The Lions Club - Lawton Community Center and Heritage Museum

This historic building was built in 1903 for the Grape Juice Company of Lawton. It changed hands a few times before ending up with William Houppert in 1933 who turned it into a winery. In 1940 an ember from a passing train landed on the roof and caught the place on fire. Fire departments from the area were called on to help fight the battle. Even Kalamazoo was called out but the wooden structure was essentially lost.

Houppert tried to rebuild but it never opened up again. The rebuilding was predominantly done with field stone that area farmers brought to the site. Mr. Houppert sold the facility to Warner Vineyards around 1944 or so. Eventually Warner’s quit using the building and it fell into disrepair. The Lawton Lions Club purchased it in 1990 and did a total renovation of the building. Members of the Lions Club and the community spent three years working on the project and it opened as a great location for weddings, receptions and parties as well as events by other non-profits organizations. The Center can be reaced at 269 624-2371

The museum is located in the lower wine cellar and opened in 1998 as a non-profit organization. Since then, it has doubled in size and and celebrates the history of the area grape and wine industry.

The Museum does not have regular hours, but tours are given upon request to any group regardless of size. There is no charge but a donation is appreciated.

For tour information, call Bruce Marks at 269-624-1474