Stunning whole-home rental with character, great for groups, clean + convenient

See all properties

Entire home

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10241.5 sq m

Popular amenities

Dryer
Parking available
Pet-friendly
Washer
Kitchen
Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Dowagiac, MI

Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital
‪5 min walk‬
Southwestern Michigan College
‪5 min drive‬
Dowagiac Four Winds Casino
‪6 min drive‬
Niles, MI (NLE-Jerry Tyler Memorial)
‪24 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1 - downstairs

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2 - upstairs main

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3 - upstairs double

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 4 - Derby Wing

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 5 - Derby Wing

1 Single Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1 - downstairs

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Bathroom 2 - upstairs main

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Separate dining area

Outdoor play area

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Find out why guests give us glowing reviews!

We pride ourselves on being a clean, comfortable, welcoming space, as well as our excellent guest communication. We're travelers ourselves and know the experience matters!

We're close to wedding venues, Sister Lakes, Notre Dame, and much more — downtown Dowagiac's shops and restaurants are a short walk away.

Built in 1870, this whole-home rental is the best of both worlds: old-world grandeur meets today’s conveniences, like fast, reliable wifi.

*** New! An elevated outdoor deck, located just off the kitchen, gives your party a private space that overlooks the beautiful shared backyard. Enjoy your coffee outside in the morning, read a book at lunch, and grill up amazing local goods on the brand-new BBQ grill to be enjoyed on your outdoor dining table!

Located in the heart of Dowagiac, 1870 House is just a short walk from charming Front Street, full of vintage stores, sweet shops, and multiple bars and restaurants. 1870 House features a welcoming sunroom complete with swing, multiple first-floor living areas, and a formal dining room that is as stunning as it is Instagram-worthy! Two of the five bedrooms are located in the Derby Wing, which can be closed off from the rest of the house, and have desks to accommodate remote work or schooling.

Shuffleboard, anyone? The living room features a shuffleboard table and a selection of board games to keep you entertained when you're not watching one of the two smart TVs in the house.

Feel like cooking? Use the full kitchen, stocked with cookware, utensils, and basics. Don't feel like cooking? We'll share recommendations for the best of the many great options in the area.

You'll marvel at 1870 House's unique grandeur and not soon forget your experience.

We're two hours from Chicago, 2.5 from Detroit, 35 minutes from Notre Dame, 12 minutes from the Sister Lakes, and a world away from your worries.

We're within walking distance of several downtown Dowagiac shops and restaurants, and a quick drive from a variety of outdoor activities, golf courses, breweries and wineries, and many other unique attractions.

Not only is 1870 House an easy drive from several cities, but it's a 7-minute walk from the Dowagiac Amtrak stop.

Your hosts live directly across from 1870 House and are here to make sure your stay is enjoyable. After checking in, we can give you personal recommendations for things to do in the area and share a drink or coffee, or we can completely stay out of your hair unless there’s an issue. It’s totally up to you.

***Guest access
The entire home is exclusively for the use of our guests. There is a backyard that is shared with our coach house tenant (that is an entirely separate home), but our new deck, complete with BBQ grill, is for the exclusive use of our guests.

Property manager

Zena and Richard

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Have a question?

Beta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Ask a question

Similar properties

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Children welcome, but property is not childproofed

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: less than 9 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)

Approval required. Reach out if pet is 20+ lbs

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

All House Rules can be found in the Rental Agreement field. Booking our property is only permitted when acknowledging acceptance of these rules.

Note that the backyard is shared space with the carriage house tenant, who has two dogs. Please respect their privacy.

No smoking indoors whatsoever.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

About the area

Dowagiac

Located in Dowagiac, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. Park Shore Golf Course and Plym Park Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Riley-Shurte Woods Nature Sanctuary and Wilding Plant Preserve. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Dowagiac, MI

What's nearby

Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
Southwestern Michigan College - 5 min drive - 4.3 km
Dowagiac Four Winds Casino - 6 min drive - 6.1 km
Magician Lake - 14 min drive - 13.3 km
Diamond Lake - 18 min drive - 16.1 km

Getting around

Dowagiac Station - 6 min walk
South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.) - 42 min drive

Restaurants

‪Oak and Ash BBQ - ‬5 min walk
‪McDonald's - ‬12 min walk
‪Taco Bell - ‬15 min walk
‪Indian Lake Pub - ‬8 min drive
‪Burger King - ‬13 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Stunning whole-home rental with character, great for groups, clean + convenient pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Stunning whole-home rental with character, great for groups, clean + convenient?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Stunning whole-home rental with character, great for groups, clean + convenient?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Stunning whole-home rental with character, great for groups, clean + convenient located?

This family-friendly Dowagiac holiday home is located on a lake, within 3 mi (5 km) of Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital and Southwestern Michigan College. Riley-Shurte Woods Nature Sanctuary and Veterans Memorial and Beeson Street Park are also within 6 miles (10 km). Dowagiac Station is 6 minutes by foot.

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

stacy S.

12 December 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing find

Great home within walking distance to downtown Dowagiac, MI. We have a lot of family in the area that we were visiting and the home was an easy and spacious gathering point. Fun for kids and adults with shuffle board and a variety of board games. Owners were easy to communicate with and quickly responsive to questions during our stay. My young nephew (under 2) fell asleep on the car ride from the airport and owners moved our check in time up so we could transfer him into the house for a nap. Definate rent again when we are in the area.

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gail T.

21 August 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing!!!

7 cousins from Kansas City, Missouri to Birmingham Alabama met, last Thursday, at 1870's House. We stayed through Sunday. What a gracious and welcoming host me for our family!!! I felt an immediate, and overwhelming sense of calmness upon entering the front door. Grace, goodness, and beauty touched my spirit. There is a charming Sun Room on the East side, my favorite room in the house!! The hosts were kind and generous. We found a "towel room" with many more towels than was necessary for 7 cousins. More than enough toilet paper. Condiments in the refrigerator. 3 choices of laundry soap!! Gift cards to sample some of Downtown Dowagiac's finest shops. The 2 or 3 minor challenges we encountered were immediately (with-in 5 minutes) addressed and remedied by the hosts!!! I give them all grace and praise.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

James W.

24 June 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dowagiac review

Great stay. Thank you for all things

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary M.

30 April 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend wedding shower stay

Group who stayed thoroughly enjoyed the space. Couple who are medical residents really liked the wing to have time to themselves. Easy walking distance to shower venue, restaurants, shopping in sweet Dowagiac!

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen S., Chicago, IL

28 November 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A truly special property

I'm a frequent traveler who's learned over the years that not all short-term rentals are created equal. 1870 House is one of those special properties that truly stands out from the crowd. I loved 1870 House when a small group of us did a quick weekend getaway there a few years ago. This year, three generations of my family decided to meet there for a post-Thanksgiving get-together. We're based in Chicago, Detroit, and Lansing, and it was an easy drive for all of us. The house has a unique design that lends itself to people spending quality time together. People in our group would chat at the kitchen table, enjoy the in-house porch swing, do a puzzle in the formal dining room, sit on the couch and watch the smart TV, play a game of shuffleboard, or take a nap on the comfortable beds, all at the same time, without interrupting one another. We didn't take advantage of the backyard deck and grill since it was cold out, but that adds to the home's appeal in warmer months. We also cooked a lot. You can tell that the hosts put a lot of thought into stocking the kitchen and making sure we had everything we needed. One night, Grandma watched the young kids, and a group of us went on a short walk to Wood Fire Trattoria for a wonderful Italian dinner. We then capped off the night with a game of pool down the street at the Wounded Minnow Saloon. 1870 House's layout, location, and hosts made it easy for our family to create special memories. Whether you're headed to Dowagiac for a

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andy W.

1 August 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay!!

Awesome home for our family weekend. The house was well supplied from kitchen supplies/spices/coffee, more towels than we would need for a week, stacks of games, etc...We walked downtown for barbeque and shopping. Downtown has great shops and very walkable. Our hosts were very accessable before our trip and available during it. Lots of laughs and good family time was spent here. We would highly recommend this home for a stay in the area.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert B.

28 June 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

best ever

WE loved our stay,, it was perfect for what we needed, and everything was as advertised. There were several little things that the owners did that just made it special. Best we have ever stayed at.

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

PAM W.

24 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique experience for a quick getaway.

Great communication with owners. Everything we needed was there. The house was enough space to house 8 of us. Interesting staying someplace 150 yrs old, we didn't pick it specifically for that reason but was cute and unique. It was rather warm in the upstairs bedrooms, there was addl ac unit and fans but it was a bit uncomfortable, something we shld have thought about ahead of time given the age. Some wear in the house but nothing that bothered us. Close access to a great downtown and 35 min from great beaches.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Randy F.

25 December 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great old house

This was a very cool old house in a great little town of Dowagiac. The owners were fantastic. Glad they were able to accommodate the reservation within in about a two week notice. Would definitely stay here again.

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Karen S., Chicago, IL

15 November 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another perfect Pure Michigan getaway

Thank you again for a fantastic weekend. The property is spotless, the hosts are charming, and the location is perfect for what we needed for a couple of days away from our hectic lives in Chi. Will definitely be back.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Melissa C.

13 October 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Delightfully Charming Beautiful Historical Home

Our family had a glorious time staying at this beautiful historical property! The house is filled with so much character throughout. The owners have done an incredible job in maintaining all of its original historical while including all of our modern day amenities. This pristinely clean home is very spacious and comfortable. It was fully equipped with all of your daily essentials. The hosts, Zena and Richard, were readily available at all times, provided lots of information about the adorable little town of Dowagiac and nearby surrounding towns, suggested amazingly good places to eat, and provided so many personal and welcoming touches that made you feel special and right at home. Everyone in our group absolutely loved this house and we truly enjoyed our stay. We highly recommend this property and can’t wait to return with more of our family and friends! Thank you Zena and Richard for allowing our family to create wonderful long lasting memories at your lovely 1870’s home!

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Hunter S.

2 August 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent House for Larger Groups

Booking this stay couldn’t have been easier and the location/town were wonderfully pleasant and agreeable. We will definitely use this host again (and again!!)

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Desmond L.

1 August 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Can’t wait to return!

I stayed at 1870House while visiting friends on one of the lakes, just outside of downtown Dowagiac, and I’m so glad we did! It was a 15 min drive to the lake where our other friends were staying, but gave us so much more room to unwind, and bit more of an “urban getaway”, which is what we wanted. We were able to walk and get coffee, lunch, and had a couple nice dinners at the local spots. The owners were very communicative and very helpful during both the check-in process and our stay overall. I 100% will be back!

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Julia C., Naperville IL

24 July 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We were Amazed!!! Old-world home meets today’s conveniences!!!

My family and I discovered this gem last week and were so lucky to be able to book it for 3 night weekend. This home magically transfers you back in time. It was a luxury home designed in the 1800s with the modern conveniences of todays. Even my 17 and 18-year old said this was their favorite house they have ever seen. They keep asking me "When we are going back?". The curved walls at the staircase (2 of them), 12-foot high ceilings, golden dining room walls, beautiful open floor plan and large windows, original floors, windows and door frames, tranquil back porch with a large swing. The kitchen is equipped for the ones that like to cook daily, beautiful large new stove. The beds are very comfortable. Few minutes to the small downtown of this town, we enjoyed visiting the antique shop and picking up artifacts from over 100 years ago. It is only 30 min away from the great beaches, driving through beautiful green farm fields. We are going back! Thank you Zena and Richard for making this magical home available!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lisa F.

24 July 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gorgeous property!

Our family of four was looking for an easy getaway from Chicago and this was the perfect spot! The home had everything we needed and is absolutely beautiful. We also liked being able to walk to downtown Dowagiac and being close to everything Sister Lakes has to offer. We’ll definitely stay here again!

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mimi O.

14 July 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend stay

We had plenty of room and everything we needed. We spent most of our time on the side porch on the swing. Bathrooms were a little tight but worked for a weekend stay.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Margaret S.

5 July 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We’d stay here again!

We really enjoyed this house for our weekend getaway. It was fun to see an old house renovated to be clean and modern. The house is in fact beautifully renovated and while there are areas that still need some work (images and explanation were included in the listing before we reserved the rental), they did not distract from the overall feel. Some of the highlights for us: Walking distance to downtown (less than 10 minutes) Laundry Shuffle board Cleanliness Comfy beds Had everything we could think of needing I am not joking when I say this place had everything we needed. We cooked every meal, and the kitchen was decked out. There was even Tupperware for our leftovers which was convenient when we were sick of cooking and just wanted to grab something from the fridge. At this point we basically expect beds to be just okay when we rent out places for the weekend; however, this was an exception. Every bed was comfortable and very clean. The bedding was awesome. Most of us slept longer than we usually do! We’re a family that will gather on the floor for a game of cards. We were entirely confident in the cleanliness of this space to do that. It was clear that the hosts of this rental try to think of ways to make their guests comfortable.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Karen S., Chicago, IL

27 March 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great getaway in Dowagaic

We had an amazing stay at the 1870 House for a short getaway from Chicago. What a hidden gem! The beds were super comfy and there was a well-thought-out working space, which I appreciated because it was a flexcation for me - I still had to get some work done during the day while my husband and two young kids explored the area. The small but very cute downtown Dowagiac area is right there, and the main drag looks like something out of an old movie - so charming! Most importantly for us, the home was spotless. This was our first getaway in a year for obvious reasons and we felt totally comfortable. We will be back!

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

About the host

Hosted by Zena and Richard

Hi! My husband Richard and I are your hosts at 1870 House, and we're experienced renters of vacation homes as well. We treat the homes where we stay like they're our own, and we expect the same from our guests. We're all about open communication and being clear on expectations of both parties being the key to a successful stay!

Why they chose this property

This is such a special home in a uniquely charming area. We fell in love with the Dowagiac area when we decided we wanted a change of pace from Chicago that still afforded us convenient access. We bought a home here, and when the property directly across the street from us that's now 1870 House became available, it seemed like a sign! We're excited to welcome those with local ties to the community, as well as those who are new to the area and seek a wonderful new vacation destination.

What makes this property unique

We set up 1870 House to be flexible enough to meet all types of needs. There are multiple first-floor living areas that can meet any type of mood. Upstairs, the Derby Wing, which can be shut off from the rest of the house for privacy, has two bedrooms, each with its own desk and chair to accommodate those who need to work or learn remotely while staying with us. Your hosts also live directly across the street; if you've forgotten something you need, require access to a printer, etc, we can likely help.

Languages:

English

Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback

Stunning whole-home rental with character, great for groups, clean + convenient

Photo gallery for Stunning whole-home rental with character, great for groups, clean + convenient

Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1 - downstairs

Bedroom 2 - upstairs main

Bedroom 3 - upstairs double

Bedroom 4 - Derby Wing

Bedroom 5 - Derby Wing

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1 - downstairs

Bathroom 2 - upstairs main

Spaces

About this property