Martin Basch Farm

History

Martin Basch, a former German soldier and political prisoner, arrived on North Manitou Island with his wife in 1868. They left several children in Germany, and had two children while on the island, Anna and Martin. Martin’s brother Nichols had immigrated to the United States earlier in 1859. Martin and Nicholas Basch and Carsten Miller were immigrants from Hanover who first settled on North Manitou Island and later farmed at Port Oneida. Martin Basch purchased from another German farmer, a 100 acre parcel of land for $500 in 1883. Basch made horseshoes for farmers in the vicinity of Port Oneida. He is now known as the “master carpenter”, as he helped to build several farms and churches in Port Oneida, Good Harbor and Arcadia.

The Basch’s raised corn, beans, potatoes and fifty head of beef cattle on their farm. Potatoes, the cash crop, were sold at Cedar, and surplus corn and wheat were marketed at Crystal River. The Basch’s raised dairy cattle for their own use. At one time they had about 300-400 turkeys. At one time they had unobstructed views of Lake Michigan to the west. Only the foundation of the barn remains, located southwest of the other outbuildings. The house features unique spirit holes – decorative millwork around the windows, and a stone porch. This farmstead was in an advanced state of deterioration and was heavily vandalized after the park’s purchase. However, the skilled carpentry of Martin Basch is still evident in such exterior details as the pediments and circular gable windows. The garage, blacksmith shop, granary, corn crib and house are slowly being restored. *Resource: Farming at the Water’s Edge.

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