Helmer, Michigan is an unincorporated community in Lakefield Township

Lakefield Township, Luce County, Michigan

Lakefield Township is a civil township of Luce County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,074 at the 2000 census.- Communities :...

, Luce County

Luce County, Michigan

-Government:The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates themajor local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers...

 in the U.S. state

U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...

 of Michigan

Michigan

Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....

, on the northeast shore of Manistique Lake

Manistique Lake

Manistique Lake, locally called Big Manistique Lake to distinguish it from the other lakes in the Manistique Lakes system, is a lake in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. Approximately long and wide, it is one of the largest lakes in the Upper Peninsula...

, approximately 11 miles (17.7 km) southwest of Newberry

Newberry, Michigan

Newberry is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Luce County. Located within McMillan Township at its very southern end, it shares some administrative responsibilities with the surrounding township. The population was 2,686 at the 2000 census.The village was named in...

.

Rev. Mills of Newberry's Presbyterian church built a parsonage and mission house here in 1881-82. The building served as a mission until 1888 when it was purchased by Gaylord Helmer. Helmer used the building as a store and hotel, which became known as the Helmer House Inn. A post office opened March 19, 1894 with Helmer as the first postmaster. Also in 1894, the house became a stagecoach stop and Helmer added a second structure to accommodate more travelers.

In 1904, Charles and Jeanie Fyvie purchased the Helmer House Inn and store. The post office closed September 30, 1914 and became an Rural Free Delivery (RFD) station. The Fyvie family operated the store and hotel until 1950. The building fell into disrepair until being restored and reopened as a bed and breakfast

Bed and breakfast

A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...

by Dr. James H. Fyvie in 1981 to commemorate its centennial.

On January 13, 1982 it was listed as a Michigan State Historic Site and in 1983, a historical marker was erected for the site.