The History of Hotel Iroquois
1885 — A Blacksmith's Fortune
Robert Benjamin relocated his family to the tranquil shores of Mackinac Island to serve as the local blacksmith. After a couple tough seasons, Benjamin’s blacksmithing business eventually became incredibly successful. In fact, it even earned Benjamin a small fortune.
1902 — A House on Biddle Point
With his newfound wealth, Benjamin began constructing a beautiful residence for his family near Mackinac Island’s Biddle Point. The three-story home displayed a blend of beautiful Victorian architectural motifs that were still popular at the time.
1903 — Too Close to the Water
Construction concluded after several months, and the Benjamin family moved into their new house. However, Robert Benjamin’s wife could not stand living so close to the water. The two subsequently put the house up for sale and moved into a neighboring cottage further inland on Market Street.
1904 — The Iroquois on the Beach
Several months then passed before the structure was finally purchased by Samuel Poole and his own family. But Poole subsequently renovated the building into a stunning hotel known as the “Iroquois on the Beach.” He had hoped such a business would thrive, hosting the growing number of tourists who had started to visit frequently.
1919 — Alicia Poole Takes the Helm
Samuel Poole’s daughter Alicia inherited the Iroquois on the Beach and took over as its dedicated manager. The hotel proceeded to emerge as one of the area’s best destinations, thanks in no small part to Alicia Poole’s adept stewardship. (Alicia herself remained the owner of the hotel for many years thereafter).
1954 — The McIntire Years
Married couple Sam and Margaret McIntire bought the Iroquois on the Beach and operated it lovingly over the next several decades. A former Michigan State Trooper, Sam had wanted to find a peaceful line of work and collaborated with his wife to acquire the historic hotel.
1960 — A National Landmark
The U.S. Secretary of the Interior listed the hotel as a contributing structure within its National Historic Landmark District for Mackinac Island. The citation was an amazing acknowledgement of the structure’s significant connection to the greater history of the region.
2020 — The Cottons Arrive
Having operated as sole owner for many years, Margaret McIntire agreed to sell her beloved hotel to Jon Cotton of Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Cotton had been a guest of the hotel during the McIntire family's tenure as owner and pledged to preserve the traditions they had created. Two years later, he returned to Hotel Iroquois to marry Lauren, and the couple exchanged vows on the property in 2022. Today Jon and Lauren Cotton own Hotel Iroquois together, and they carry forward the same care and stewardship that guided every family before them.
2023 — Historic Hotels of America
Now known as the “Hotel Iroquois,” the destination was inducted into Historic Hotels of America. The official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the organization celebrates and recognizes the finest historic hotels, inns, and resorts across the United States.
2026 — The Cotton Collection
Official launch of the Cotton Collection. Hotel Iroquois now stands alongside a family of historic hotels and restaurants across Northern Michigan and Mackinac Island, all brought together by Jon and Lauren Cotton since 2020. The collection includes Harbour View Inn, Hotel Perry, and Bay View Inn, plus waterfront restaurants like the Carriage House, The Pier, and Weathervane. Each property keeps its own name, history, and character. For Hotel Iroquois, that means the story that started with a blacksmith's fortune in 1885 continues, now under owners who married on the same grounds.
The Cotton Collection