History

1961

Sharon, Jim and Bob Thorpe look over their newly purchased property in Seneca, Illinois. The creek that can be seen in the left of the picture was called Spring Brook on old maps. After much deliberation about a name for the marina amongst the Thorpe family, it was decided to call the marina Spring Brook Marina after the creek.

1962

Sharon, Jim and Bob Thorpe look over their newly purchased property in Seneca, Illinois. The creek that can be seen in the left of the picture was called Spring Brook on old maps. After much deliberation about a name for the marina amongst the Thorpe family, it was decided to call the marina Spring Brook Marina after the creek.

1962 Marina

1962

Thorpe family and employee during early years of Spring Brook Marina.

1962

First slip renters in the harbor in 1962 after the harbor and docks were complete.

1962

First sign at Spring Brook Marina in 1962 at the entrance of the property.

1963

The first gas dock and restaurant at Spring Brook Marina & Yacht Sales. The restaurant was run by Ardis Thorpe, chief cook and bottle washer, with daughter, Sharon, as back up cook and waitress. Bob and Jim Thorpe waited on customers at the gas dock with back up by Ardis when they were working on other projects around the marina. Ardis also kept all the books and did all the office work.

1969

The extended first harbor, the first indoor boat storage building, the original restaurant and gas dock.

1978

Overview of the marina in 1978.

1980’s

One of the biggest changes of the property through the years included adding the west harbor now being able to handle many more slips for seasonal dockage.

2008

2008 showdock as the area dealer for Carver, Marquis, and Crusiers Yachts.

2008

Top Dealer for Carver Yachts awards through the years.

2009

2019

2019 SBM office staff and shop crew in front of the show dock. Now representing Prestige Yachts, Jeanneau Power Boats, Fairline Yachts & Barletta Pontoon Boats. New partnerships for 2019 include Pardo Yachts and Sirena Yachts.

2020

Sunrise over the property in 2020. Shown is the latest dock update. E Dock was full renovated for the 2019-2020 season with 4 ft wide floating docks and dock boxes.

2021

Spring Brook Marina updates logo and branding to Spring Brook Marine Group.

2022

Spring Brook Marine Group opens Chicago office in the heart of Chicago located in the Streeterville neighborhood just off of the Chicago River at Ogden Slip.

2023

Spring Brook Marine Group opens sales office in Muskegon, MI to serve Western Michigan boaters.

2024

SBMG Chicago office reopens after interior office re-model.

2025

SBMG opens Muskegon sales office.