The Fern Hill Cottage, a historic Lake Michigan shoreline retreat built in 1919 by a Chicago inventor, offers a rare opportunity to own a well-preserved, relaxing lakefront property on Big Platte Lake, renowned for its pristine water, fishing, and river access to Lake Michigan. The current owners have maintained its vintage charm with cedar siding throughout, panoramic windows, and outdoor spaces, while updating key areas like the kitchen, baths, and mechanical systems. Additions to the cottage expanded the living space and have turned this quaint cottage into a sprawling rambler home usable year-round. Located near Sleepy Bear Dunes, Frankfort, and Point Betsie Lighthouse, the cottage provides convenient access to the region's wineries, charming towns, and outdoor attractions, making it an ideal blend of historic charm and modern comfort in Northwest Michigan. This unique investment will bring years of enjoyment and a lifetime of Northern Michigan memories.
Platte Rd to Birch Pt. Birch Pt. to Birch Drive
Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed. Copyright 2026 MichRIC, LLC. All rights reserved.
Thomas A Rumble, EXP Realty LLC
Big Platte Lake is located in Benzie County near the village of Honor in Northwest Lower Michigan. It is approximately 3.3 miles long and 1.6 miles wide, covers approximately 2,550 acres, has a maximum depth of 95 feet and an average depth of 24 feet.
Little Platte Lake is 147 acres and empties into the Platte River via a relatively short low gradient channel locally known as the Deadstream of the Platte River. It is shallow throughout the basin with a maximum of depth of 2.4 m (8 ft). Most of the aquatic vegetation observed at the time of an MDNR survey was submerged and situated along the eastern shoreline. Only a small portion of its northern shoreline borders the National Park.
Both Platte Lakes are only minutes away from beautiful Lake Michigan, on the edge of the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Nearby recreation includes golf, tennis, hiking, bicycling, tubing and hunting. Fish include northern pike, coho salmon, steelhead, small mouth bass, and others.
The Platte Lakes are some of the most desirable lakes in Benzie County because of their close proximity to Beulah, Frankfort, and the greater Grand Traverse area. The lakes are considered to be more affordable in comparision to other similar lakes in the surrounding counties and with their pristine natural beauty many people have claimed these as their Home Waters.
For more information on Platte Lakes real estate contact REALTOR Vince Edwards at vince@homewaters.net or call 231-715-9037.
Platte Lake Links:
Benzie County Chamber of Commerce