WELCOME TO FORD’S TALPINE
Welcome to Ford’s Talpine! This is a historic family cottage that has been treasured for generations. Enjoy the Northwoods lake life and all the Mercer area has to offer from this convenient, cozy, location. Make the most of your trip to the Loon Capital with an abundance of recreation nearby. From the dock you can enjoy a day on Echo Lake or navigate the Turtle River to find many other waterways nearby including the Turtle Flambeau Flowage with over 12,000 acres to explore. Fishing, hunting, hiking, paddling, biking, trail-riding, and exploring in every direction. The cottage is the perfect central location for anything on your list.
History of the Cottage: The Ford family settled here in the early 1900’s and built a small cottage and what is the center section that we have preserved. Yes, they were related to Henry Ford and emigrated from England. The name “Talpine” is a play on words that came from the fact that this property had the tallest pine tree on Echo Lake and that the family wanted to bring in the word “alpine” as a characteristic of the Alps and the inhabitants of the home country. Originally, there was only a well with a hand pump outside for water and a small outhouse that is still standing (barely). There was no indoor plumbing or electricity, and the cottage was heated by oil. In the 1970’s, the first addition was added and included indoor plumbing and electricity, the two bedrooms, and the bathroom. The second addition was built in 2000 which is the large 18 x 25 front, main room finished with knotty pine, maple floors and wall to wall windows so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the lake and of course, those amazing sunsets and loon calls.
Sights to see and things to do:
· Several restaurants, bars, and novelty shops only 1 mile to town, including Looney Beans Coffee shop, The Pines which has great food and a beer garden with live bands, and the Wampum gift shop for unique, up north gifts just to name a few.
· Snow’s Family Market and Dollar General for all your grocery and shopping needs
· Carow park (across the street) has sand volleyball, basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts, a beach with swimming, kids play area, baseball diamond, and soccer field.
· Lake of the falls – some nice hiking trails and falls.
· Heart of Vilas Bike trail that starts in Mercer next to Snow’s Family Market, runs 52 miles through lakes, rivers and forests through Manitowish Waters, Boulder Junction, St. Germain, and to Eagle River.
· Saint Germain for the best go carting at Elmers Fun Park.
· Minocqua for shopping, restaurants, horseback riding, zip lining, and water ski shows.
· River’s Edge Adventure for canoe and kayak rentals.
· ATV and UTV rentals in town at B&B Adventures.
· Black River National Forest and Scenic Byway, north of Bessemer, MI in the UP. Get out and hike some of the best falls in the area all along the scenic byway. While you are there, take the ski lift to Copper Peak where you can see all the way across Lake Superior to Canada and Minnesota.
Echo Lake is a 205 acre lake with a maximum depth of 25 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. For an excellent guide to the area please check out the Mercer Chamber of Commerce. (Mercercc dot com)
Please Note:
NO PETS are allowed
NO SMOKING allowed inside the cottage
Echo Lake boat launch is just down the street, towards town
A garbage and recycling center is located at the end of the road
A laundromat is in town for any laundry needs.
Additional clean towels and bedding will be provided to guests upon request for a fee.
A one-time supply of paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap and dish soap will be provided to guests at time of arrival as a courtesy. Guests will be required to provide any additional supplies.
The shoreline is generally ok for beaching/swimming but Carow park across the street offers a beach and desirable play area for kids
This property has been treated for mosquitos, ticks, gnats, and deer flies for the entire season
