• Thursday-What'sUP July 16 - 07:15 pm

I hope you're all up to another tour, as today we join Carl Kiilunen on the western end of the U.P. to visit Old Victoria, in Ontonagon County. The opening shot is the Arvola House, which serves as the visitor center for this restored ghost town...one of the first sites ever mined for copper in the New World. In case you're wondering what the young lady in the picture is carrying, we'll have to rely on Carl to fill us in on that.

The second photo is a reproduced kitchen scene, complete with one of those old stoves that produce the best baked bread you'll ever eat. Perhaps this is the stove they use at the end of June to treat the visitors to fresh cooked cinnamon rolls, since I understand they're baked in an old cook stove.

That last picture is pretty much self explanatory, although it does seem to have a bit of a tilt to it, so watch out should you decide to use the facilities! If you'd like to check out the rest of Carl's visit to this unique town, see his slideshow, over in the Guest Gallery.

rustic!

This looks like a "must see" and I will put it on my "to do" list for later this summer. This site certainly comes up with interesting things to do and beautiful places to see!

Old Victoria...simple, rugged, enduring...thanks Carl

How cool. The North Country Trail heads through there too.

Primitive.

bucolic

Llamamama was right. I can get onto PastyCam here at the Ishpeming Public Library.
I just visited Old Victoria for the very first time on a trip to the Porcupine Mountains with one of my cousins.

I just visited Old Victoria 2 weeks ago and enjoyed the homemade rolls. Walking thru the old houses is like a trip back in time. What I did notice was that the costs to maintain the site far outweigh the income generated from donations. If they don't generate further income thru donations, the future looks bleak. When you visit, please consider a larger donation than the $5 they ask for the tour. I did. It is more than just a historic site.

The outhouse is now a curiosity. However there is a functioning one at the Jacobsville chapel. There is a real brick ____house, almost hidden by trees but still visible, at the top of the Snake River Hill opposite the old store. The one at my family's former "cottage" on the Menominee River is still standing--complete with tiny half-moon and sailboat sawn out. It was used last during the 1940's.
There are books on the vanishing outhouse--check 'em out on Amazon.

Yes, the North Country Trail passes through the area. There is a trail shelter adjacent to the Victoria site.

Uncultured!

I just got back (hours ago) from a trip to the UP where, for the first time, I toured the Hanka Heritage Museum. These pictures remind me of some of what I saw there. Has anyone else toured the Hanka site? I truly appreciated the volunteer guide (Reuben) who reminded me very much of my grandfather, Henry Eino Saari. I'm still on a high from my visit!

I toured the Hanka Homestead about 12 years ago and bought the book about it. We had a very enjoyable time at the well-kept farm. Coming UP today!

Does the stovepipe next to the outhouse mean that they were heated??