The Wente Home

Born in Germany, William Wente arrived in Manistee by the mid-1860s and found employment as a bookkeeper for the sawmills of D.L. Filer. Wente continued in the role as a bookkeeper, working for various lumber companies for the rest of his life. Saginaw architect F.W. Hollister made numerous changes to Wente's home including renovating the structure into the Italianate style with a mansard roof with wrought iron-cresting as well as the addition of two towers. The Wente family continued to live in the residence through William's passing in 1915. The home was later renamed The Curtis Hotel after it was purchased by the Curtis family, who divided it up into apartments. Since then, it has remained an apartment building under various owners.