Photo: Stacy Williams, Harsens Island Photography LLC

On behalf of the Harsen's Island St. Clair Flats Association and all its members, we would like to express our deep sorrow for last week's tragic loss of six beautiful, memorable homes at The Old Club. Our hearts break for all of the families and their guests that have made so many cherished memories in these structures. We are grateful that everyone is safe and that there's hope through restoration plans that the spirit of these homes will live on for future generations.

Official Statement from The Old Club:

The Old Club is devastated to see the most iconic and historic gems of Harsens Island, the candy-colored boardwalk cottages that have stretched to the tip of the island for decades, succumb to destruction by fire on March 8, 2023. There were thankfully no injuries other than to our hearts.

The Board of Directors are securing a professional team of environmental specialists to advise on clean up and mitigate any environmental impact of this disaster. We are also engaging engineering expertise to begin rehabilitation of the site.

Six housing structures of historic significance that have long been family cottages were lost today. But we intend to restore the property back to its historic charm. The Old Club celebrated its 150 Year Anniversary last season and this unfortunate setback, while heartbreaking, will not deter us from continuing a century and a half of tradition.

Wendy Anglin
General Manager/COO
The Old Club