The Whitcomb Senior Living Tower

11/27/2025

This throw back begins in 1873 . .

When Chicago was packing up one of its biggest attractions—the Inter-State Industrial Exposition (1873–1891)— The crowds were gone, the exhibits were closing, and one gorgeous fountain, the Maids of the Mist, was suddenly up for grabs.

Enter H.E. Bucklen: real estate mogul, patent medicine maker, owner of the Whitcomb Hotel… and apparently a man with an eye for a bargain. He purchased the fountain for a jaw-dropping $500. Not a bad deal considering 15 years earlier the purchase price was $5000.

So what happened next? Bucklen had the fountain shipped across the lake and strategically placed it where his Whitcomb guests could admire it while enjoying a walk along the bluff—long before the building we know today even existed. And just like that, St. Joseph received a treasured gift—a glamorous fountain straight from Chicago’s big expo stage. One day it was dazzling crowds in a massive exhibition hall… the next it was soaking up lake breezes on our bluff. Not a bad upgrade.

More than a century later, the Stone Maidens are still standing tall in Lake Bluff Park—welcoming generations of residents and visitors alike. At The Whitcomb Senior Living, we love that same spirit of elegance and community. Just as H.E. Bucklen brought a piece of history and beauty to St. Joseph, today our residents enjoy a vibrant life full of culture, connection, and the timeless charm of the bluff.

P.S. Next Friday, Dec. 5, it’s time for Light Up The Bluff in St. Joseph, MI! Our fair maidens will shine bright, showing off their glow as the true stars of the show. ✨

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, we’re giving a special shout-out to the heart and soul behind our holiday meals—our incredible Food & Beverage staff! From early mornings to late nights, they work tirelessly to prepare delicious, comforting meals that bring our residents and guests together.

Thank you to our amazing kitchen team for filling our dining tables and our hearts with joy this Thanksgiving! 💛

11/27/2025

Have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving.

11/22/2025

What a Magical Day at The Whitcomb!

Today’s social hour was all about luminaries as we prepared for tonight's Luminary Festival right outside our front door! 🎉 Residents enjoyed live music from the talented Bryan Edington , indulged in delicious appetizers, and danced the afternoon away.

As evening fell, several of us strolled through downtown to admire the stunning luminaries and explore shops brimming with holiday cheer. It truly was a perfect evening filled with twinkling lights, a festive holiday trolley, bustling shops, and live music, all complemented by amazing holiday specials!

✨ Just another reason why living at The Whitcomb is such a joy—being a part of all the festivities right in our own backyard! 🏡❤️

11/21/2025

History Alert!

The Whitcomb, once known for hosting celebrities, also opened its doors to remarkable political figures — including former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, her sons Elliott and James Roosevelt, and Vice President Charles Fairbanks.

Vice President Fairbanks visited on September 16, 1907, attending a reception hosted by the Berrien County Republican Party. His appearance drew a large crowd as he delivered a memorable address at the Silver Beach Pavilion.

Decades later, on January 25, 1940, Elliott and James Roosevelt made an unexpected stop at the Whitcomb during a snowstorm while traveling through Michigan — a moment locals still enjoy remembering.

Eleanor Roosevelt herself later visited to address an Economic Club event, captivating the audience with her poise, insight, and warmth. For this special occasion, the hotel arranged for members' wives to work as waitresses so they could attend the event — a charming detail of local history.
👉 If you are a descendant of any of these enterprising women, we’d love to hear your family’s name!

The Whitcomb Hotel has long been a gathering place for political dialogue, inspiration, and community connection. Today, The Whitcomb Senior Living Tower carries that legacy forward.

Living here isn’t just choosing a senior living community — it’s choosing to live in a place where history matters.
The same spaces that once welcomed trailblazers like Eleanor Roosevelt now welcome seniors embracing the next chapter of their lives.

The Whitcomb is more than a building — it’s a legacy, and every resident becomes part of its ever-growing story.

Special thanks to Chriss Lyon - Author, local author and retired supervisor of the Berrien County Public Safety Communication Center, for helping preserve and share this remarkable history.

11/20/2025

At The Whitcomb, we are always looking for new recipes and fresh ideas to delight our residents. Today we hosted our annual Food Show, where our culinary team sampled a wide variety of dishes, ingredients, and menu options from local and regional vendors. It was a fun and flavorful afternoon as we explored new possibilities for future meals. Our goal is to provide a delectable and nutritious dining experience. We look forward to bringing some of these new recipes to our residents in the coming months.

Send a message to learn more

11/18/2025

🎨❄️ This afternoon at The Whitcomb was filled with creativity, laughter, and a whole lot of holiday spirit!

Some of our residents embraced their artistic side painting fall wooden door hangers, others enjoyed a few lively games of Euchre, and a determined group was hard at work tackling a 500-piece puzzle.

No matter the activity, it was a relaxing and fun afternoon spent with friends. Classic Christmas music played in the background, and before we knew it, we were all singing along. ❤️🎶

It’s moments like these that make The Whitcomb feel like home.

11/18/2025

🗣️Now accepting applications. We currently have 2 memory care apartments available for rent and 2 assisted living apartments available. If you know of anyone or have additional questions, please contact us. 😊

11/14/2025

🌾🎶 What a fantastic social hour today! The Flashbacks rocked the house with their incredible performance, and the energy was contagious! 🎉

Residents were clapping along, dancing, and truly enjoying every moment.

Our theme for today was scarecrows, adding a whimsical touch to the atmosphere. It was heartwarming to see everyone letting loose and having a great time together!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special occasion. Can't wait for the next one! 💖🥳

11/14/2025

On May 5, 1928, a significant piece of local history was unveiled inside the recently completed Whitcomb Hotel in St. Joseph. Four esteemed, elderly local women presented a mural, which was installed as part of the fireplace decorations at the east end of the hotel's spacious and elegant lounge, now known as The Marquette Room.

This striking panel of paintings was the fulfillment of a vision shared by four prominent St. Joseph women and the Women's Chamber of Commerce: to contribute something beautiful and valuable to the city. The mural vividly depicts Father Jacques Marquette and the explorer Louis Joliet paddling across the vast expanse of Lake Michigan in birch bark canoes, with a recognizable view of the corner of Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph Harbor visible in the background.

The unveiling ceremony featured Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Preston, Mrs. Alonzo Vincent, and Mrs. Stratton, all women with deep connections to the city's early history. Mrs. Vincent was the widow of Alonzo Vincent, who had managed the Old Hotel Whitcomb and founded the Vincent Hotel in Benton Harbor. Mrs. Preston was the widow of W. A. Preston, an early lumber manufacturer. Mrs. Graham was the widow of E.A. Graham, a co-founder of the Graham and Morton Transportation Company. Mrs. Stratton was the widow of Dr. R.F. Stratton, a respected medical doctor and community leader who died in the early 1900s.

The mural was painted by Vincent Aderente of New Jersey, who was initially contracted for a single large picture but ultimately added the two side panels. Notably, the depiction of the explorer is an exact copy of the only authentic portrait of Père Marquette, which, in 1928, was displayed in the Museum of Canada in Montreal.

Funds for the project were raised by the Women's Chamber of Commerce. At the ceremony, Mrs. Minnie Kaltenbbrun, president of the group, formally presented the mural to Mayor L. A. King. Mayor King, in turn, presented it to J. O. Wells (included in a Facebook post on Oct 16), the president of the Whitcomb Hotel. According to a plaque on the wall, the mural was presented to the citizens of St. Joseph and loaned to the Whitcomb Hotel.

11/13/2025

🎶 Today our residents enjoyed a special treat—a visit from the senior center choir! They had everyone singing along to “Sweet Caroline” and filling the room with joy. What a wonderful way to brighten the day! 🎵💛

11/12/2025

For those of you who were unable to attend our Veterans Day Tribute, the video we showed today is now available to view on our Youtube channel, The Whitcomb Connect. Click below to hear Whitcomb veterans share stories from their time in service. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv1p-XT_r4OIqD2uylwGaIA

While you're there, make sure you "like" our content and "subscribe" to our channel. We are very proud of The Whitcomb veterans.

Welcome to The Whitcomb Connect— where history lives through the voices of our residents. From cherished memories to remarkable life journeys, each story reminds us of the courage, humor, and heart that shaped our community. Join us as we celebrate the people who make The Whitcomb more than a plac...