoolhouse.
1983

The building’s last class. With the school closed, the town uses the building as an office space and public library.
1989

Annie Peil, Kristen’s mother, moves her successful art and antiques business into the schoolhouse.
1990s

Kristen Peil adds a vintage clothing boutique to her mother’s existing shop.
1994

Annie and Loren Peil save the historic Baileys Harbor building from demolition by purchasing it from the town.

The first room is converted into lodging.
2003

Annie and Loren complete the renovation of the schoolhouse into a seven-room inn, completing a majority of the construction themselves.
2016

Kristen Peil and Caleb Whitney, along with daughter Ida, purchase the building in 2016.

The family continues to carry on the tradition of the hands-on ownership that has preserved the inn for the past 105 years.