In June of 1997, the Clark Lake community floated the historic Graziani house from Kentucky Point down Clark Lake to its current site in the Jackson County Park at Clark Lake. The 100 year old house now begins a new life for the whole community to enjoy.
The summer of the move was a good one - like all others at Clark Lake, Michigan, but involved a lot of hard work and the raising of nearly $100,000 to fund the move. The Clark Lake community worked together to overcome many obstacles to complete the move in order to preserve a piece of Clark Lake’s history.
There were skeptics who were sure the old house would fall into the water, and others who argued that the project diverted funds from a proposed bike trail around Clark Lake. But ultimately, the community raised the necessary funds to go ahead; $50,000 for the move, $10,000 deposited with the county in case the project failed (funds in escrow to tear down the house) and $100,000 to begin converting the house into a community center.
On June 15, 1997, the moment of truth arrived. Hundreds of spectators stood on the shore and witnessed the 2500 square-foot house float down the lake, escorted by a sea of community supporters on all types of water craft.
Today the old Graziani cottage has been transformed into a beautiful community center under the watchful eye of the Clark Lake Community Center board. Today it sets on a grassy knoll, presiding over a lake it has called home for over 100 years.