Over 50 Years of Family Fun!
Meguzee Point (where White Birch is located) has always been a summer retreat. Because of its proximity to Grand Traverse Bay, Elk Lake, and Elk River, the land that White Birch Lodge rests on was a summer camp for Native Americans. Occasionally, arrowheads are still found on the grounds.
Near the turn of the century, the original lodge building was erected and was known as the Meguzee Point Hotel. In the mid 1950s, the hotel was closed until Cliff and Ruby Conrad purchased it in 1958. With a vision, Cliff and Ruby built White Birch Lodge into one of Michigan’s premier lakefront family resorts. Although they have passed on, Cliff and Ruby’s dream still lives on today, as White Birch continues to provide family vacations in a style different from just about anywhere else in the world. Cliff and Ruby would be thrilled to see the lodge still flourishing after 50 wonderful years, and we're all happy that you'll be here to help us celebrate the anniversary! Next Generation Conrads
Cliff and Ruby Conrad ran White Birch until their son Rick and his wife Karen took over in the 70’s. Today Rick, Karen, and their two kids, Mike and Lauren, work together to keep the lodge tradition rolling, with the help of many important people like you! Rick and Karen both grew up in Maumee, Ohio and moved to Michigan permanently after college. Karen taught elementary school for 25 years here in Elk Rapids until she recently retired. Rick and Karen’s favorite part of every summer is getting to know the staff and assuming the role of your summer parents. Mike and Lauren both graduated from Michigan State University. Mike, the lodge manager, oversees mostly everything around the lodge. Lauren has spent time traveling, studying, and working all over Latin America. Both Mike and Lauren have spent time during the Winter in Jackson, WY as ski instructors at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Lauren currently lives in Jackson and works as the program manager at Habitat for Humanity.
