The Thoreson home was built around 1910 by John Thoreson (Leonard’s grandfather) and John’s son Fred, when Fred was 16. (What Fred really wanted to make was a boat.  "Grandpa said, 'Fred, you can build a boat after you get the house done.'"  Fred eventually finished the house, built his boat (a 14’ inboard), and took it to South Manitou Island where he got work loading cordwood.)  The family had been living in the old log house that was on the farm when they bought it from John Anderson nine years earlier. 

Note the ornamental trim, now gone.  Items like this could be mail-ordered from Montgomery Wards to finish homes of this period.  Using photos such as this, the Park Service and cooperating groups like Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear and the Glen Arbor Art Association are gradually restoring Port Oneida to its historic appearance.