Mary Stevens/Daily Mining Gazette One of the rooms in the Laurium Manor Inn.

LAURIUM — Dave and Julie Sprenger’s story with the Laurium Manor Inn begins in 1980. After visiting the former mining mansion on a whim, the pair never would have guessed they would one day own this historic beauty.

“Forty years ago, we actually came up here on our honeymoon with the idea of buying it,” Dave said. “We were out in California doing our engineering thing at that point. Thirty-five years ago we bought it, and opened it as the Laurium Manor Inn.”

The home in Laurium was originally built and owned by mining mogul Thomas Hoatson whose father was the superintendent of the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company. Despite vicious rumors being spread that he was crazy, Hoatson was able to secure enough investors to purchase a copper mine in Arizona. The venture was successful, and Julie thinks Hoatson may have built the house in Laurium as a way to say, “Look what you missed,” to those who doubted him.

“I think there was a little ego there, but it was very successful.” Julie said.

After Hoatson died, his wife took over the home. Upon her passing, it was sold to another family in 1949, when it was converted to a funeral home until 1979. The Sprengers officially bought the home a decade later.

“Those were some bad years for the inn,” Dave said. The home had been ransacked by antique dealers, who stole light fixtures, stained glass, and more. The house also had severe plumbing issues, no electricity, and only one functional bathroom.

“It was a great adventure to get it up and running,” Julie said. “We love the Keweenaw, we love what we’re doing.”

After much research and work, including hand-sewing new draperies and commissioning stained glass replacements, the Sprengers returned the Laurium Manor Inn to her former glory. They were also able to preserve the dining room’s walls, which are gilded elephant hide.

The Sprengers say they want their guests to have an authentic experience at the inn.

“We try to be correct with the furniture, the decor, so they have the correct experience of what it would have been,” Julie explained. “We leave all of the rooms open as people check in. We encourage them to walk around and look at everything…We try to make it that it’s like their house to enjoy, and it’s so fun…I want people to walk around with their coffee cup, I don’t care if they spill coffee on the floor! I want [the inn] to be this really submerged experience, and a really personal experience.”

The Sprengers have also hired a new general manager, named Kevin.

“That has been great,” Julie said. “Because Dave and I are getting of that age where we just don’t have the energy like we used to.”

However, that doesn’t stop them from putting everything they have into the inn. Julie spends many hours in the kitchen preparing meals and treats for guests, and Dave does much of the maintenance in the home.

“There’s all sorts of crazy, fun stories.” Julie reminisced. “It’s been quite the adventure all these years…Those connections have been so much fun.”