Please help save a piece of Michigan lake history!
In 1976 longtime Indian Lake (Vicksburg, MI) resident & WWII veteran, Jim Bogard, painted his boathouse with the '76 Flag as a tribute to America's Bicentennial and to all the veterans who've served our country. Fifty years later the current boathouse owners, Anita & Tim McBride, are committed to preserving this piece of Indian Lake history, one of the oldest remaining structures on the lake, to honor America's upcoming 250th birthday.
Architectural plans & a rendering (see above) have been presented to Brady Township officials, but they have been rejected. Instead, Brady Township has ordered the demolition of this iconic landmark.The McBride's will fight this decision and take it to the Brady Township Zoning Board of Appeals.
Please sign this petition to tell the people running Brady Township (Vicksburg MI) to approve the appeal and Save the Indian Lake '76 Boathouse
Updates
February 16, 2025
I never imagined this boathouse meant so much to so many people outside our immediate neighborhood. Your stories about seeing the flag from the water remind me why protecting our local history is so vital.
February 16, 2025
I am honestly overwhelmed by the way so many of you have stepped up for this boathouse. I never expected this much attention for a little piece of local history, but it clearly means as much to you as it does to me.
Reached 100 supporters
February 16, 2025
51 Comments
Iconic piece of our lake's history! As kids we always loved canoeing with grandpa to go see the Spirit of '76 on Indian Lake! He would never leave until we sang the National Anthem! Great childhood memories for me that I continue sharing with my kids. Let's keep Jim's original vision alive for the next generation to enjoy!
We have been regular visitors to your beautiful Indian Lake Community for over 15 years and the history of the Boathouse is part of the fabric of the lake. The new owners are desiring to renovate and replace the boathouse with an updated version that will still celebrate America and our upcoming Tri Centennial as well It should be easy for the commission to support their request
There is no other structure like the historic and nostalgic 76 boathouse- we have lived on the lake for over 70 years and want the 5 th generation of our family to see it and hear all our wonderful stories of “ The Boat House”!
It seems punitive to order the demolition of a lake landmark when the owners are committed to restoring this piece of history. It seems a more appropriate action would be to offer a timeline to have the restoration completed. Please consider any other option rather than demolition.
My great grandmother, Hildgarde Smink, bought the lot in 1915 for $350. In the 69+ years I have been alive, we were at the lake every summer and the boathouse was never an issue. At one point in time, the boathouse was actually in the water and housed a CrisCraft inboard. It was subsequently moved onto its current location, probably in the early sixties. My grandparents, my immediate family have never had an issue with the boathouse. The property in currently by myself, Mike McBride & Tim McBride. The 3 of us and our families continue to enjoy our time. Our view of the lake has never not included the boathouse. My father, Jim, and brother Mike, are Marine veterans, who were grateful for the simple gesture of the flag, on the boathouse.
Please save it! We enjoy it being on our lake
Please help restore and preserve this modest but majestic bit of our collective 777fhistoric heritage.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Please help save a piece of Michigan lake history!
In 1976 longtime Indian Lake (Vicksburg, MI) resident & WWII veteran, Jim Bogard, painted his boathouse with the '76 Flag as a tribute to America's Bicentennial and to all the veterans who've served our country. Fifty years later the current boathouse owners, Anita & Tim McBride, are committed to preserving this piece of Indian Lake history, one of the oldest remaining structures on the lake, to honor America's upcoming 250th birthday.
Architectural plans & a rendering (see above) have been presented to Brady Township officials, but they have been rejected. Instead, Brady Township has ordered the demolition of this iconic landmark.The McBride's will fight this decision and take it to the Brady Township Zoning Board of Appeals.
Please sign this petition to tell the people running Brady Township (Vicksburg MI) to approve the appeal and Save the Indian Lake '76 Boathouse
Updates
February 16, 2025
I never imagined this boathouse meant so much to so many people outside our immediate neighborhood. Your stories about seeing the flag from the water remind me why protecting our local history is so vital.
February 16, 2025
I am honestly overwhelmed by the way so many of you have stepped up for this boathouse. I never expected this much attention for a little piece of local history, but it clearly means as much to you as it does to me.
Reached 100 supporters
February 16, 2025
51 Comments
Unless the Township can answer to Eminent Domain and 75 years of being a "grandfathered piece of history, perhaps the Township can find better issues to challenge. How about stopping the polluting of Indian Lake from the 23 storm drains that pour directly into the lake, fix the railroad crossing at E. UV and 26th and pave Highview and other roads around Indian Lake that are in disrepair with hundreds of potholes. Leave the Indian Lake Boathouse alone and tackle much more important issues.
Iconic piece of our lake's history! As kids we always loved canoeing with grandpa to go see the Spirit of '76 on Indian Lake! He would never leave until we sang the National Anthem! Great childhood memories for me that I continue sharing with my kids. Let's keep Jim's original vision alive for the next generation to enjoy!
We have been regular visitors to your beautiful Indian Lake Community for over 15 years and the history of the Boathouse is part of the fabric of the lake. The new owners are desiring to renovate and replace the boathouse with an updated version that will still celebrate America and our upcoming Tri Centennial as well It should be easy for the commission to support their request
There is no other structure like the historic and nostalgic 76 boathouse- we have lived on the lake for over 70 years and want the 5 th generation of our family to see it and hear all our wonderful stories of “ The Boat House”!
It seems punitive to order the demolition of a lake landmark when the owners are committed to restoring this piece of history. It seems a more appropriate action would be to offer a timeline to have the restoration completed. Please consider any other option rather than demolition.
My great grandmother, Hildgarde Smink, bought the lot in 1915 for $350. In the 69+ years I have been alive, we were at the lake every summer and the boathouse was never an issue. At one point in time, the boathouse was actually in the water and housed a CrisCraft inboard. It was subsequently moved onto its current location, probably in the early sixties. My grandparents, my immediate family have never had an issue with the boathouse. The property in currently by myself, Mike McBride & Tim McBride. The 3 of us and our families continue to enjoy our time. Our view of the lake has never not included the boathouse. My father, Jim, and brother Mike, are Marine veterans, who were grateful for the simple gesture of the flag, on the boathouse.
Please save it! We enjoy it being on our lake
Please help restore and preserve this modest but majestic bit of our collective 777fhistoric heritage.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Unless the Township can answer to Eminent Domain and 75 years of being a "grandfathered piece of history, perhaps the Township can find better issues to challenge. How about stopping the polluting of Indian Lake from the 23 storm drains that pour directly into the lake, fix the railroad crossing at E. UV and 26th and pave Highview and other roads around Indian Lake that are in disrepair with hundreds of potholes. Leave the Indian Lake Boathouse alone and tackle much more important issues.