In and Around Houghton: Part 3: Official and "Un-official" Heritage Sites of the Keweenah

Houghton, MI  Currently 58 - fog  Low tonight  54
                       Tomorrow:  High 65  Low 55  Showers in the morning

We created our own heritage sites along with those identified by Keweenaw National Historic Park. Remember we said that we felt like every place we went we found something historically significant. Isn't that true of any place any of us might travel? We certainly found that to be true with our four "experiences" discussed earlier, for heritage is something inherited from the past, and we all have a past! So we are heritage seekers!

On our excursion west on the canal road, where we ended up seeing the Ranger III enter the canal from Lake Superior we saw this old building.

Another day we drove east on MI 26, to Lake Linden, then on county roads to the eastern shore of Lake Superior. A geocache led us to a World War II Memorial in Lake Linden, celebrating more local heritage. Driving on we found the small little town of Gay, rich with more heritage--stuff from the past!

Propellar from a B-24, "Lady Be Good"
World War II Memorial - Lake Lindon
Crewmember T/Sgt. Robert E. LaMotte from Lake Lindon

Church in Lake Lindon

Down the road to the town of Gay

Old School in Gay

There was a beautiful picnic shelter near the school, with these chain saw sculptures embedded in the posts.

Covered Picnic area featuring these fantastic chair saw sculptures, by the old school in Gay

We found this sign identifying a  stamp mill. We saw many more in our drives around the area, proving the richness of Keweewah Heritage Sites!

Brick/stone structure in Ahmeek

Eagle River Museum

The "new" (current) highway bridge over the Eagle River

We took the scenic Brockway Mountain Drive, a road constructed in 1933, now a scenic loop off of M-26. The drive is lined with low stone walls, part of the original construction of the road. Of course we have no shots of these walls!

The view from Brockway Mountain Drive--Tremendous!

View from Brockway Mountain Drive

More from Brockway Mountain View

More from Brockway Mountain View

We visited Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, after all, it has "history" in its title!

Rupert was allowed at Fort Wilkins! He enjoyed it!

Fort Wilkins Parade Grounds - by Lake Fanny Hooe

Powder Magazine 

Inside the Powder Magazine

Fort Wilkins was built on the rugged shore of Lake Superior in 1844 and represents an example of a nineteenth century military post. It became a State park in 1923. Extensive restoration work and development began in the 1930's under the Work Project Administration. It exists now as a well-preserved example of mid-19th century army life on the northern frontier. The reconstructed artifacts of the powder magazine illustrate the efforts to make this park stand out. 

Since the weather was so nice, we walked the trail around the state park, enjoying the views and the step back into history.

Nice view of Lake Fanny Hooe

Rupert agrees! 

Transportation is an important theme as one looks at heritage. All around the Great Lakes there are trails and tales of Native or "First" Americans, the fur trappers, the voyagers.... We visited the northern terminus of US Highway 41, which then winds 1990 miles south to Miami, Florida. 

Beginning of US Highway 41

Speaking of the tales and trails of those traveling this country before us, Mike found a cool book ASTORIA, by Peter Stark, a marvelously well researched book which reads like fiction of the establishment what is now Astoria, Oregon. But to get there, there is the movement of trappers through the Great Lakes, across the Rockies, to the west. This book makes fascinating reading as one explores the history of this part of the country realizing the connection to the west. We suggest this as a MUST READ!  

And of course our "host" city--Houghton, the Gateway to the Keweenah, very historical! Too much to illustrate, come see for yourselves! As Bob and Jo said, there is so much to do and see here, one just HAS to come back! 

We have more to share, stay tuned! We are SWIRVIN, catching up on our blogs in our last few rainy days here in the Keweenah!