Here is an oil painting done by Ray Lahikainen of Houghton. It is the old Roundhouse in Houghton where is now the Shoots & Ladders Park. Painting is from around 1920 or so. He collects old photos from Tech archives etc. Then puts together an oil painting of the historic scene.

The second aerial photo is from Rick Anderson, showing the present day area where the Roundhouse was located. It's the circular drive in the lower right corner, to the left of the U.P. watermark.

Rick has promised to give us views of the peninsula all week. See more at Skypixs.com

Very nice!

I have some questions concerning the roundhouse. Wasn't it there by the bridge(R side)? That is where I always thought it was.If so what is the road running alongside it? The Chutes and Ladders Park is new since I lived there. Location?
MARLIN,how is Ray related to Dennis? An Uncle?

Nice painting of the the Copper Range Roundhouse and docks. Many tons of coal came in there and many tons of copper left. See photos of the way it was on Kevin Musser's Copper Range Railroad site. The old highway route up the hill was steeper with sharper curves when the roundhouse was still there. My Grandfather drove truck for Bridgeman & Russel Dairy for awhile during the depression. He said he commonly came down that hill with one foot out on the running board so he could bail in case the brakes failed.
At the risk of starting a cyber riot, some of us think the roundhouse was far more attractive than Shoots & Ladders.

Gee that photo of the Waterway should make the 2004 calender

What is a chutes & ladders park?

Chutes and ladders is a park with a bunch of picnic tables and grills and a beach, but it's namesake is the huge play structure. It's got all kinds of ways to get up to the top, and a bunch of slides. A picture was posted here on Pasty Cam...

TWO WOWS in ONE day! Only here!

Bee...Sarasota, FL A beautiful painting from Ray, and I am lucky enough to have one of his other paintings in my living room. He is not only a great artist, he is a GOOD man! I must agree with another writer...the sky shot of the bridge and Portage should make the 2004 calendar.

Best sky shot I've ever seen. Changed my background as soon as I saw it. I vote for the calendar too.

Anyone else having problems logging on to the Daily Mining Gazette's Web sight today or is it just me?

Both pictures are great. The skyview is a WOW and a candidate for the calendar.

Patt-Howell,Mi
I couldn't get the Gaette either.

Patt-Howell,Mi
I couldn't get the Gazette either.

Sorry about that!

Fran in GA.
Yes,Ray is Dennis's Uncle. Such a talented family. Ray's daughters are artists also.
Marlin

Rick Anderson's Photo is truly great. I would have changed my wallpaper to it, but I can't let go of the photo from the lookout so I'll keep that one. I will, however, save a copy of the Anderson photo. Chutes and Ladders park was added in the 1980's, where the round house remains were for so long. Those who wonder where it is... well, imagine that you are going out to the Houghton Breakers, the park is between the Canal Road and the canal itself! They have a campground there too. They also put a memorial at the bottom of Quincy Street in Houghton, with a lovely walkway. Could Houghton someday be like San Diego?

Nice job Ray.I see you haven't lost your touch.
Give my regards to June and the rest of the family

Your friend Byrl

Amen Paul! I would much rather see the roundhouse and coal dock as opposed to over priced condos and a kiddie play ground.

The painting is wonderful! That is one of the types of paintings that I really enjoy looking at.

paul and Joseph,
While many of us might prefer to see the roundhouse and coal dock in operation, as opposed to the current homes and park, it is undeniably a fact that the round house was no longer viable onsite. For so many years this was just an ugly blight on the landscape. I think the waterfront walk, homes and park are a vast improvement over the stamp sand and derelict remains of the past.

Ray Lahikainen is not only a wonderful painter he is also a great dad! Dad, we will see you all soon!

Ray,
Thanks so much for sharing your painting with us.
Your 'Chalk-Talk' drawings were so inspirational to all of us, when you and June were our Youth Leaders at Moody Church, Chicago.

Keep inspiring......you are so great at it!

Thanks for sharing,Ray.Greeetings to June.

Great painting Ray. Greetings to June.

Sandy in Kentucky;I belive you are the Sandy from Morton Grove,IL.that came to Dollar Bay in the 60's when we were alot younger.